Name: Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 tbsp melted salted butter; ¾ cup packed brown sugar; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 2 eggs; 1 cup pumpkin puree; ¼ cup milk; 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 2 tsp baking powder; ½ tsp baking soda; 1 tsp cinnamon; 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice; ½ tsp kosher salt; ¾ cup all-purpose flour; ½ cup packed brown sugar; 1 tsp cinnamon; 6 tbsp cold salted butter, cubed; 4 oz cream cheese, cut into 16 cubes; 4 tbsp salted butter, at room temperature; 2 tbsp honey; ½ tsp ground cinnamon

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 8 reviews

If you’re yearning for the coziest, most crave-worthy fall treat, look no further than Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter. Each muffin is a warm, autumnal hug: tender pumpkin crumb, a surprise pocket of soft cream cheese, a buttery brown sugar streusel, and that swoon-worthy swirl of cinnamon honey butter melting over the top. From chilly mornings to lazy weekends, these irresistible muffins quickly become an adored staple for pumpkin lovers and brunch enthusiasts alike!

Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the ingredients for Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter is blissfully simple, but each is truly essential. Every element works magic together—the pumpkin for rich moisture, warm spices for cozy aroma, and that dreamy cinnamon honey butter for the perfect finishing touch.

Salted Butter: Both melted and at room temperature, it adds a rich, slightly salty depth to both muffins and cinnamon honey butter.
Brown Sugar: Packed brown sugar infuses the crumb and streusel with caramel notes and a deep, earthy sweetness.
Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla enhances the overall warmth and aroma.
Eggs: These bind everything together and give the muffins an ultra-tender texture.
Pumpkin Puree: The heart of the recipe! Canned pumpkin turns the muffins moist and infuses each bite with real autumn flavor.
Milk: Just enough to create a smooth, creamy batter that bakes up light and moist.
All-Purpose Flour: Used in both the muffin base and the streusel, providing structure and subtle density.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leaveners ensure your muffins rise with a beautiful dome.
Cinnamon & Pumpkin Pie Spice: The classic warm spices! They make every bite taste—and smell—like fall.
Kosher Salt: A tiny bit balances out the sweetness and brightens the pumpkin flavor.
Cream Cheese: Cutting it into cubes creates an irresistible, creamy surprise in the middle of each muffin.
Honey: Paired with butter and cinnamon, it elevates the spread to something truly special.

How to Make Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Line 16 muffin tins with paper liners; this ensures each Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffin with Cinnamon Honey Butter pops out easily and looks bakery-perfect. Prepping your pans first makes the rest of the process smooth sailing!

Step 2: Mix the Muffin Batter

In a large bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla. Use a whisk or mixer to blend these until smooth and glossy. Next, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Pour in pumpkin puree and milk, and beat again until creamy and luscious. Now, stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Mix on low speed just until no streaks of flour remain—the batter should be thick, cohesive, and full of autumn color (don’t over-mix!)

Step 3: Make the Streusel Topping

In a separate medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add cubes of cold salted butter, then use your fingers (or a pastry blender) to work the butter into the dry mix until you get a crumbly, sandy mixture. This streusel will bake up golden and create a crave-worthy, sweet crust on each muffin.

Step 4: Assemble the Muffins

Divide your muffin batter evenly among the prepared tins. Gently push a cube of cream cheese into the center of each one (the secret to the creamy pocket!). Sprinkle each muffin generously with the crumbly streusel. Now your muffin tray is looking irresistible already!

Step 5: Bake and Check

Pop the tray into the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until your kitchen is filled with sensational pumpkin spice aromas and a toothpick inserted in the muffins comes out mostly clean (there will be a bit of cream cheese on it, that’s perfect!). Let the muffins cool in the tin for five minutes before transferring to a rack.

Step 6: Make the Cinnamon Honey Butter

While the muffins are baking, whip up the starring spread! Mix room-temperature butter, honey, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl until completely smooth and light. This takes just a minute, and transforms these muffins into a next-level breakfast treat.

Step 7: Serve and Savor

Spread a generous dollop of your homemade cinnamon honey butter on warm muffins—watch it melt into all the nooks and crannies. Serve the Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter immediately when they’re at their fluffiest and most fragrant.

How to Serve Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter

Garnishes

Keep it simple: finish each warm muffin with a pat of cinnamon honey butter, and add a sprinkle of cinnamon or freshly grated nutmeg for a boost of color and aroma. A drizzle of honey on top can make them look (and taste) bakery-worthy, and a tiny dash of coarse sea salt balances the sweetness beautifully.

Side Dishes

Pair these Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter alongside fresh fruit (like orange slices, apple wedges, or berries) for a bright, refreshing contrast. They also shine with a creamy yogurt parfait or a classic cup of hot coffee—or go all-in with a fancy pumpkin spice latte for a true autumn celebration!

Creative Ways to Present

These muffins are beautiful and delicious on their own, but you can amp them up for entertaining. Arrange them on a vintage cake stand, surround with cinnamon sticks and mini pumpkins for a fall brunch vibe, or tuck warm muffins into a breadbasket wrapped in a linen towel and nestle a little ramekin of cinnamon honey butter in the center for sharing at the table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter (lucky you!), keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Make sure they’ve cooled all the way before closing the lid to prevent sogginess. The cinnamon honey butter can be stored covered in the fridge for up to one week.

Freezing

These muffins freeze beautifully! Once completely cooled, wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap or foil and pop them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep well for two to three months. For the cinnamon honey butter, freeze it in a small airtight container—just let it thaw in the fridge before using.

Reheating

To enjoy muffins as if they were freshly baked, microwave each unwrapped muffin for about 15 to 20 seconds. For an oven reheat, warm them at 325 degrees F for 7 to 10 minutes. Soften your cinnamon honey butter at room temperature or give it a quick (5-second) zap in the microwave before spreading.

FAQs

Can I use homemade pumpkin puree instead of canned?

Absolutely! Homemade pumpkin puree works wonderfully, just make sure you strain out any excess liquid so your batter doesn’t get too wet. The flavor might even be richer and a little earthier.

How do I make sure the cream cheese filling doesn’t leak out?

Push the cream cheese cube right into the middle of each muffin and make sure there’s batter both underneath and on top of the cube. As the muffins bake, the batter will rise and seal the surprise inside!

What if I don’t have pumpkin pie spice?

No problem at all. Use 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and a pinch each of ground ginger and cloves to create a homemade substitute. Your muffins will still taste perfectly spiced!

Can I make Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter gluten-free?

Yes! Simply swap in a good-quality 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour in both the batter and streusel. Just be sure to check the rest of your ingredients to confirm they’re gluten-free as well.

Can I double the cinnamon honey butter for other uses?

Oh, definitely! It’s divine spread on pancakes, waffles, toast, or stirred into hot oatmeal. Go ahead and double (or triple!) the cinnamon honey butter recipe if you want a stash ready to go for days of cozy breakfasts.

Final Thoughts

You honestly can’t go wrong with these Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter—the combination is outrageously good, and the cozy flavors are destined to make morning memories. If you’re ready for a feel-good fall treat, give these muffins a try and share them with people you love. Happy baking!