1-Preheat: Getting these muffins just right starts with a few straightforward steps that anyone can follow, even if you’re new to baking. Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F and lining a muffin pan with paper liners for easy removal later. This preparation helps ensure your muffins bake evenly and come out with that irresistible soft texture.

2-Combine wet ingredients: First, whisk together the 1 ½ cups pure pumpkin puree, ½ cup packed light brown sugar, and ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Next, add the 2 large eggs at room temperature, ½ cup sunflower oil, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, mixing everything thoroughly to create a creamy base.

3-Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¾ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, then stir in the ⅓ cup whole milk until just combined be careful not to overmix for the best results.

4-Rest the batter and prepare filling: Let the batter rest for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the ingredients to hydrate properly. While it rests, prepare the cream cheese filling by beating together 5 ounces softened cream cheese, 2 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, and 2 teaspoons whole milk until smooth. Transfer this to a piping bag for easy use.

5-Fill and bake: Fill each muffin cup to the rim with the batter, then pipe about ½ tablespoon of the cream cheese filling into the center of each one. Sprinkle chopped pumpkin seeds on top for a nice crunch and added nutrition. Bake the muffins at 425°F for 5 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350°F and continue baking for 12-15 minutes until they’re firm and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

6-Cool: After baking, let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack. For more ideas on complementary recipes, check out our vegetarian chili mac and cheese for a hearty side dish that pairs well with these muffins.