If you’re a fan of irresistible breakfast treats, you’re going to fall in love with Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins. Imagine the magic of a cinnamon-swirled muffin, with a luscious, tangy cream cheese center that just melts when you take a bite. These muffins offer a perfect combination of soft, fluffy crumb and an oozy, sweet filling, crowned with a buttery cinnamon-sugar topping. Every bite feels like a cozy morning hug, no matter what time of day you enjoy them!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The best part about Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins is that you only need a handful of simple, pantry-friendly ingredients. Each component plays its part—the base gives a fluffy texture, the filling adds creamy richness, and the topping brings the extra sparkle. Here’s what you’ll need, plus some handy tips for ultimate flavor:
- All-purpose flour: This forms the structure of your muffins, ensuring a tender crumb every time.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens both the batter and filling, enhancing the classic muffin flavor.
- Brown sugar, packed: Adds moisture and a touch of caramel-like depth to the muffins.
- Baking powder: Helps the muffins rise and stay delightfully fluffy.
- Baking soda: Adds an extra lift when combined with the other wet ingredients.
- Salt: A must for balancing all the sweet and spice notes.
- Ground cinnamon: Stars as the familiar, comforting spice that gives these muffins their signature kick.
- Milk: Brings everything together and adds softness to the crumb.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the muffins moist and light, and is easy to mix in.
- Large egg: Binds the mixture for a perfect, cohesive muffin.
- Vanilla extract: Gives warmth and depth to the entire muffin.
- Cream cheese, softened: The heart of the gooey center—make sure it’s at room temperature for easy blending.
- Granulated sugar (for filling): Sweetens up the tangy cream cheese perfectly for a balanced bite.
- Butter, melted (for topping): Helps the cinnamon sugar stick while adding richness.
- Sugar mixed with cinnamon (for topping): Delivers that irresistible sweet and spiced finish everyone loves.
How to Make Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Muffin Tin
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or give it a generous spritz with nonstick cooking spray. This ensures your muffins come out easily and look bakery-perfect—no sticking, no breaking!
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, both sugars, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Whisking not only combines everything thoroughly, but it adds just a little air to the flour, keeping your Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins extra light and fluffy.
Step 3: Blend the Wet Ingredients
Grab a separate bowl, and add the milk, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract. Give it a good mix until the ingredients are completely combined. This mixture is going to help your dry ingredients blend smoothly for a perfectly tender muffin base.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Pour your wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Stir gently—just until everything is moistened. Resist the urge to overmix! A few streaks of flour are okay. This is the little secret to making super fluffy Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins.
Step 5: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
In a small bowl, blend your softened cream cheese and sugar until beautiful and smooth. Chilling the filling before assembling makes it easier to scoop, so pop it in the fridge for a few minutes if it gets too soft.
Step 6: Assemble the Muffins
Fill each muffin cup halfway with your batter. Then, drop a generous spoonful of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each cup. Top with the remaining batter to cover completely. This layering creates that dreamy, gooey surprise inside every muffin.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Slide the muffin tin into your preheated oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted near the edge comes out clean (but avoid sticking the toothpick through the cream cheese center).
Step 8: Top with Cinnamon Sugar
While the muffins are still a little warm, brush their tops with melted butter. Immediately roll or sprinkle them with that heavenly cinnamon sugar mixture. This adds a gorgeously sweet crunch and boosts the cinnamon aroma in your Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins.
How to Serve Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins
Garnishes
For a little extra flair, dust the tops of your muffins with a bit more cinnamon sugar or a light drizzle of vanilla glaze. A sprinkle of powdered sugar looks elegant and adds a snowy finish to your Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins.
Side Dishes
These muffins shine alongside fresh fruit, a parfait, or even a warm cup of spiced chai latte. Their gooey center pairs perfectly with a tangy yogurt bowl or crispy bacon for a brunch spread that’s both balanced and indulgent.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins on a beautiful cake stand at a brunch table, or tuck them into a basket lined with a checkered napkin for a rustic brunch-at-home vibe. For gifting, wrap them individually and add a hand-tied ribbon—they make the sweetest treats to share with friends and neighbors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For the freshest taste, go for refrigeration if you plan to keep them longer—the gooey center stays luscious!
Freezing
If you’d like to stock up (and you should!), wrap cooled Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins individually in plastic wrap, then pack in a zippered freezer bag. They freeze beautifully for up to two months—perfect for breakfast emergencies or sudden cravings.
Reheating
To recapture that fresh-from-the-oven magic, simply warm muffins in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. The cream cheese filling turns gooey again and the tops get perfectly soft.
FAQs
Can I use low-fat cream cheese for the filling?
Absolutely! Low-fat cream cheese works well if you’re after a lighter treat, though the full-fat version will give you the richest, gooiest center for your Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins.
How do I prevent the cream cheese from sinking to the bottom?
Chilling the cream cheese filling helps! Make sure to place it right in the center of the batter, then fully cover it before baking so it doesn’t sink or leak out.
Can I make Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins gluten-free?
Yes, simply swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend. Just make sure all other ingredients are gluten-free, and keep an eye on baking time.
Do these muffins need to be refrigerated?
They can sit at room temperature for up to two days, but for the freshest and safest results—especially with the cream cheese center—store any extras in the fridge.
Can I add nuts or raisins?
Of course! Mix up to ½ cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, or golden raisins into the batter for extra flavor and a delightful crunch in your Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re whipping up a batch for a cozy weekend or to share with friends, these Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins are guaranteed to be a new favorite. With their gooey centers and cinnamon-spiced aroma, they’re nearly impossible to resist. Give them a try—you might find yourself making them again and again just for the sheer joy of it!
Print
Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins are a delightful treat that combines the warm flavors of cinnamon with a creamy, sweet cream cheese filling. Perfect for breakfast or as a sweet snack, these muffins are sure to please your taste buds!
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients:
- ¾ cup milk
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Topping (optional):
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- ¼ cup sugar mixed with ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare muffin tin.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, mix milk, oil, egg, and vanilla extract.
- Mix batter: Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Prepare cream cheese filling: Blend cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- Fill muffin cups: Spoon batter into muffin cups, add cream cheese mixture, then top with remaining batter.
- Bake: Bake for 18–22 minutes until done.
- Finish: Brush with butter, roll in cinnamon sugar.
Notes
- Keep cream cheese filling chilled for easier handling.
- Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
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