Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe Luscious Morning Treat

My kitchen always buzzes with excitement when I start whisking luscious lemon cream cheese muffins into existence.

Bright citrus zest dancing through tender crumb promises a delightful morning treat.

Soft, pillowy textures meld with tangy cream cheese in ways that surprise and delight.

Weekends call for something special, and these muffins deliver pure comfort in every bite.

Fresh ingredients transform simple baking into a moment of pure joy.

Fragrant and irresistible, these muffins will make you the breakfast hero everyone adores.

Bake a batch and watch smiles bloom around your table.

Why Luscious Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins Are Bright and Soft

• Perfect for busy mornings, these muffins deliver a burst of zesty flavor in under 30 minutes, making breakfast preparation a breeze.
• The unexpected cream cheese center provides a luxurious, rich filling that transforms ordinary muffins into an extraordinary treat, delighting taste buds with every bite.
• Suitable for weekend brunches, school lunches, or afternoon snacks, these lemon cream cheese muffins appeal to both kids and adults with their balanced sweetness and tangy notes.
• Designed for home bakers of all skill levels, the recipe requires simple ingredients and straightforward techniques, ensuring even novice bakers can achieve professional-looking results with minimal effort.

Ingredients for Tangy Luscious Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins

• All-Purpose Flour: A staple base for creating tender and soft muffin texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with muffin browning.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents for light and fluffy muffins.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and creates a rich, tangy flavor.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and helps create a tender crumb.
• Large Eggs: Bind ingredients and contribute to muffin structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warm background flavor.

• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Brings bright, citrusy notes and tanginess to the muffins.
• Cream Cheese: Creates a creamy, rich filling with a smooth texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Used for creating a smooth, sweet glaze.

Step-by-Step for Luscious Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350F (175C). Grab a 12-cup muffin tin and line it with paper cups or give it a generous spray of cooking oil.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Whisk these together until they’re buddy-buddy.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

• Sour cream
• Melted butter
• Eggs
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Vanilla extract

Stir until the mixture looks smooth and silky.

Step 4: Create Muffin Batter

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold everything together until just combined. Don’t overmix- you want a tender muffin!

Step 5: Whip Up Cream Cheese Filling

• Softened cream cheese
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract

Mix until it’s creamy and dreamy.

Step 6: Assemble Muffin Magic

Scoop about 2 tablespoons of batter into each muffin cup. Drop a teaspoon of cream cheese filling in the center. Cover with more batter, filling each cup about 3/4 full.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the tin into the oven. Bake for 18-22 minutes. Check doneness by poking a toothpick into the muffin (avoid the cream cheese center). It should come out clean.

Step 8: Cool and Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Lemon juice
• Lemon zest

Drizzle the glazy goodness over the cooled muffins.

Tips to Nail Luscious Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins Every Time

• Zest Like a Pro: Use fresh, organic lemons for the most vibrant citrus flavor and avoid pre-packaged lemon juice that can taste dull.
• Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Tap the filled muffin tin gently on the counter to release air bubbles and ensure even baking for perfectly textured muffins.
• Swirl Cream Cheese Carefully: Use a small knife or toothpick to gently swirl the cream cheese filling into the batter for a beautiful marbled effect without overmixing.
• Store for Maximum Freshness: Keep muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days to maintain their soft, moist texture.
• Customize with Ease: Swap lemon for orange zest or add blueberries to the batter for a delightful flavor variation that keeps these muffins exciting and versatile.

How to Keep Luscious Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins Fresh

• Store leftover muffins in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Place a paper towel between layers to prevent sticking and maintain moisture.
• Wrap individual muffins tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
• Warm refrigerated muffins in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out the delicate cream cheese filling.
• If the glaze hardens after refrigeration, let the muffins sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes or gently warm them to restore the glaze's smooth consistency.

What Goes Well with Luscious Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins

• Brew a refreshing lemon or Earl Grey tea that complements the zesty lemon notes in the muffins, creating a bright and harmonious flavor combination.
• Serve alongside a dollop of vanilla-infused whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to balance the muffins' tartness and add creamy richness.
• Select a crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc with citrus undertones that will echo the lemon's vibrant character and cleanse the palate between bites.
• Pair the muffins with a light Greek yogurt topped with fresh berries to provide a cool, tangy contrast to the sweet and creamy muffin texture.

Variations to Try with Luscious Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins

• Gluten-Free Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
• Dairy-Free Version: Substitute cream cheese with vegan cream cheese alternative, use coconut oil instead of butter, and replace sour cream with coconut yogurt for lactose-intolerant individuals.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of regular sugar, reducing overall sugar content for diabetic-friendly or low-carb dietary needs.
• Keto-Friendly Adaptation: Swap wheat flour with coconut or almond flour, use sugar-free sweetener, and incorporate additional almond flour to maintain low-carbohydrate profile while preserving delicious lemon cream cheese flavor.

Luscious Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Homemade lemon cream cheese muffins deliver sunshine on a plate with tangy, sweet perfection. Moist crumb and rich cream cheese make these little treats irresistible for morning pleasure or afternoon indulgence.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups (355 ml) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream or Greek yogurt
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Flavor Enhancers:

• Zest of 1 large lemon

Cream Cheese Filling:

• 4 ounces (113 g) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Lemon Glaze (optional):

• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 23 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a muffin tin with liners or butter, ensuring a non-stick surface for easy removal.
2. Sift together the dry ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a uniform base for the muffin foundation.
3. Whisk the liquid components in a separate vessel, blending sour cream, melted butter, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until achieving a silky, cohesive mixture.
4. Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring minimally to maintain a tender muffin texture and prevent overmixing.
5. Cream the cream cheese filling by whipping the softened cheese with sugar and vanilla until achieving a smooth, luxurious consistency.
6. Layer the muffin batter strategically: deposit a base layer of batter, introduce a dollop of cream cheese filling at the center, then crown with additional batter to conceal the creamy surprise.
7. Slide the muffin tin into the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, monitoring until a test skewer emerges clean when inserted near the edge.
8. Allow muffins to rest in the tin for 5 minutes, then transition to a cooling rack for complete temperature reduction.
9. Craft a zesty glaze by whisking powdered sugar with lemon juice and zest until reaching a drizzle-perfect consistency.
10. Embellish the cooled muffins with the tangy lemon glaze, creating an elegant finishing touch.

Notes

• Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for smooth, lump-free filling that blends effortlessly into the muffin batter.
• Fold wet and dry ingredients gently to prevent overmixing, which can create tough, dense muffins with a rubbery texture.
• For a gluten-free version, swap all-purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free blend and add an extra pinch of xanthan gum for better structure.
• Reduce sugar content by using a natural sweetener like stevia or monk fruit, maintaining the muffins’ delightful sweetness while cutting calories.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 295
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 57 mg