Go Back
+ servings
Gluten-free pumpkin cream cheese muffins on a countertop with a bite taken out of one of them.
Print

Meaningful Eats

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins (Starbucks Copycat)

18 muffins
Every fall, I find myself wishing I could try the famous pumpkin cream cheese muffins at Starbucks.
I took my all-time favorite gluten-free pumpkin muffin recipe and turned it into a cream cheese–filled, pumpkin seed–topped version that’s every bit as irresistible as the original. I hope you love it too!
Course baking
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chill Time 20 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

For the filling:

  • 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, room temperature
  • cup (66g) granulated sugar
  • Pumpkin seeds for topping

For the muffins:

  • cups (225g) gluten-free measure-for-measure flour
  • ¼ cup (25g) almond flour
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (106g) brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 15-ounce can (425g) pumpkin purée
  • 2 large eggs
  • cup (80ml) neutral oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

  • Line two standard muffin pans with paper baking cups.
  • Make the filling: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag (no tip needed) and snip the end.
  • Make the muffins: In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, almond flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, vanilla, and lemon juice.
  • Add the pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula until just combined and no dry streaks remain.
  • Using a kitchen scoop or large spoon, portion the batter evenly into the baking cups, filling each about ¾ of the way full.
  • Insert the piping bag tip into the center of each muffin and pipe about 2 tablespoons of filling while pulling upward. Sprinkle pumpkin seeds around the edges of each muffin.
  • Refrigerate the muffins for 20 minutes before baking. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  • Bake the muffins for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the muffin (not the filling) comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  • Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Gluten-Free: Use a high-quality gluten-free measure-for-measure flour with xanthan gum. This is my favorite brand!
Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free cream cheese for the filling.
To Store: Keep muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 
To Make Ahead: Assemble muffins up to the chilling step. Then cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bake as directed.
To Freeze: Once completely cooled,  store muffins in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Let muffins thaw at room temperature overnight, or defrost for about 30 seconds to 1 minute in the microwave to enjoy.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 225mg | Potassium: 75mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 34IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 1mg