Strawberry Cream Cheese Muffins
Quick and easy muffins filled with a creamy sweetened cream cheese swirl and fresh strawberries. Perfect for busy mornings or as a delightful dessert.
Ingredients
Essentials
- 2 cups all-purpose flour The base for tender muffins
- 1 cup granulated sugar For balanced sweetness
- 1 tablespoon baking powder For lift and light crumb
- 1/2 teaspoon salt Brings out flavor
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted Keeps muffins rich and moist
- 1 large egg Binder and structure
- 1 cup milk Adds moisture; whole or 2% works well
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced Sweet, colorful, and fresh-tasting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened The star of the filling for a creamy surprise
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar Sweetens the cream cheese without graininess
Optional Add-ons
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract For extra warm flavor
- Zest of 1 lemon Brightens the strawberry flavor
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (like almonds or pecans) For a crunchy topping
- Light crumb topping (2 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon melted butter) Adds texture and a bakery feel
- Coarse sugar for sprinkling Gives a pretty sparkle and slight crunch
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- In one bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk the melted butter, egg, and milk until smooth. Add vanilla if using.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients gently until just combined, then fold in the diced strawberries.
- For the cream cheese filling, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth.
Assembly and Baking
- Fill each muffin liner halfway with batter, add a spoonful of cream cheese mixture in the center, and top with more batter until three-quarters full.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
Cooling
- Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
These muffins are versatile and can be enjoyed for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. Serve with sliced fruit or yogurt for a complete meal.