Strawberry Cream Cheese Muffins (Print version)
Soft muffins filled with fresh strawberries and creamy cheesecake center
# What you'll need:
→ Muffin Batter
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
06 - 2/3 cup granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1/2 cup whole milk
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
10 - 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped
→ Cream Cheese Filling
11 - 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
12 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
13 - 1 large egg yolk
14 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly with cooking spray.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly combined.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk vegetable oil and granulated sugar until blended. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in whole milk and vanilla extract.
04 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and fold gently with a spatula just until combined. The batter should remain slightly lumpy. Fold in chopped strawberries.
05 - Using an electric mixer or whisk, blend softened cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth and creamy.
06 - Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of muffin batter into each prepared cup. Add 1 tablespoon of cream cheese filling in the center, then top with another tablespoon of batter to cover the filling.
07 - Gently swirl a toothpick through the batter in each cup to create a marbled effect with the cream cheese filling.
08 - Bake for 20-22 minutes until muffins are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the cake portion (avoiding the cream cheese center) comes out clean.
09 - Let muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Cool completely before serving or storing.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- The cream cheese center stays gooey and warm while the muffin bakes up golden and tender
- Fresh strawberries add bursts of sweetness that balance the rich filling perfectly
02 -
- Avoid overmixing the batter or your muffins will be tough instead of tender
- When testing for doneness insert your toothpick away from the cream cheese center
03 -
- Room temperature cream cheese blends much smoother so take it out an hour before baking
- Toss chopped strawberries in a tablespoon of flour before folding them in to prevent sinking