Oh, you’re going to love these Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe! I absolutely love how they turn out — tender pumpkin-spiced muffins with a surprise cube of cream cheese inside and a crunchy cinnamon streusel topping that’s just divine. Every bite offers a cozy mix of sweet and spice, perfect for fall mornings or any day when you want a little extra comfort with your coffee.
What makes this Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe really special is that it pairs the warm flavors of pumpkin and cinnamon with a luscious honey butter that’s so easy to whip up. I always find that these muffins work great for weekend brunches, holiday breakfasts, or even a reassuring afternoon snack. Plus, the cinnamon honey butter adds that little touch that makes them feel downright irresistible.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: The pumpkin and spices create warm, comforting notes that taste like fall in every bite.
- Cream Cheese Surprise: That creamy cube inside each muffin adds a delightful tangy richness you don’t expect.
- Crunchy Streusel Topping: The cinnamon sugar streusel adds a crunchy texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft muffin.
- Cinnamon Honey Butter: This homemade topping elevates the muffins with a sweet, spiced butter that melts perfectly on warm muffins.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To get these Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe just right, you’ll want to gather some classic pantry staples paired with fresh pumpkin puree and a few special touches like cream cheese cubes. Choose good-quality butter and real pumpkin puree for the best flavor and texture.
- Salted Butter: Melted for the batter and softened for the cinnamon honey butter, gives richness and moisture.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a deep caramel sweetness, essential in both the muffins and streusel.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavors with its warm, floral notes.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and provide structure.
- Pumpkin Puree: The star ingredient that brings moisture and that unmistakable pumpkin flavor.
- Milk: Keeps the batter smooth and tender.
- All-purpose Flour: The base of the muffin and the streusel—don’t skip or substitute with a gluten-free option unless you adjust other ingredients!
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Help the muffins rise beautifully.
- Cinnamon & Pumpkin Pie Spice: The dynamic duo for warming spices that scream autumn.
- Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all flavors.
- Cream Cheese: Cubed and pushed into each muffin for that decadent surprise.
- Honey: Sweetens the cinnamon honey butter naturally.
Variations
I’m a big fan of mixing things up to suit tastes or what’s on hand. You can easily customize the Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe to keep things interesting, whether you want to dial up the spice, cut back on sugar, or make them gluten-free.
- Gluten-Free Option: I’ve swapped regular flour for a gluten-free blend with great results—just make sure to keep the same ratio and add a binder if your blend doesn’t include one.
- Nutty Streusel: Adding chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel is one of my secret ways to add crunch and complexity.
- Dairy-Free Butter Alternative: Use coconut oil or vegan butter to make the muffins and cinnamon honey butter vegan-friendly.
- Extra Spice Kick: When I want a stronger spice flavor, I add a pinch of ground ginger and cloves to the batter for a little extra warmth.
How to Make Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Mix the Batter
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a muffin tin with paper liners—this helps the muffins release easily after baking. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth and shiny. Then add the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully mixed before adding the next. Next up, stir in pumpkin puree and milk; the batter will become creamy and luscious. Finally, fold in the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt—on low speed just until combined. Don’t overmix here; you want to keep the muffins tender!
Step 2: Make the Streusel Topping
In a separate bowl, mix the flour, packed brown sugar, and cinnamon together. Then add cold, cubed butter and use your fingers to pinch it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This little bit of elbow grease creates that irresistible crumbly topping that bakes to golden perfection.
Step 3: Assemble Muffins and Add Cream Cheese
Spoon the batter evenly into your muffin liners, filling each about three-quarters full. Now here’s the fun part—I push one cube of cream cheese right into the center of each muffin. This ensures a creamy, melty surprise inside every bite! After that, sprinkle the streusel topping generously over the muffins so it bakes into a crunchy, cinnamon-sweet crown.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted near the edge of the muffin (but not in the cream cheese) comes out clean and the tops are golden brown. Resist the urge to open the oven too frequently, or they might sink. Let them cool just a bit before serving so the cream cheese filling sets slightly.
Step 5: Whip Up the Cinnamon Honey Butter
While your muffins bake, stir together softened butter, honey, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl until smooth. I love how this simple spread adds a sweet-spiced richness that melts over a warm muffin beautifully—trust me, it’s a total game-changer.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Serve the muffins warm or at room temperature with a generous smear of the cinnamon honey butter. Your kitchen will smell amazing, and your friends or family will be asking for seconds in no time!
