Step 1: Prepare the Muffin Batter
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease the cups.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. Once combined, add the eggs and vanilla extract, and whisk until smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, and stir just until combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter—you want it light and fluffy!
Step 2: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Filling
- Mix the Filling: In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until it forms a thick paste. This will be your delicious cinnamon swirl!
Step 3: Layer and Swirl
- Layer the Muffins: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the pumpkin muffin batter into the bottom of each muffin cup. Then, drop about 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon sugar filling on top of the batter.
- Swirl: Add another spoonful of batter on top to cover the cinnamon filling. Using a toothpick or a knife, gently swirl the batter and cinnamon sugar filling together to create a marbled effect.
- Top with More Filling: For extra cinnamon goodness, sprinkle a small amount of the cinnamon sugar filling on top of each muffin.
Step 4: Bake the Muffins
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool: Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 5: Make the Cream Cheese Glaze
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable. If the glaze is too thick, add a little more milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Drizzle the Glaze: Once the muffins have cooled slightly, drizzle the cream cheese glaze over the top of each muffin for a finishing touch of sweetness.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can make the muffins tough. Stir just until the ingredients are combined for a light, fluffy texture.
- Pumpkin Puree, Not Pie Filling: Be sure to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which is pre-sweetened and spiced.
- Double the Cinnamon Filling: If you’re a cinnamon lover, you can double the amount of cinnamon sugar filling for an even more decadent treat.
- Glaze Options: If you prefer a simpler glaze, you can skip the cream cheese and make a basic powdered sugar glaze by mixing powdered sugar with milk and vanilla.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Muffins bring together the best of both worlds: the soft, spiced warmth of a pumpkin muffin and the gooey cinnamon goodness of a cinnamon roll. The cream cheese glaze adds a tangy sweetness that elevates the muffins to indulgence-level delicious.
Whether you’re enjoying them with a cup of coffee in the morning, serving them for a special brunch, or treating yourself to a sweet snack in the afternoon, these muffins are guaranteed to become a fall favorite. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make and come together in under an hour!
Final Thoughts
Pumpkin season is always something to look forward to, and these Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Muffins are the perfect way to celebrate it. They’re soft, flavorful, and wonderfully spiced, making them ideal for cozy mornings or as a special treat to share with friends and family. The combination of pumpkin, cinnamon, and cream cheese glaze is simply irresistible.
Give these muffins a try, and enjoy the ultimate fall treat that will have everyone asking for the recipe!