Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins (Printable)
Moist muffins bursting with fresh lemon flavor and a surprise creamy cheese filling
# What You Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
04 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
05 - ¼ teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
06 - ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
07 - ½ cup whole milk
08 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
09 - ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 tablespoon lemon zest
11 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Cream Cheese Filling
12 - 6 oz cream cheese, softened
13 - ¼ cup granulated sugar
14 - 1 egg yolk
15 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
→ Topping
16 - 2 tablespoons coarse sugar
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease thoroughly with cooking spray.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
03 - In a separate bowl, combine melted butter, milk, eggs, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Whisk until fully blended and smooth.
04 - Gently fold wet ingredients into dry mixture using a spatula. Mix just until combined—do not overmix as this will result in dense muffins.
05 - In a small bowl, beat softened cream cheese with sugar, egg yolk, and lemon zest until smooth and creamy.
06 - Spoon about 2 tablespoons of batter into each muffin cup. Place 1 heaping teaspoon of cream cheese filling in center, then cover with remaining batter. Fill each cup about ¾ full.
07 - Sprinkle tops generously with coarse sugar for a sweet crunch, if desired.
08 - Bake for 18–22 minutes until golden brown. Test doneness by inserting toothpick into the edge (avoid center cream cheese filling)—it should come out clean.
09 - Allow muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The cream cheese center stays molten and creamy, creating this surprise filling that makes every bite feel special
- These muffins strike that perfect balance between tangy and sweet, like sunshine wrapped in a paper liner
02 -
- Test for doneness at the edge of the muffin, not the center, because the cream cheese filling will always be soft and creamy
- Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly and prevent the batter from seizing up
03 -
- Use room temperature cream cheese so it blends into a silky smooth filling without lumps
- Zest your lemons before juicing them, as it is much easier to grip the fruit