If you’ve been searching for a bakery-style treat that’s as delightful for breakfast as it is for dessert, these Cream Cheese Muffins will steal your heart (and probably your last crumb). Imagine a muffin so plush and moist, with a gentle tang from the cream cheese and a sweet crunch on top, that every bite feels like a little celebration. They bring together the rich depth of cheesecake with the easy portability of a muffin — the ultimate match! Whether you’re baking for a family brunch, prepping snacks for the week, or whipping up something special “just because,” Cream Cheese Muffins are sure to shine on your table and win everyone over, bite after fluffy bite.

Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Cream Cheese Muffins lies in their handful of kitchen staples — nothing fancy, but each ingredient brings something essential to the party. These muffins owe their unique richness and light, velvety crumb to this particular combo, so don’t skip or skimp!

All-purpose flour: The base of the recipe, providing the perfect structure and tenderness for your muffins.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the muffins and encourages a beautiful golden color.
Baking soda and baking powder: A small amount of each ensures the muffins are perfectly risen and soft inside.
Salt: Just a touch, to balance and intensify the sweet and creamy flavors.
Cream cheese (8 oz, softened): The star ingredient, which gives these muffins their signature dense, creamy, almost cheesecake-like texture.
Unsalted butter (softened): Adds flavor and helps make the crumb luscious and moist.
Eggs (2 large): Bind everything together and provide lift and richness.
Milk (1/2 cup): Keeps the muffins light and tender, while blending the flavors seamlessly.
Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Rounds out every bite with sweet, aromatic notes.
Coarse sugar (optional): Adds a crunchy, sparkly topping if you like a little extra texture.

How to Make Cream Cheese Muffins

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Muffin Tin

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, giving you the perfect temp for muffins that rise high and stay tender. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or a light coat of nonstick spray. This ensures your Cream Cheese Muffins will pop out effortlessly with no sticky bottoms to worry about.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Take a moment to combine these thoroughly — this helps distribute the leaveners and salt evenly, so every muffin bakes up just right.

Step 3: Blend the Cream Cheese and Butter

In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. This step is where the magic happens for that signature texture: make sure both are soft for ultra-easy blending and a cloud-like base for your batter.

Step 4: Add Eggs, Milk, and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, letting each incorporate fully before adding the next. Stir in the milk and vanilla extract, transforming your creamy base into something rich and pourable — it’s already smelling amazing!

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry mixture into your wet ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula just until combined. Resist the urge to overmix — a lumpy batter is perfectly fine and actually ensures your Cream Cheese Muffins stay super soft and tender once baked.

Step 6: Fill, Sprinkle, and Bake

Spoon the batter evenly into your muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 of the way full. If you love a little sparkle and crunch, sprinkle a touch of coarse sugar on top. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until a toothpick poked in the center of a muffin emerges clean. Let them cool for 5 minutes in the pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely — if you can resist diving in immediately!

How to Serve Cream Cheese Muffins

Garnishes

These muffins look lovely straight from the oven, but a little extra something never hurts. Dust them with a swoosh of powdered sugar, add a dollop of whipped cream, or top each with a fresh berry for a pop of color and flavor. Even a drizzle of honey or berry compote can make your Cream Cheese Muffins feel downright decadent.

Side Dishes

Cream Cheese Muffins pair beautifully with a simple fruit salad, a fresh mug of coffee, or a creamy yogurt parfait. If you’re going for a brunch spread, serve them beside savory egg dishes or smoked salmon for that irresistible sweet-and-savory contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

Hosting a special brunch or gifting a batch? Try baking mini muffins for a bite-sized version, or serve with decorative muffin wrappers for a festive touch. You can even slice them in half and spread with fruit preserves, lemon curd, or extra cream cheese for a build-your-own muffin bar. These simple tweaks turn classic Cream Cheese Muffins into real showstoppers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, store your Cream Cheese Muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer freshness, refrigerate them; they’ll stay delightfully moist and flavorful for about 5 days. Just be sure the container is tightly sealed — you don’t want them drying out!

Freezing

If you’d like to prep ahead or save some for later, Cream Cheese Muffins freeze beautifully. Wrap each cooled muffin individually in plastic wrap and pop them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep their texture and flavor for up to three months, making them a great grab-and-go treat for busy mornings.

Reheating

To reheat, simply microwave an individual muffin for about 15 to 20 seconds until just warmed through. For that freshly-baked crispness, a quick 5 minutes in a 325°F oven does the trick. Just avoid over-warming, as muffins can dry out if left in too long.

FAQs

Can I add mix-ins like fruit or chocolate chips?

Absolutely! Add up to one cup of blueberries, chocolate chips, or even chopped nuts right after combining the wet and dry ingredients. Fold them in gently to avoid overmixing — it’s a delicious way to customize your Cream Cheese Muffins!

Why use both baking powder and baking soda?

The combination of both leaveners helps these muffins rise evenly, creating a lovely, fluffy texture without being too airy. Each reacts slightly differently, giving you the best of both muffin and cheesecake worlds.

Can I use reduced-fat cream cheese?

You can, but keep in mind that full-fat cream cheese gives the richest flavor and creamiest texture. Reduced-fat cream cheese will yield slightly lighter muffins, but they’ll still be tasty!

Can I make Cream Cheese Muffins gluten-free?

Yes, swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The texture may be a bit more delicate, but the muffins will still turn out delicious and moist if you use a high-quality blend.

How do I know when the muffins are done?

Check by inserting a toothpick into the center of a muffin; if it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, they’re ready. The tops should feel springy to the touch, and the aroma will be irresistible!

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend these Cream Cheese Muffins enough — they’re the perfect go-to for treating yourself and the people you love, any time of day. With their creamy centers and golden tops, they’ll win you over from the first bite. Give them a whirl and let the muffin magic begin!

Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 6 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 12 muffins 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in these moist and flavorful Cream Cheese Muffins that are reminiscent of a cheesecake in texture. Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, these muffins are easy to make and irresistibly delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Cream Cheese Mixture:

8 oz cream cheese (softened)
1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping:

Coarse sugar for topping (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a 12-cup muffin tin.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In another bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in milk and vanilla.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
Bake: Divide batter into muffin cups, sprinkle with coarse sugar, and bake for 18–22 minutes.
Cool and Serve: Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.