Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins (Printable Version)
Moist muffins bursting with fresh lemon flavor and 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 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
06 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
07 - 1/2 cup whole milk
08 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
09 - 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 tablespoon lemon zest
11 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Cream Cheese Filling
12 - 6 oz cream cheese, softened
13 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
14 - 1 egg yolk
15 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
→ Topping
16 - 2 tablespoons coarse sugar
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease thoroughly.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - In a separate bowl, combine melted butter, milk, eggs, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Mix until fully incorporated.
04 - Gently fold wet ingredients into dry mixture until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough texture.
05 - Blend softened cream cheese with sugar, egg yolk, and lemon zest in small bowl until smooth and creamy.
06 - Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons batter into each muffin cup. Place 1 heaping teaspoon cream cheese filling in center, then cover with remaining batter until cups are 3/4 full.
07 - Sprinkle coarse sugar evenly over muffin tops if desired for crunchy texture.
08 - Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until golden brown. Test doneness by inserting toothpick into edge (avoiding cream cheese center)—it should come out clean.
09 - Let muffins cool in tin for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack. Cool completely before storing.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The cream cheese center creates an incredibly moist, tender crumb that stays fresh for days unlike traditional muffins that dry out quickly
- Fresh lemon zest and juice give these a bright, sunny flavor that feels like spring on your plate no matter the season
02 -
- Always check for doneness at the edge of the muffin, not the center—the cream cheese filling remains soft and creamy even when fully baked
- Room temperature ingredients combine more smoothly and create a more even texture—plan ahead and set everything out 30 minutes before baking
03 -
- Use room temperature cream cheese so it blends smoothly without any lumps in your filling
- Zest your lemons before cutting them open—this technique keeps the fruit intact and makes juicing easier