Cream Cheese Strawberry Muffins Recipe

If you’re craving something that brings together the tender sweetness of fresh berries with a luscious creamy surprise, look no further than this Cream Cheese Strawberry Muffins Recipe. These muffins are perfectly moist, bursting with juicy strawberries, and have a soft cream cheese center that makes every bite irresistibly delightful. Whether you’re starting your morning or hosting a weekend brunch, this recipe is bound to become your new favorite treat to bake and share.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for this Cream Cheese Strawberry Muffins Recipe are delightfully simple yet thoughtfully chosen to create a perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color. Each element plays its part in making these muffins soft, sweet, and beautifully moist.

• All-purpose flour: The foundation providing structure and tenderness to the muffins.
• Baking powder and baking soda: These leavening agents ensure your muffins rise beautifully and stay light.
• Salt: Just a pinch to enhance all the flavors.
• Granulated sugar and brown sugar: A delightful combo adding sweetness with a hint of caramel richness from the brown sugar.
• Large egg: Helps bind ingredients and adds moisture.
• Vanilla extract: Gives a warm, inviting aroma and flavor.
• Unsalted butter: Melted for smooth richness and mouthwatering tenderness.
• Buttermilk (or milk with vinegar): Adds subtle tang and keeps muffins moist and soft.
• Fresh strawberries: The star of the show, chopped to ensure juicy bursts of flavor.
• Cream cheese: Softened and blended with powdered sugar to create the irresistible creamy filling.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and smooths out the cream cheese filling perfectly.

How to Make Cream Cheese Strawberry Muffins Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Muffin Tin

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s hot and ready to bake your muffins to golden perfection. Line your muffin tin with paper liners or give it a good spray with non-stick cooking spray to make removing the muffins smooth and easy.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined. This step is essential for a uniform rise and a nicely textured crumb in your muffins.

Step 3: Blend the Sugars, Egg, and Vanilla

In a separate bowl, mix the granulated sugar with the brown sugar. Add the egg and vanilla extract, whisking until smooth and creamy. This creates a sweet, aromatic base that will give your muffins incredible flavor.

Step 4: Add Butter and Buttermilk

Pour the melted butter and buttermilk into your sugar mixture. Gently stir until everything is just combined—overmixing here can lead to tough muffins, so a gentle hand is key.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mix, folding gently until no pockets of dry flour remain. The batter will be thick and a little lumpy, which is perfectly fine for tender muffins.

Step 6: Fold in Fresh Strawberries

Gently incorporate the chopped strawberries, making sure they are evenly distributed without smashing them. These juicy pieces will give bursts of natural sweetness and a lovely pink flecked color to each muffin.

Step 7: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

In a small bowl, blend together the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. This sweet filling will add an amazing surprise center to your muffins, balancing tart and sweet flavors beautifully.

Step 8: Layer the Batter and Cream Cheese in Muffin Cups

Spoon about a tablespoon of muffin batter into each muffin cup, then add a scoop of the cream cheese filling in the center. Cover this with another tablespoon of batter, making sure the cream cheese is fully enclosed for that perfect melty center.

Step 9: Add Extra Strawberries and Bake

Optionally, sprinkle leftover strawberry pieces on top of each muffin for a pretty finish. Bake your muffins for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. This baking time is exactly what develops that moist crumb and golden crown.

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Let your muffins cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This rest period lets the muffins set, making them easier to remove and even tastier.

How to Serve Cream Cheese Strawberry Muffins Recipe

Garnishes

To make your Cream Cheese Strawberry Muffins Recipe even more enticing, try garnishing with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a few fresh strawberry slices on top. A small drizzle of honey or a dollop of whipped cream is also heavenly for extra indulgence.

Side Dishes

Pair your muffins with a hot cup of coffee, a refreshing glass of fresh orange juice, or a creamy latte to brighten your morning or afternoon snack. For a heartier brunch, serve alongside scrambled eggs or a simple green salad for contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve these muffins on a charming rustic wooden board or a colorful platter to highlight their vibrant strawberries and creamy filling. If you’re hosting, arrange them in a tiered dessert stand for a fun and elegant display that guests will love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your leftover Cream Cheese Strawberry Muffins Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to keep them soft and fresh. For longer storage, refrigeration can extend their life to about 4 days without drying them out.

Freezing

These muffins freeze beautifully! Wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and place them in a resealable freezer bag. They’ll keep well frozen for up to 3 months, making them perfect to bake ahead and enjoy whenever you like.

Reheating

Reheat frozen or refrigerated muffins by warming them in a microwave for 20-30 seconds or in a conventional oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. This brings back their fresh-baked softness and revives the creamy filling just right.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

While fresh strawberries are best for texture and flavor, frozen strawberries can work in a pinch. Just make sure to thaw and drain them well to avoid adding too much extra moisture to your batter.

Is it necessary to include cream cheese in the muffins?

The cream cheese filling is what makes this recipe extra special by adding a creamy, tangy surprise in the center. You can skip it for a simpler muffin, but you’ll miss out on that luscious contrast.

Can I substitute the buttermilk?

Absolutely! You can use regular milk with a teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice added, which mimics the acidity of buttermilk and helps keep the muffins tender.

How do I prevent the muffins from becoming dry?

Be careful not to overmix the batter and follow the recommended baking time closely. Overbaking can dry out your muffins, so watch the oven carefully and test with a toothpick near the minimum time.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, by using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend designed for baking, you can create delicious gluten-free Cream Cheese Strawberry Muffins. Just be sure the blend contains xanthan gum or a similar binder for structure.

Final Thoughts

This Cream Cheese Strawberry Muffins Recipe is truly a joy to make and share. The perfect balance of fluffy crumb, juicy strawberries, and a creamy surprise filling will have everyone asking for seconds. Give it a try and watch these muffins disappear faster than you can say “delicious”!

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