Pro Tips for Making Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe
- Use Room Temperature Eggs: Your batter will blend more smoothly when eggs aren’t cold straight from the fridge.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overworking develops gluten and makes muffins tough; mix just till combined for tender results.
- Cold Butter for Streusel: Keeping the butter cubes cold before mixing helps create a crisp, crumbly topping.
- Check Doneness Near Edges: Because of the cream cheese center, test muffins near edges to avoid under or overbaking.
How to Serve Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle a tiny dash of extra cinnamon or a light dusting of powdered sugar on top for a pretty finish, especially if I’m serving these to company. Sometimes a few toasted pumpkin seeds scattered on top add a nice crunch and nod to the pumpkin theme.
Side Dishes
These muffins pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or spiced chai tea in the morning. For brunch, I often serve them alongside crispy bacon or sausage and fresh fruit to balance the sweetness and keep things fresh.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday gatherings, I’ve arranged these muffins on a rustic wooden board with jars of cinnamon honey butter and honey for guests to help themselves. You can also tie a little ribbon around each muffin paper liner for a festive touch—super cute for fall parties or gift-giving!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After they cool completely, I store leftover Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you want to keep them longer, the fridge is a good option but can dry them out a bit.
Freezing
I often freeze these muffins for up to three months. Just wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. When you want a treat, thaw them overnight in the fridge or reheat straight from frozen.
Reheating
To warm your muffins while keeping them moist, microwave them for about 15-20 seconds or reheat in a 325°F oven for 8-10 minutes. Add a fresh spread of cinnamon honey butter and you’re golden.
FAQs
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Can I use canned pumpkin puree for this recipe?
Yes! Canned pumpkin puree works perfectly and is actually what I use most of the time. Just make sure it’s pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling, which has added sugars and spices.
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Do I have to use cream cheese cubes inside the muffins?
The cream cheese adds a wonderful creamy surprise, but if you prefer, you can leave it out or substitute with a dollop of mascarpone or ricotta. Just keep in mind it changes the texture and richness.
- Can I make the streusel topping ahead of time?
Absolutely! The streusel can be prepared in advance and kept in the fridge for up to 2 days. This actually helps keep the butter cold and makes it easier to crumble later on.
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How long do these muffins stay fresh?
When stored properly in an airtight container, these muffins stay fresh for about 2 days at room temperature and up to a week in the fridge. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet.
Final Thoughts
This Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe has become one of my all-time favorites to make whenever pumpkin season hits because it’s cozy, a little indulgent, and always gets compliments. I hope you enjoy baking and sharing these muffins as much as I do—whether it’s a quiet morning treat or part of a lively brunch spread. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become a staple you turn to again and again!
PrintPumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 muffins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter are a perfect fall treat, combining moist pumpkin-spiced muffins with a creamy cream cheese center and a crunchy cinnamon streusel topping. Finished with a luscious cinnamon honey butter, they offer a delightful balance of flavors and textures, perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack.
Ingredients
Muffins
- 12 tbsp salted butter, melted
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ½ tsp kosher salt
Streusel
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 6 tbsp cold salted butter, cubed
- 4 oz cream cheese, cut into 16 cubes
Cinnamon Honey Butter
- 4 tbsp salted butter, at room temperature
- 2 tbsp honey
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 16-cup muffin tin with paper liners to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. Stir in the pumpkin puree and milk, mixing until the batter is smooth and creamy.
- Add Dry Ingredients: In the same bowl, add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and kosher salt. Mix on low speed just until all ingredients are combined and batter is smooth, careful not to overmix.
- Make Streusel Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter and mix with your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
- Assemble Muffins: Divide the pumpkin batter evenly among the muffin cups. Push one cube of cream cheese into the center of each muffin. Sprinkle the prepared streusel topping evenly over each muffin.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center (avoiding cream cheese) comes out clean and the muffins are golden on top.
- Prepare Cinnamon Honey Butter: While the muffins bake, mix together the room temperature butter, honey, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Serve: Allow muffins to cool slightly, then serve warm or at room temperature topped with a generous smear of cinnamon honey butter. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you prefer a stronger pumpkin flavor, use 1 ¼ cups pumpkin puree instead of 1 cup.
- You can substitute the milk with any plant-based milk for a dairy-free alternative.
- Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep the muffins tender and fluffy.
- For best texture, use cold butter when making the streusel topping.
- These muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin with cinnamon honey butter
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg