Get into the cozy Fall spirit with these Pumpkin Spice Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting! These moist and fluffy pumpkin muffins are full of warm spices and topped with a rich, creamy frosting that takes them over the top. Whether you’re looking for a comforting breakfast, a festive dessert, or a sweet snack, this pumpkin muffin recipe with cream cheese frosting is a must-make.
Simple, delicious, and oh-so-yummy-these pumpkin muffins with cream cheese frosting are the perfect treat for pumpkin lovers. Honestly, I'm a pumpkin-all-year kind of gal. I don't wait for Fall to roll around to start baking! When the craving hits, I whip up a batch of my Pumpkin Bars, Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread, Libby's Pumpkin Bread, or these homemade pumpkin spice muffins. They're perfect for breakfast on the go, packed in a lunchbox, or served as an afternoon pick-me-up with a hot cup of coffee. And if your kiddos love baking, this is a great recipe to let them help with!
Ingredient Notes
Here's a quick breakdown of what you'll need to make these irresistible pumpkin spice muffins with cream cheese frosting. These pantry-friendly ingredients come together to create perfectly spiced, moist pumpkin muffins that are easy to make and hard to resist! See printable recipe card at bottom of the post for full directions.
Pumpkin Muffins
- Flour - Regular all-purpose flour gives these muffins their soft, fluffy texture. You can use a 1:1 gluten-free blend if needed.
- Baking Soda & Salt - These help the muffins rise and balance out the sweetness.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice & Cinnamon - Essential for that classic fall flavor! These spices give the muffins their warm, cozy taste.
- Unsalted Butter - Adds rich flavor and keeps the muffins moist.
- Pumpkin Puree - Make sure it's pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling. This is the star of the show and gives the muffins their signature flavor and moisture.
- Light Brown Sugar - Sweetens the muffins while adding a hint of caramel-like flavor.
- Eggs - Help bind everything together and give structure to the muffins.
- Greek Yogurt - Adds extra moisture and richness. You can sub with sour cream if preferred.
- Vanilla Extract - A splash of vanilla enhances the overall flavor and adds a bakery-style touch.
Streusel Topping
- Flour - All-purpose again, to create that crumbly texture.
- Brown Sugar - Gives the streusel topping its sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor.
- Cinnamon - Adds even more cozy spice flavor throughout the topping.
- Butter - Melted to bring it all together into a crumbly mixture you can easily sprinkle on top.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- Cream Cheese - Use full-fat and softened cream cheese for the richest, creamiest frosting.
- Powdered Sugar - Also called confectioners' sugar, this sweetens and thickens the frosting.
- Vanilla Extract - Adds a delicious vanilla flavor to the frosting.
- Milk - Just a splash helps you reach your desired frosting consistency. Any kind (including dairy-free) works here!
How to make Pumpkin Spice Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly coat with nonstick spray. Mom tip: I love using a silicone muffin pan- no liners or spray needed, and the muffins pop right out!
In a large mixing bowl, beat the melted butter and light brown sugar together until smooth.
Add the eggs, vanilla extract, pumpkin puree, and Greek yogurt. Mix until everything is well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, gently folding the mixture until just combined. Don't overmix-it can make your muffins dense instead of fluffy! Let the batter rest at room temperature while you prepare the streusel.
In a small bowl, stir together flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Pour in the melted butter and mix with a fork until crumbly.
Scoop the muffin batter into your prepared tin, filling each cup about ¾ full. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the tops.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of milk. Beat until creamy and smooth, adding more milk if needed to reach your desired consistency.
Once muffins are completely cool, add frosting to a piping bag.
Spread or pipe desired amount of frosting onto tops of muffins.
Serve and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Pumpkin Spice Muffins
- Mix just until the dry ingredients are incorporated. Over-mixing leads to dense, dry muffins instead of the light, moist pumpkin muffins we all know and love.
- For evenly sized muffins that bake up nice and round, use a large cookie scoop or ice cream scoop. Fill each cup about ¾ full to get that perfect dome shape.
- We know it's tempting, but don't frost while warm! The cream cheese frosting for pumpkin muffins will melt if the muffins are still hot, turning your cute treats into a gooey mess.
- Want to customize your homemade pumpkin spice muffins? Fold in up to ½ cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, raisins, or mini chocolate chips for extra texture and fall flair.
- Top your frosted muffins with a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, chopped nuts, or even a few pumpkin seeds for a festive finish.
Storing Spiced Pumpkin Muffins
Because of the cream cheese frosting, these muffins need to be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They'll stay fresh for up to 1 week. For best results, let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften the frosting a bit.
These muffins can be frozen for up to 6 months. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and pop them in a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge.
More Pumpkin Recipes You’ll Love
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Pumpkin Spice Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Muffins
- 1 ¾ cups flour all-purpose
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 ½ cups pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Streusel Topping
- ¾ cup flour all purpose
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-3 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line muffin tin with liners or grease well.
- In a large bowl, beat melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Mix in eggs, vanilla, pumpkin puree, and Greek yogurt.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix. Let batter rest.
- For the streusel: Mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir in melted butter until crumbly.
- Fill muffin cups ¾ full. Sprinkle with streusel topping.
- Bake 18-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Make the frosting: Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Beat until creamy.
- Once muffins are cool, frost with a piping bag or spread with a spoon. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- These pumpkin muffins can be made ahead and frozen (unfrosted) for up to 6 months.
- Store frosted muffins in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Add-ins like chopped nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips can be mixed into the batter.
Catalina says
I baked these for my family and they were gone by the end of the day. Soft, moist, and full of fall flavor!
Kristin says
Love hearing this! Definitely a Fall favorite muffin in my house!!
Mahy says
My only problem is that I can’t stop devouring these. They are THAT good – yum!
Kristin says
Love hearing this!! So glad you enjoyed!!
Angela Campos says
These Pumpkin Spice Muffins with Cream Cheese frosting were a huge hit with the family!! Looking forward to making them again…YUM!!!
Kristin says
Yay! Glad you all enjoyed!!
Amy says
It’s time for pumpkin spice muffins! The cream cheese frosting is simply divine.
Kristin says
Couldn’t agree more! Glad you enjoy too!!
Janie says
Anything with cream cheese frosting is worth making. This pumpkin spice muffins is the perfect recipe keeper for the fall season!
Kristin says
Couldn’t agree more! Such a favorite in my house!
Maria says
The frosting really makes these muffins pop. We loved them.
Kristin says
My favorite part! Glad you enjoyed!!
Beth says
I love this so much! I’m all about pumpkin everything when fall starts to approach, so I’m all in on this!
Kristin says
Hope you enjoy as much as we do!!