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Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Muffins

Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Muffins

Soft pumpkin muffins with a sweet cinnamon swirl baked inside and finished with a smooth cream cheese drizzle. These cozy fall muffins bring together the flavors of pumpkin pie and classic cinnamon rolls in an easy beginner-friendly recipe.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

Pumpkin Muffin Batter
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup melted butter
  • ⅓ cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon Swirl Filling
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
Cream Cheese Drizzle
  • 4 ounces softened cream cheese
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk

Equipment

  • 12-cup muffin pan
  • Paper muffin liners
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Electric mixer (optional for drizzle)
  • Toothpick for testing doneness

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners and prepare all ingredients before mixing.
  2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in a medium bowl.
  3. In another bowl, combine pumpkin puree, sugars, eggs, melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir gently with a spatula until combined. Avoid overmixing because it can make the muffins dense.
  5. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until a thick cinnamon mixture forms.
  6. Add pumpkin batter into each liner, sprinkle with cinnamon mixture, then cover with more batter until each cup is about ¾ full.
  7. Bake for 18–22 minutes until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Allow muffins to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before adding the drizzle.
  9. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth and pourable.
  10. Drizzle over cooled muffins and serve fresh.

Notes

  • Use pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, for the best flavor balance.
  • Do not overmix the batter because pumpkin muffins become heavy when the gluten develops too much.
  • The cream cheese drizzle should be added after cooling so it stays smooth.
  • For extra fall flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the cinnamon mixture.
  • Store muffins in an airtight container for 3 days at room temperature or up to 5 days refrigerated.