How do I make sure the cream cheese filling stays in the center?

Fill each muffin cup only halfway with the first layer of batter before adding the cream cheese filling. The batter should be deep enough to support the filling from below so it does not sink to the bottom during baking. Add the cream cheese filling gently to the center of each cup without pressing it to the sides and then cover completely with the remaining batter ensuring no filling is visible before adding the crumb topping.

Can I use low-fat cream cheese?

Regular full-fat block cream cheese produces the richest and most stable filling. Low-fat cream cheese has a higher water content and a softer texture that can produce a thinner and slightly runnier filling that may seep into the surrounding batter during baking more readily than the full-fat version. If you prefer a lighter filling, full-fat Greek yogurt combined with a tablespoon of powdered sugar makes a pleasant substitute that stays reasonably stable during baking.

Why are my muffins dense?

Dense muffins are almost always caused by overmixing the batter after the wet and dry ingredients are combined. Muffin batter should be mixed only until no dry flour is visible and a few lumps remain. Additional stirring beyond this point develops gluten and produces a dense and slightly rubbery crumb rather than the light and tender muffin this recipe is designed to deliver.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Muffins Easy Spring Breakfast Recipe

Name: Strawberry Cream Cheese Muffins The Most Delicious Spring Breakfast Treat You Will Bake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 42 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 oz Cream Cheese softened to room temperature; 2 tbsp Granulated Sugar for filling; 1 large Egg Yolk; 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract for filling; 2 cups All-Purpose Flour; 2/3 cup Granulated Sugar; 2 tsp Baking Powder; 1/2 tsp Baking Soda; 1/4 tsp Salt; 2 large Eggs; 1/2 cup Whole Milk; 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil; 1 tsp Vanilla Extract; 1 1/4 cups Fresh Strawberries diced; 1 tbsp All-Purpose Flour for tossing strawberries; 1/3 cup All-Purpose Flour for crumb topping; 3 tbsp Granulated Sugar for crumb topping; 3 tbsp Unsalted Butter melted

Description

The most delicious Strawberry Cream Cheese Muffins made with fresh diced strawberries in a tender muffin batter with a hidden sweet vanilla cream cheese filling and a buttery crumb topping baked until golden and fragrant. A completely irresistible spring breakfast and brunch muffin ready in under 45 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

4 oz Cream Cheese softened to room temperature

2 tbsp Granulated Sugar for filling

1 large Egg Yolk

1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract for filling

2 cups All-Purpose Flour

2/3 cup Granulated Sugar

2 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

1/4 tsp Salt

2 large Eggs

1/2 cup Whole Milk

1/2 cup Vegetable Oil

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 1/4 cups Fresh Strawberries diced

1 tbsp All-Purpose Flour for tossing strawberries

1/3 cup All-Purpose Flour for crumb topping

3 tbsp Granulated Sugar for crumb topping

3 tbsp Unsalted Butter melted

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line or grease a 12-cup muffin tin.

2. Beat softened cream cheese, 2 tbsp sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until completely smooth. Set aside.

3. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.

4. Whisk eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla in a separate bowl.

5. Pour wet into dry and stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix.

6. Toss diced strawberries with 1 tbsp flour. Fold into batter gently.

7. Mix crumb topping ingredients until crumbly. Set aside.

8. Fill each muffin cup halfway with batter.

9. Add 1 tsp cream cheese filling to the center of each cup.

10. Cover filling with remaining batter filling cups 3/4 full.

11. Scatter crumb topping generously over each muffin.

12. Bake 18 to 22 minutes until golden and toothpick comes out clean from muffin part.

13. Cool in tin 5 minutes then transfer to wire rack.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Muffins
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 muffin
Calories: 200
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 29g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: strawberry cream cheese muffins, cream cheese muffins, strawberry muffins with cream cheese filling, easy spring breakfast muffins