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Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins

Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins for a Zesty Morning Boost

Delightful Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins bursting with zesty flavor and a creamy surprise, perfect for breakfast or a snack.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 12 muffins
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Calories: 210
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Muffin Batter
  • 2.5 cups All-Purpose Flour gluten-free flour works as a substitute
  • 1 cup Granulated Sugar try using Stevia for a lower-calorie version
  • 0.25 cups Light Brown Sugar dark brown sugar can also be used
  • 0.5 teaspoon Salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 0.25 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 2 large Eggs flax or chia eggs for vegan option
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon Zest
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
  • 1 teaspoon Lemon Extract use more lemon juice if not available
  • 0.67 cups Greek Yogurt sour cream can be used as a substitute
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice
For the Cream Cheese Filling
  • 8 oz. Cream Cheese room temperature
For the Streusel Topping
  • 6 tablespoons Unsalted Butter plus 1/3 cup
  • 0.5 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 0.25 cups Granulated Sugar
  • 0.25 cups Light Brown Sugar can swap with dark brown sugar
  • 0.25 teaspoon Salt
For the Glaze
  • 0.75 cups Powdered Sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice mix with powdered sugar

Equipment

  • Muffin pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • fork

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the ingredients for streusel topping and mix until coarse crumbs form.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry muffin batter ingredients, then cream butter and sugar in another bowl.
  4. Stir in eggs, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and lemon extract to the butter mixture and combine.
  5. Gently fold in Greek yogurt and lemon juice, then add the dry ingredients until just combined.
  6. Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth for the filling.
  7. Fill muffin liners with batter, add cream cheese filling, and top with more muffin batter.
  8. Sprinkle streusel topping over each muffin before baking.
  9. Bake muffins at 350°F (175°C) for 22-25 minutes until golden brown.
  10. Cool muffins in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
  11. Prepare the glaze and drizzle over the cooled muffins before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1muffinCalories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 3gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 160mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 6IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 4mg

Notes

For best results, follow the expert tips on softening cream cheese, mixing carefully, and ensuring proper baking times.

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