
I absolutely love starting my mornings with a warm, cozy treat, and these Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe fit the bill perfectly. There’s just something magical about the tender pumpkin-infused muffins crowned with a cinnamon-spiced streusel and that dreamy cinnamon honey butter melting right on top. Whenever I make them, the kitchen fills with the most inviting autumn scents that make any morning feel special.
You’ll find that these muffins are an easy way to bring that pumpkin spice charm into quick, grab-and-go treats for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up. I discovered this recipe on a crisp fall weekend, and since then, it has become a favorite not only because of the flavors but also how simple it is to whip up a batch. The blend of the crumbly streusel and the luscious cinnamon honey butter really takes these Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe next-level delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect balance of flavors: The pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice blend perfectly with cinnamon for an irresistible fall flavor.
- Creamy surprise inside: Each muffin has a little cream cheese cube hidden inside, making every bite wonderfully moist and rich.
- Cinnamon honey butter finish: The silky honey butter adds warmth and sweetness that really elevates these muffins.
- Easy to make and share: Great for batch baking, brunches, or gifting to friends and family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for these Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe are simple and easy to find. Using pantry staples like all-purpose flour and warm spices combined with fresh pumpkin puree truly brings this recipe to life. I always recommend fresh pumpkin puree over canned when possible for the best texture and flavor.
- Salted butter: Using salted butter enhances the flavor and balances sweetness throughout the muffins and streusel.
- Brown sugar: The packed brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel note that’s perfect with pumpkin.
- Vanilla extract: Just a hint to deepen the overall flavor complexity.
- Eggs: Key for structure and moisture in the muffins.
- Pumpkin puree: Not pumpkin pie filling—pure pumpkin for that authentic taste and texture.
- Milk: Helps keep the batter smooth and tender.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for the muffin’s texture.
- Baking powder & baking soda: Important for the perfect rise and crumb.
- Cinnamon & pumpkin pie spice: These warm spices bring the quintessential pumpkin flavor we all love.
- Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
- Cream cheese: Cubed cream cheese surprises inside the muffin for creamy decadence.
- Honey: Natural sweetness in the cinnamon honey butter that’s just dreamy.
Variations
I love that this Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe is so versatile—you can easily tweak it to suit your taste or dietary needs without losing that cozy vibe. Whether you add nuts or swap dairy, it’s all about making these muffins your own.
- Nutty twist: I like tossing in chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch and a little nutty warmth. My family goes crazy for this add-in!
- Dairy-free option: Swap the butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives and use almond or oat milk—works beautifully in a pinch.
- Spice it up: For a little kick, add a pinch of ground ginger or nutmeg along with cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice.
- Maple cinnamon butter: Replace honey with pure maple syrup for a different but equally delicious topping on your muffins.
How to Make Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe
Step 1: Prep and mix the batter
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and line 16 muffin cups with paper liners—this makes cleanup a breeze and muffins easy to pop out. In a large bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Then beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each one fully incorporates before adding the next. Next, blend in the pumpkin puree and milk, mixing until you get a creamy consistency—this combo helps keep the muffins moist and tender.
Step 2: Combine the dry ingredients and fold in
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Slowly add this to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix—the batter should be thick with some small lumps, which guarantees fluffy muffins instead of dense ones.
Step 3: Make the streusel topping
Now, for the crumbly goodness—combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Cut the cold cubed butter into the mixture with your fingers until it looks like coarse crumbs. This technique is key because the cold butter creates that perfect crisp streusel instead of melting into the flour.
Step 4: Assemble and bake
Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups. Here’s a little trick I picked up: gently push one cream cheese cube into the center of each muffin—don’t worry if a little peeks out, it bakes into such a creamy surprise. Sprinkle the streusel generously over the tops, then bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on them after 20 minutes so the streusel doesn’t burn.
Step 5: Whip up the cinnamon honey butter
While your muffins cool just a bit, combine softened butter, honey, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Mix until smooth and spreadable. This cinnamon honey butter is the finishing touch that turns the muffins from good to oh-so-memorable.
Step 6: Serve and enjoy
Serve your Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins warm with a generous smear of the cinnamon honey butter—I promise you’ll savor every bite! They’re just as tasty at room temperature if you want to make them ahead or pack for later.
Pro Tips for Making Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe
- Use room temperature eggs: They mix better with the batter, giving you a smoother texture every time.
