This pumpkin muffin recipe (Starbucks style) is gloriously moist, packed with cosy warming spice, filled with a tangy cream cheese mixture, and topped with crunchy pepitas.
¼teaspoonbicarbonate of sodabaking soda in the U.S.
1teaspoonbaking powder
100gdemerara sugar
60ggranulated sugar
For the Homemade Pumpkin Spice*
⅛teaspoonginger powder
⅛teaspoonnutmeg powder
½teaspooncinnamon powder
⅛teaspoonclove powder
⅛teaspooncardamom powder
For the Cream Cheese Filling
200gcream cheese
1tablespoonsugar
1teaspoonplain flourall-purpose flour in the U.S.
For the Toppings
1tablespoondemerara sugar
2tablespoonspumpkin seedspepitas in the U.S.
Instructions
In a large bowl, add 160 g plain flour, ¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1 Pinch salt through a sieve. Next, add the 100 g demerara sugar and 60 g granulated sugar. Mix everything to combine.
Make the homemade pumpkin spice mixture with ⅛ teaspoon ginger powder, ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg powder, ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder, ⅛ teaspoon clove powder, and ⅛ teaspoon cardamom powder. Add to the bowl and mix again.
In a separate bowl, add 200 g pumpkin puree, 1 egg, 60 ml olive oil, and ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract. Whisk.
Add the pumpkin, egg, oil, and vanilla mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Don't overmix!
Cover the bowl with a lid and rest for at least 30 minutes — preferably an hour.
30 minutes before baking time, preheat your oven to 200℃ (392℉).
In a small bowl, whisk 200 g cream cheese, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon plain flour together until smooth. Add the mixture to a piping bag with a large round 16mm tip**.
Add bakery-style liners to your muffin tray and evenly spoon the batter into eight holes. Leave spaces between the muffins (this allows for a better rise).
Take the cream cheese piping bag and insert the nozzle into the batter. Squeeze the mixture until it comes to the top. Repeat for all the remaining muffins.
Sprinkle a pinch of 1 tablespoon demerara sugar (or coarse sugar) on top of each muffin. Next, add a sprinkle of 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds on top of each muffin.
Place the muffin tray into your preheated oven (middle shelf, uncovered). Bake for 12 minutes, then reduce the heat to 180℃ (356℉), slide a cover on the top shelf (to avoid over-browning) and bake for another 10 minutes. The muffins are done when a toothpick comes out clean (be sure to insert it into the muffin, not the cream cheese filling).
Let the muffins cool completely before removing them from the tin.
Notes
* Don't have these spices? No problem. Substitute for 1 teaspoon of storebought pumpkin spice.** If you don't own a piping bag, you and spoon the cream cheese mixture on top, but the filling won't reach as deeply into the muffin.