If you love bakery-style muffins with a delightful surprise inside, you’ll absolutely fall head over heels for these Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins. Each bite is bursting with juicy blueberries, pillowy-soft crumb, and an irresistible creamy cheesecake center—all topped off with crisp, golden streusel. They’re sweet, tangy, and the perfect way to treat yourself (and your lucky taste-testers) at breakfast, brunch, or snack time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Better Than Bakery: These Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins taste like something plucked right from a gourmet bakery case—soft, tall, and generously filled.
- Decadent Cream Cheese Center: That luscious cheesecake surprise in every bite makes these muffins completely crave-worthy and impossible to resist.
- Crispy Streusel Topping: The buttery crumble adds a hint of crunch and extra sweetness, giving each muffin the perfect finishing touch.
- Simple, Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: You won’t need anything fancy—just everyday ingredients that come together for a spectacular result!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t have to be a seasoned baker to whip up these Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins. With readily available staples plus a few special touches, each ingredient plays a starring role—delivering moist crumb, vibrant flavor, and that magical creamy center.
- Vegetable Oil: Ensures the muffins stay delightfully moist and tender (feel free to swap for canola or another neutral oil).
- Unsalted Butter (melted): Adds rich depth and makes the crumb irresistible.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the muffins and the filling, balancing tartness from the fruit and cream cheese.
- Egg + Egg White: The combo helps the muffins rise tall and have a delicate, pillowy bite.
- Buttermilk: Delivers tang, subtle richness, and that bakery-style soft texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Brings warmth and aroma to both the muffins and the cream cheese swirl.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base for structure—simple and reliable for perfect muffins every time.
- Cornstarch: Lightens the texture for that melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
- Baking Powder: Gives your muffins bakery-worthy lift and fluffiness.
- Salt: Don’t skip it! Salt sharpens flavors and keeps everything in balance.
- Blueberries: Fresh or frozen work—bursting pockets of juicy sweetness throughout.
- Cream Cheese (brick style, softened): The heart of the creamy filling; tangy and luxurious.
- Brown Sugar: Adds caramel warmth and crunch to the streusel.
- Butter (for streusel): Binds the topping and crisps up beautifully in the oven.
Variations
Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins are incredibly flexible, so you can easily tailor this recipe to your preferences or what you have on hand. Don’t be afraid to experiment and put your own delicious spin on them—your kitchen, your rules!
- Lemon Zest Boost: Add the zest of one lemon to the batter for a bright, sunny flavor that pairs beautifully with blueberries and cream cheese.
- Berry Swap: Replace the blueberries with raspberries, blackberries, or a mix of berries for a fun twist.
- Gluten-Free: Use your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour for muffins that everyone can enjoy.
- Nutty Crunch: Toss in a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts into the streusel or batter for extra crunch and flavor.
How to Make Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins
Step 1: Prepare The Muffin Batter
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line your muffin tin with paper liners. In a large bowl, stir together the vegetable oil and melted butter until smooth. Whisk in the granulated sugar, whole egg, and egg white until the mixture becomes light and slightly fluffy. Pour in the buttermilk and vanilla, whisking again to blend the wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk your flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients with a spatula until almost combined. Add the blueberries last, being careful not to overmix so your muffins stay tender.
Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
For the signature creamy core, beat softened brick-style cream cheese with granulated sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy. This easy mixture transforms the inside of each muffin into pure cheesecake bliss—and it takes only a minute to whip up!
Step 3: Assemble The Muffins
Scoop a spoonful of muffin batter into each lined muffin cup—just enough to cover the bottom. Drop in a teaspoon of the cream cheese filling, then top with more muffin batter to cover the filling completely. You want each muffin to have that dreamy cream cheese center, so don’t be shy with the filling!
Step 4: Prepare and Add the Streusel Topping
Combine flour, brown sugar, a pinch of salt, and melted butter to make the streusel. Use a fork to mix just until you get a crumbly texture—then sprinkle it generously over each muffin before baking. This step gives your Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins that irresistible, crunchy, bakery-style finish.
Step 5: Bake!
Bake the muffins for around 24–26 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted into the muffin part (not the cream cheese center) comes out clean. Let them cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Warm or room temperature—these muffins are a total treat either way!
Pro Tips for Making Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins
- Room Temperature Magic: For the silkiest cream cheese filling, make sure your cream cheese is well-softened before mixing—it will blend faster and stay lump-free.
- Flour Toss for Even Berries: If your blueberries tend to sink, give them a light toss in a tablespoon of flour before folding into the batter—this helps them stay suspended throughout the muffins.
- Gentle Folding: Once you incorporate the dry ingredients and blueberries, use a light hand to fold—overmixing will make the muffins tough instead of tender.
- Perfect Cream Cheese Layer: Drop the cream cheese filling right in the center and don’t press it down—this keeps the lush cheesecake surprise right in each muffin’s heart.
How to Serve Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins
Garnishes
For a little extra bakery flair, dust the tops of your cooled Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a drizzle of simple lemon glaze. A scattering of fresh blueberries on the serving platter adds a pop of color and freshness that guests will love.
Side Dishes
Pair these muffins with a tangy Greek yogurt parfait, fresh fruit, or a hot cup of coffee or tea for the ultimate brunch spread. For something heartier, serve alongside scrambled eggs or a light, leafy salad for a sweet-savory contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins in tulip muffin liners for a coffee shop-style look or arrange them on a rustic wooden board with sprigs of mint and edible flowers for a beautiful brunch centerpiece. For special occasions, wrap each muffin in parchment and tie with baker’s twine for a charming take-home treat!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, store your Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Because of the cream cheese filling, refrigeration is best—and they’ll stay fresh and moist for up to 4 days.
Freezing
Want to keep muffins on hand for later? Simply wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap and freeze in a zip-top bag or airtight container. They’ll keep their great texture and flavor for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a few hours.
Reheating
For that just-baked warmth, pop a muffin in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds or reheat in a preheated 300°F (150°C) oven for about 8 minutes. The cream cheese filling will be extra luscious and the muffin crumb perfectly soft!
FAQs
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Can I use frozen blueberries in Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins?
Absolutely! Frozen blueberries work wonderfully in this recipe. You don’t need to thaw them first—just toss the frozen berries in a bit of flour and gently fold into your batter to prevent them from sinking and turning the muffins purple.
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How do I prevent the cream cheese filling from leaking out?
Be sure to place the cream cheese filling in the center and cover it well with muffin batter before sprinkling on the streusel. This creates a sealed pocket so the filling stays inside every muffin.
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Can I make Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute your favorite dairy-free cream cheese, a plant-based butter, and use a nondairy milk with lemon juice (as a buttermilk replacement). The muffins will have a slightly different taste and texture but will still be moist and delicious.
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Can I make these muffins ahead of time for brunch or a party?
Definitely—these Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins can be baked a day in advance. Store them covered in the fridge; let them come to room temperature or gently reheat before serving for the freshest taste and texture.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a joyful baking project or a treat to share, Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins are always a hit. I hope you find as much comfort and delight in these as I do, and that your kitchen fills with warmth, laughter, and that irresistible aroma of muffins fresh from the oven. Happy baking—don’t forget to save one for yourself!
PrintBlueberry Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 15 muffins 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Oven
Description
These Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins are a delightful treat, perfect for breakfast or a snack. The moist muffin base is filled with a sweet cream cheese filling and topped with a buttery streusel. A burst of juicy blueberries in every bite!
Ingredients
Muffins
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
- 4 Tablespoons (57 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg + 1 large egg white, room temperature preferred
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) buttermilk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cup (220 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups (210 g) blueberries
Filling
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese (brick), softened
- 1/3 cup (67 g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Streusel Topping
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (50 g) brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons butter, melted but not too hot
Instructions
- Muffins – Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
- Add sugar, egg, and egg white and whisk very well until combined.
- Add buttermilk and vanilla extract and whisk to combine.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, fold gently until combined.
- Add blueberries, stir to combine.
- Filling – In a bowl, mix cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Streusel Topping – In a bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, salt, and melted butter until crumbly.
- Assemble muffins by layering batter, cream cheese filling, and streusel topping.
- Bake for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Enjoy!
In a large bowl, stir together oil and butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg