Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe

If you’re looking for a muffin that feels like a warm hug on a chilly morning, these Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe are an absolute treat. I love this recipe because it combines the cozy spices of pumpkin pie with a tender crumb and a surprise center of cream cheese that just melts while baking. You’ll find that each bite perfectly balances sweet, spicy, and creamy in a way that’s simply irresistible.

These muffins are brilliant for breakfast, brunch, or even an afternoon pick-me-up with coffee. When I first tried this, I couldn’t believe how easy it was to pull off a bakery-worthy muffin at home, especially with that luscious cinnamon honey butter that elevates every bite. Trust me, once you make this Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe, it’s going to be your next go-to seasonal favorite.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together beautifully to give you moist, flavorful muffins with a tender crumb topped by a crumbly streusel. I find that fresh pumpkin puree and good quality spices really make a difference here, so don’t skimp!

• Salted butter: Using salted butter adds just the right touch of savory balance without needing extra salt in some steps.
• Brown sugar: This gives the muffins a deep molasses flavor that pairs perfectly with pumpkin.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor and brings warmth to the batter.
• Eggs: They help bind the ingredients and provide structure.
• Pumpkin puree: Make sure it’s pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling, which has added sugars and spices.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps to thin the batter for a tender crumb.
• All-purpose flour: The base of the muffins and streusel topping.
• Baking powder and baking soda: These leavening agents ensure a light, fluffy muffin.
• Cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice: Classic spices that bring seasonal warmth.
• Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and boosts flavor.
• Cream cheese: Cut into cubes, this is the surprise in the center that keeps the muffins slightly tangy and moist.
• Honey: For the cinnamon honey butter, contributes natural sweetness and depth.

Variations

I love tweaking this Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe depending on what I have on hand or who I’m baking for. It’s super forgiving and invites personalization without losing its charm.

• Gluten-Free Version: I swapped in a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour once and was amazed how close the texture stayed to the original recipe.
• Spice it Up: Sometimes I add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to deepen the spice profile when I want a more complex flavor.
• Maple Cinnamon Honey Butter: Replacing honey with maple syrup gives an earthier sweetness that’s fantastic with these muffins.
• Vegan Adaptation: Use flax eggs and a plant-based butter substitute, and the muffins still come out moist and delicious.

How to Make Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe

Step 1: Mix Your Wet Ingredients with Love

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining your muffin tins with paper liners — this recipe makes 16 muffins, so don’t forget to have enough cups ready. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Adding the eggs one at a time prevents curdling and ensures a silky batter. Then, stir in the pumpkin puree and milk until you get a creamy consistency. This is where all those cozy fall flavors begin coming together!

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients Carefully

In a separate bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and kosher salt. Slowly add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until everything is combined. You don’t want to overmix here — I’ve learned that overworked batter can lead to tough muffins, and that’s the last thing we want.

Step 3: Create the Streusel Topping

Now the fun part: the streusel. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in cold, cubed butter with your fingers until you get a crumbly texture. This streusel turns crispy and delightfully decadent on top of the muffins. You’ll want to sprinkle it generously, so it forms that classic coffee cake crunch.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups — I often use an ice cream scoop to keep sizes consistent. Then, push one cube of cream cheese into the center of each muffin; this part is such a crowd-pleaser. Top each muffin with your streusel, don’t be shy! Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the edges (not the cream cheese) comes out clean.

Step 5: Whip Up the Cinnamon Honey Butter

While the muffins bake, mix the softened butter with honey and ground cinnamon in a small bowl until smooth. This cinnamon honey butter is like a little jar of sunshine — spread it on warm muffins for that extra layer of flavor that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy Warm

Once the muffins are cooled just enough to handle, smear them with that heavenly cinnamon honey butter. I promise, it’s the perfect balance of sweet and spice that makes these muffins unforgettable.

How to Serve Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with just a generous smear of the cinnamon honey butter, but sometimes I’ll sprinkle a tiny pinch of extra cinnamon on top or add a few chopped toasted pecans for crunch. When serving to guests, a light dusting of powdered sugar can make these muffins look extra special.

Side Dishes

These muffins pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea. For brunch, I like to serve them alongside scrambled eggs or a fresh fruit salad to balance richness with bright, juicy flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I’ve arranged these muffins on a tiered tray with mini jars of the cinnamon honey butter on the side for guests to spread. You could also wrap individual muffins in parchment paper and tie with rustic twine for a charming gift or grab-and-go breakfast option.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover muffins keep well at room temperature for up to two days when stored in an airtight container. I usually pop them in the fridge if I plan to save them any longer, which keeps the cream cheese center fresh and prevents spoilage.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these muffins successfully by wrapping each one tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer bag. They thaw beautifully overnight in the fridge or in about an hour at room temperature—flavor and texture remain fantastic.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop a muffin in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or gently warm it in a toaster oven. Adding a smear of that cinnamon honey butter after reheating makes it taste freshly made every time.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe captures the essence of fall in a simple, approachable way. It’s one of those recipes that makes your home smell incredible, and the layers of flavor keep you coming back for another bite. I hope you give it a try soon — it’s a joy to bake and a treat to share with family or friends over a cozy morning chat.

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