- Don’t overmix the batter: Overmixing can make muffins tough, so stir until everything just comes together.
- Cold butter for streusel: Keep butter cold for crumbly topping; I pop it back in the fridge if it starts to soften.
- Test for doneness carefully: Because of the cream cheese center, check with a toothpick around the edges and avoid poking the cream cheese itself.
How to Serve Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe
Garnishes
I usually stick with a simple sprinkle of extra cinnamon or a tiny drizzle of honey if I want to jazz things up when serving these muffins. Sometimes, a scattering of chopped pecans on top right after baking adds a nice crunch and makes them look bakery-fancy.
Side Dishes
These muffins pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, chai tea, or even a cozy latte. For brunch, I love serving them alongside scrambled eggs or a fresh fruit salad to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday gatherings, I like to arrange these Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe on a rustic wooden board with cinnamon sticks and small pumpkins for a festive feel. Wrapping a few muffins in parchment paper tied with twine makes an adorable guest gift or hostess present, too!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually keep leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, which is plenty of time because they rarely last that long at my house. If your kitchen is warm, consider refrigerating them to keep the cream cheese fresh.
Freezing
These muffins freeze beautifully—just wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and pop them into a freezer bag. I’ve had great success freezing them for up to 2 months. When you want a treat, thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the microwave.
Reheating
To reheat, I find 15-20 seconds in the microwave works wonders to revive the softness and make the cinnamon honey butter melt quickly on top. Avoid overheating since it can dry out the muffins.
FAQs
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Can I use canned pumpkin puree in this recipe?
Yes! Canned pumpkin puree works perfectly fine and is very convenient. Just make sure you’re using pure pumpkin and not the pie filling, which contains added sugar and spices that can throw off the recipe balance.
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What if I don’t have cream cheese—can I skip it?
You can skip the cream cheese cubes, but I highly recommend them because they add moistness and a lovely creamy texture right in the center of each muffin. If you’re avoiding dairy, try a vegan cream cheese alternative to keep that special surprise.
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Can I make these muffins gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup for cup. Just be sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder to help with the texture.
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How do I store the cinnamon honey butter if I make extra?
You can keep any leftover cinnamon honey butter in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week. Let it soften at room temperature before spreading it on muffins for the best experience.
Final Thoughts
This Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe has truly become a staple in my kitchen for cooler months and special weekend brunches. I love how easy it is to bring together familiar flavors that make everyone smile and feel cozy inside. If you’re looking to add a little pumpkin spice joy to your mornings, I hope you give this recipe a try—it’s like a warm hug in muffin form, and I’m confident you’ll fall for it just like I did.
PrintPumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 16 muffins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter are moist, flavorful, and perfectly spiced, making them an ideal fall treat. Filled with creamy chunks of cream cheese and topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel, they are delicious served warm with a spread of sweet and fragrant cinnamon honey butter.
Ingredients
Muffin Batter
- 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 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ½ tsp kosher salt
Streusel Topping
- 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 Oven and Prepare Tins: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 16 muffin tins with paper liners to ensure easy removal and cleanup.
- Mix Batter Base: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated, creating a smooth and creamy mixture.
- Add Pumpkin and Milk: Stir in the pumpkin puree and milk, beating until the batter is smooth and creamy, ensuring even moisture and rich pumpkin flavor throughout.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and kosher salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined for a tender crumb.
- Prepare Streusel Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Use your fingers to rub the cold cubed butter into the flour mixture until it forms crumbly streusel.
- Assemble Muffins: Divide the muffin batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups. Gently press one cube of cream cheese into the center of each muffin. Evenly sprinkle the streusel topping over the batter to add a crunchy, sweet finish.
- Bake Muffins: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the muffins are golden on top.
- Make Cinnamon Honey Butter: While the muffins bake, combine the softened butter, honey, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl, mixing until smooth and well blended.
- Serve: Once baked, allow the muffins to cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature, smeared generously with the cinnamon honey butter for a delicious and comforting treat.
Notes
- Use fresh pumpkin puree for the best flavor; canned pumpkin works well too.
- Ensure the butter for streusel is cold for the best crumbly texture.
- These muffins freeze well; store in an airtight container in the freezer and thaw before serving.
- The cream cheese cubes add a wonderful creamy center but can be omitted for a dairy-free version.
- Adjust sweetness by using less brown sugar in the batter or streusel, according to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg