Sunshine Lemon Muffins with Cream Cheese Filling Recipe

Bursting with zesty flavor, these lemon muffins with cream cheese filling will light up your morning.

Tangy citrus notes dance through a tender, soft crumb that melts in your mouth.

Creamy cheese nestles perfectly inside each golden-baked treat, creating a delightful surprise with every bite.

The recipe balances sweet and tart notes that complement each other beautifully.

Fresh lemon zest adds a vibrant brightness that elevates these muffins from ordinary to extraordinary.

Bakers of all skill levels can whip up this simple yet impressive breakfast or brunch option.

Prepare to fall in love with a muffin that promises sunshine in every delectable slice.

FAQs

• Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemon juice?

Fresh lemon juice provides the best flavor and brightness. Bottled juice works in a pinch, but it may taste slightly less vibrant and can have preservatives that alter the muffin’s taste.

• Is there a way to prevent the cream cheese from sinking?

Coating the cream cheese mixture with a light dusting of flour before adding it to the muffin batter helps prevent sinking. Also, ensure the cream cheese is cold and firm when you add it to the batter.

• How can I make these muffins more lemony?

Add extra lemon zest to the batter or increase the amount of lemon juice in the glaze. You can also brush the cooled muffins with additional lemon syrup made from lemon juice and sugar for an intense lemon flavor.

• What can I substitute for cream cheese if I don't have it?

Greek yogurt or mascarpone cheese can work as alternatives. They’ll provide a similar creamy texture and tangy flavor to the filling, though the taste will be slightly different from traditional cream cheese.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 194 kcal

Servings: 13

Lemon Muffin Ingredient List with Cream Cheese Core

• Cream Cheese: Silky base that adds luxurious richness and tangy smoothness to the filling.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese filling with delicate crystal-like texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Infuses warm, comforting aroma that elevates the cream cheese flavor.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and tender crumb for the muffins.
• Sugar: Delivers balanced sweetness and helps create golden-brown exterior.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light, fluffy muffin texture with perfect rise.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Milk: Adds moisture and helps bind ingredients smoothly.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, tender muffin base with delightful buttery notes.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and contributes to muffin's soft, springy texture.
• Lemon Zest: Infuses bright, zesty citrus aroma and intense lemon flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Provides tangy freshness and helps activate baking powder.
• Vanilla Extract: Contributes warm, comforting background flavor.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy drizzle with delicate sweetness.
• Lemon Juice: Adds vibrant citrus kick and helps thin glaze consistency.

Tools to Bake Muffins with Filled Centers

• Muffin Tin: 12-cup standard size for baking perfectly shaped muffins.
• Large Mixing Bowl: For combining dry ingredients and creating muffin batter.
• Small Mixing Bowl: To prepare cream cheese filling and optional lemon glaze.
• Whisk: Essential for mixing ingredients smoothly without lumps.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements ensure recipe success.
• Zester or Grater: Needed to extract fresh lemon zest.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows muffins to cool evenly without getting soggy.
• Toothpick: Used to test muffin doneness by checking for clean insertion.
• Spatula or Spoon: For transferring batter and filling into muffin cups.

Instructions for Making Lemon Muffins with Filling

• Fire Up the Oven

Get your kitchen toasty by warming the oven to 350F. Grab a muffin tin and line it with cute paper cups or give it a quick spray of non-stick.

• Whip the Creamy Center

Grab your mixer and transform cream cheese into a silky smooth filling by blending it with sugar and a splash of vanilla. Set this dreamy mixture aside.

• Mix the Muffin

Combine dry ingredients in one bowl – flour, sugar, and baking helpers. In another bowl, dance together milk, melted butter, eggs, zesty lemon scrapes, tangy juice, and vanilla. Gently marry these wet and dry worlds without going overboard on mixing.

• Build Your Muffin Masterpiece

Drop a hearty spoonful of batter into each muffin cup. Nestle a dollop of cream cheese right in the center. Crown it with another spoonful of batter, filling each cup about three-quarters full.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide the tin into the oven and let them transform for 18-22 minutes. Test doneness with a toothpick – it should emerge clean when poked near the edge. Let muffins rest in the pan for a quick five minutes before moving to a cooling rack.

• Optional Lemony Drizzle

Whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice until you’ve got a silky glaze. Drizzle this sunshine over your cooled muffins.

• Enjoy Your Creation

Devour immediately or store in the fridge for up to five days. These little treats are ready to make taste buds dance!

Muffin Variations for Flavor or Texture Boosts

• Use a small spoon or piping bag to create a smooth, even cream cheese layer that prevents sinking during baking.
• Add extra lemon zest or a dash of lemon extract to enhance the citrusy flavor and create a more vibrant taste profile.
• Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to make these muffins suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Replace cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese alternative and use plant-based milk to create a lactose-free version of the muffins.
• Fold in some poppy seeds or chopped nuts for added crunch and textural interest that complements the soft muffin base.

Serving Muffins for Brunch or Snacks

• Sunny Brunch Companion: Pair these zesty lemon muffins with a fresh fruit salad featuring berries and mint for a refreshing morning meal.
• Tea Time Elegance: Serve alongside chamomile or Earl Grey tea, creating a delightful afternoon treat that complements the muffins' bright flavors.
• Dessert Transformation: Warm the muffins slightly and top with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an indulgent after-dinner surprise that elevates the simple recipe into a decadent dessert experience.
• Picnic Perfect Snack: Pack these muffins in a cute container for outdoor gatherings, where their portable size and tangy flavor will delight friends and family during casual outdoor meals.

Storing Filled Muffins Without Losing Softness

• Store muffins in an airtight container inside the refrigerator, keeping them deliciously moist for 4-5 days. The cream cheese filling requires consistent cool temperatures to maintain its creamy texture and prevent bacterial growth.
• Prepare muffin batter and cream cheese filling separately up to 24 hours before baking. Keep batter and filling in sealed containers in the refrigerator, which helps develop richer flavors and saves precious morning time.
• Wrap individual muffins tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Frozen muffins stay delectable for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or reheat directly from frozen in a 350F oven for 8-10 minutes.
• Let refrigerated muffins sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to enhance their soft texture and bring out the bright lemon flavor. Avoid leaving them out for more than 2 hours to maintain food safety standards.

Bright Lemon Muffins With Cream Cheese Filling Recipe

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• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Zesty Lemon Muffins with Cream Cheese Filling offer a delightful balance of tangy citrus and creamy richness. Bakers can easily craft these delectable treats for a perfect breakfast or afternoon snack.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ½ cups (190 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120 milliliters/4 fl oz) whole milk
• ½ cup (115 grams/4 oz) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 4 oz (115 grams) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 3 tbsps granulated sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp lemon zest (about 1 large lemon)
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters/2 fl oz) fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup (60 grams/2 oz) powdered sugar
• 12 tbsps fresh lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Preheating and Preparation: Activate the oven to 350F (175C) and line a standard muffin tin with paper liners for seamless extraction.
2. Cream Cheese Filling: Whip softened cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until achieving a silky, homogeneous texture, then reserve for later integration.
3. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a mixing bowl, ensuring comprehensive and even distribution of dry components.
4. Liquid Element Emulsion: Combine milk, melted butter, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract in a separate vessel, whisking until perfectly harmonized.
5. Batter Assembly: Gently fold wet ingredients into dry mixture, executing minimal stirring to preserve an airy, delicate muffin structure and prevent potential toughness.
6. Filling Technique: Deposit an initial layer of batter into each muffin cup, strategically positioning a central cream cheese dollop for an unexpected flavor core.
7. Batter Completion: Carefully conceal the cream cheese filling with remaining batter, filling cups approximately three-quarters full to facilitate optimal rising.
8. Baking Process: Slide the muffin tin into the preheated oven, monitoring for 18-22 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean when tested near the muffin’s periphery.
9. Cooling Protocol: Permit muffins to rest briefly in the tin, then transfer to a wire rack for complete temperature equalization and textural refinement.
10. Optional Embellishment: Craft a luminous lemon glaze by whisking powdered sugar with lemon juice until reaching a smooth, pourable consistency.
11. Storage and Serving: Present immediately or refrigerate in a sealed container, maintaining optimal freshness for up to 5 days.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Stir batter gently and minimally to keep muffins light and fluffy, avoiding tough, dense textures.
• Cream Cheese Placement: Center the cream cheese filling carefully in the muffin’s middle to ensure even distribution and prevent sinking.
• Temperature Control: Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and milk to help create a more uniform and smoother batter consistency.
• Zest Intensity: Grate lemon zest finely to maximize flavor without introducing bitter white pith, enhancing the citrus notes throughout the muffins.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 194
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 134 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 0.6 g
• Protein: 2.8 g
• Cholesterol: 38 mg