Cream Cheese Filled Apple Cider Donut Muffins
These Cream Cheese Filled Apple Cider Donut Muffins are the perfect fall treat! Soft, spiced muffins made with apple cider, filled with a sweet cream cheese center, and finished with a cinnamon sugar pepita topping. They taste like a bakery-style apple cider donut but with the surprise of a creamy filling in every bite, best served warm!
Equipment
Ingredients
For the muffins:
- 1 cup Apple Cider
- 1 tsp Ground Nutmeg
- 1 tsp Ground Ginger
- 2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp Ground Allspice
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter melted
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup Whole milk or half and half
- 1 whole Egg room temperature
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
For the cream cheese filling:
- 6 oz. Cream cheese softened
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp Granulated sugar
For the cinnamon sugar topping:
- 2 tbsp Granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp Cinnamon
- 2 tbsp Raw pepitas optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, line or grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan combine the apple cider, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat and allow to simmer until reduced by about half, about 10 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.1 cup Apple Cider, 1 tsp Ground Nutmeg, 1 tsp Ground Ginger, 2 tsp Ground Cinnamon, 1/2 tsp Ground Allspice
- In a large mixing bowl combine the spiced apple cider mixture, melted butter, sugars, milk, egg, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.1/2 cup Unsalted butter, 1/2 cup Brown Sugar, packed, 1/2 cup Granulated sugar, 1/4 cup Whole milk or half and half , 2 tsp Vanilla Extract, 1 whole Egg
- Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and fold to combine, a whisk can be helpful in removing any lumps.2 cups All-purpose flour , 2 tsp Baking Powder, 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
- In a small mixing bowl combine the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Mix to combine until smooth.6 oz. Cream cheese, 1 tsp Vanilla extract , 3 tbsp Granulated sugar
- In a separate small bowl combine the cinnamon and sugar mixture.2 tbsp Granulated sugar, 1 tbsp Cinnamon
- Using a portion scoop or measuring spoon, fill each muffin cup 2/3rds of the way full with muffin batter. Add a dollop of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each. Sprinkle each muffin with a few pepitas around the edges and a heavy dusting of cinnamon sugar. Bake for 20-22 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Transfer to a cooling rack.2 tbsp Raw pepitas
- Enjoy immediately or store in the fridge for 2-3 days, these are best served warm!
Notes
*Apple pie spice can be used instead of a homemade blend of spices.
*Portion scoops are very helpful for scooping the muffin batter and the cream cheese filling cleanly!
Recipe Tips:
- Reduce the cider: Simmering the apple cider first concentrates the flavor and makes the muffins taste extra rich without adding too much liquid.
- Soften the cream cheese: Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature before mixing so the filling turns out smooth. The mixture can be mixed by hand or with a mixer.
- Don’t overmix the batter: Fold the dry ingredients in gently until just combined for light, fluffy muffins. A wire whisk helps to mix out any lumps.
- Fill the muffins evenly: Use a portion scoop to fill each muffin 2/3rds full. Add a small scoop (about a tablespoon) of cream cheese filling, then top with the cinnamon sugar.
- Coat while warm: sprinkle over extra cinnamon sugar after baking if desired.
- Swap the topping: If you don’t have pepitas, chopped pecans or walnuts add a great crunch.
Nutrition
Serving: 1muffinCalories: 308kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 4gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 220mgPotassium: 106mgFiber: 1gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 439IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 86mgIron: 1mg