Raspberry Swirl Cream Cheese Muffins

Raspberry Swirl Cream Cheese Muffins are the ultimate breakfast treat that could make even the grumpiest morning person crack a smile. Imagine biting into a soft, fluffy muffin with a luscious swirl of cream cheese and vibrant raspberry filling that dances on your taste buds like it’s auditioning for a musical number. The aroma wafting through your kitchen will have everyone convinced you’ve turned into a baking wizard overnight.

These muffins are not just for breakfast; they’re perfect for brunch gatherings, afternoon snacks, or even as a sweet pick-me-up during a Netflix binge. Picture this: it’s Sunday morning, you’re still in your pajamas, and there’s a tray of warm Raspberry Swirl Cream Cheese Muffins waiting for you. Talk about living the dream!

I remember the first time I made these muffins; my friends devoured them so quickly that I barely got to enjoy one myself. Note to self: always double the recipe when sharing with friends.

Essential Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:

• All-Purpose Flour: Use high-quality flour for the best texture; it helps create those fluffy muffin tops.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the batter perfectly; feel free to adjust based on your sweetness preference.
• Baking Powder: Make sure it’s fresh to ensure those muffins rise beautifully.
• Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
• Cream Cheese: Softened and ready to swirl; it adds creamy richness that makes these muffins irresistible.
• Fresh Raspberries: Choose plump, juicy berries for maximum flavor impact; frozen can work too if fresh is out of season.
• Eggs: They help bind everything together; use large eggs for best results.
• Milk: Adds moisture; whole milk is preferred for richness but any kind works.
• Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla brings warmth and depth to the flavor profile.
• Butter: Melted unsalted butter gives richness and moistness to your muffins.

The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.

Let’s Make it Together

Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Your Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease it well with nonstick spray. This ensures easy removal later.

Mix Dry Ingredients Together: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined. This step ensures even distribution of ingredients throughout your batter.

Create the Cream Cheese Mixture: In another bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and vanilla extract until thoroughly mixed—this will create your delightful cream cheese swirl.

Combine Wet Ingredients with Dry Ingredients: In yet another bowl, mix eggs, milk, and melted butter until smooth. Gently fold this mixture into your dry ingredients until just combined—don’t overmix! You want those airy muffin textures.

Add Raspberries and Fill Muffin Tins: Gently fold in fresh raspberries, taking care not to crush them too much. Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full with batter before adding dollops of cream cheese mixture on top—don’t be shy!

Bake Until Golden Brown!: Place in preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. The aroma will fill your kitchen with mouthwatering anticipation!

These steps will lead you to heavenly Raspberry Swirl Cream Cheese Muffins that not only look gorgeous but taste divine!

Perfecting the Cooking Process

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Mix dry ingredients before creaming butter and sugar in a separate bowl. Fold in the wet ingredients gently to keep the batter light and airy.

Add Your Touch

Feel free to swap raspberries with blueberries or strawberries for a different flavor profile. You can also add lemon zest for a refreshing zing. Experiment and find what suits your taste best!

Storing & Reheating

Store leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, freeze them wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. Reheat in the microwave for about 15 seconds.

Baking these muffins reminded me of Saturday mornings with my grandmother, who always said, “A good muffin should make you smile.” And they do!

FAQ

Can I use frozen raspberries in this recipe?

Yes, but thaw and drain excess moisture before adding them to the batter.

How can I make these muffins healthier?

Consider substituting half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrients.

What’s the best way to enjoy Raspberry Swirl Cream Cheese Muffins?

Warm them slightly and spread with extra cream cheese or butter for indulgence!

Raspberry Swirl Cream Cheese Muffins

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Raspberry Swirl Cream Cheese Muffins are a delightful treat that transforms any morning into a joyful occasion. With a soft, fluffy texture, these muffins boast a creamy swirl of rich cream cheese and vibrant raspberry filling. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack, they’re sure to impress with their beautiful presentation and irresistible flavors. Enjoy the warm aroma wafting through your kitchen as you indulge in this sweet culinary creation.

• Author: Jennifer
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: Makes approximately 12 muffins 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ cup cream cheese
• ▢1 medium lemon, zested
• ▢1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ▢½ cup sugar
• ▢1 teaspoon baking powder
• ▢½ teaspoon baking soda
• ▢½ teaspoon salt
• ▢⅓ cup vegetable oil
• ▢2 large eggs
• ▢¼ cup milk , see recipe instructions
• ▢1 tablespoon vanilla
• ▢1 ½ cups raspberries, frozen
• ▢coarse sugar, optional, for garnish

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with baking spray then place a paper muffin cup in each cavity. Set aside.
• Use your hands or a knife to section the cream cheese into small chunks. Set aside.
• Have one medium and one large mixing bowl ready. Wash the lemon and then use a citrus zester or Microplane to finely grate all of the zest into the medium bowl. Slice the lemon in half and squeeze out as much juice as you can into the large mixing bowl (approximately ¼ cup).
• Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the medium-sized bowl with the lemon zest. Whisk well to combine and set aside.
• Add the vegetable oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla to the bowl with the lemon juice. Whisk well to combine.
• Add the dry flour mixture to the bowl of wet ingredients. Gently stir the mixture until it’s about halfway mixed. Add the frozen raspberries and cream cheese chunks. Continue to stir until the berries and cream cheese are well distributed and the flour is just mixed in.
• Spoon the muffin batter evenly between the 12 prepared muffin cups. Top each muffin with a sprinkle of coarse sugar if using.
• Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350°F and bake for 14 to 16 minutes more. Transfer the muffin tin to a wire rack and cool the muffins for 10 minutes. Remove the muffins from the tin and place them directly on the rack to cool completely.

Notes

• You can make this recipe by hand, or use an electric hand or stand mixer.
• Starting the muffins off at a higher oven temperature encourages a higher rise but it can be inconsistent. Regardless of how tall your muffins are, they will be delicious.
• Storing these muffins in plastic zipper-top bags at room temperature can lead to a soggy texture by the next day. Once the muffins have completely cooled, I find it best to place them in a freezer bag and store them directly in the freezer. This preserves freshness and texture. Let the muffins thaw on the countertop for about 20-30 minutes, or warm them up briefly in the microwave.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 35mg

Keywords: For added flavor, consider substituting raspberries with blueberries or strawberries. Add lemon zest for a refreshing twist. Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for easy mixing and avoid over-mixing the batter for fluffier muffins.