These Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins with Streusel Topping are a true delight for the senses. The muffins themselves are soft and moist, infused with the bright, tangy flavor of lemon, perfectly complemented by the rich, smooth cream cheese filling. The streusel topping adds a delightful crunch, creating a contrast of textures that is simply irresistible.
The beauty of these muffins lies not only in their flavor but also in their appearance. The golden-brown streusel topping, speckled with hints of brown sugar, sits atop the lemon-infused muffin like a crown, inviting you to take a bite. These muffins are perfect for a leisurely brunch, a sweet snack, or as a thoughtful homemade gift. They’re not just a treat for the palate but a feast for the eyes as well.
Table of contents
Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe
Ingredients
Streusel Crumb Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Lemon Muffins:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- 2/3 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze:
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ – 2 ½ teaspoons lemon juice
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Directions
- Preheat and Prepare: Start by heating your oven to 425°F (220°C). Get your 12-cup muffin tin ready by lining it with paper liners.
- Make the Streusel Topping: In a bowl, combine 1 cup flour, both sugars, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Pour in the melted butter and use a fork to mix until you get coarse crumbs. Put this aside for later.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups flour, baking soda, baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Set this mixture aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a large bowl, beat the softened butter and ¾ cup sugar together on high speed for about 2 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Flavors: To the creamed butter and sugar, add the eggs, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and lemon extract. Continue mixing for another 2 minutes.
- Incorporate Yogurt and Lemon Juice: Gently mix in the Greek yogurt and lemon juice until just combined.
- Blend in Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mix, keeping the mixer on a low speed, just until the mixture is evenly combined.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, blend together the cream cheese, ¼ cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth.
- Assemble the Muffins: Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the muffin mixture into each muffin cup. Place a tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture in the center of each. Then, cover the cream cheese with more muffin mixture, filling each cup to about 2/3 or ¾ full.
- Add Streusel Topping: Sprinkle the prepared streusel topping generously over each muffin.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven. Immediately reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and set in the center.
- Cool: Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare and Apply Glaze: While the muffins are cooling, prepare the glaze by mixing powdered sugar with lemon juice to your preferred consistency. Drizzle this glaze over the cooled muffins.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Kcal: 320 kcal | Servings: 12 muffins
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Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins FAQS
Adding lemon juice to cream cheese, especially in recipes like Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins, serves a few purposes:
Flavor Enhancement: Lemon juice imparts a bright, tangy flavor that complements the rich, creamy taste of cream cheese. This combination creates a delightful contrast in flavors, enhancing the overall taste experience of the muffin.
Texture: Lemon juice can slightly thin the cream cheese, making it easier to incorporate into the muffin batter or to use as a filling. This helps in achieving a smoother, more spreadable consistency.
Chemical Reaction: In some recipes, the acidity of lemon juice can react with baking soda or baking powder, aiding in the leavening process. This reaction can contribute to a lighter, fluffier texture in baked goods.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tough, dense muffins. Mix just until the dry and wet ingredients are combined.
Correct Balance of Ingredients: Using ingredients like yogurt, sour cream, or buttermilk can add moisture to the muffins. Fats like butter or oil are also crucial for a tender crumb.
Baking Time and Temperature: Overbaking can dry out muffins. Make sure to bake them just until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Sometimes starting the oven at a higher temperature and then reducing it can help create a burst of steam that lifts the muffin top, then baking at a lower temperature ensures they cook through without drying out.
Proper Storage: Once cooled, store muffins in an airtight container to keep them moist. Avoid leaving them out in the open air for extended periods.
Ingredient Quality: Fresh, high-quality ingredients can make a significant difference in the moisture and overall texture of the muffins.
By paying attention to these details, you can achieve deliciously moist and flavorful muffins every time.
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Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins
Brighten your day with these zesty Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins, topped with a delicious streusel! A perfect balance of tangy and sweet. ????????
Ingredients
Streusel Crumb Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Lemon Muffins:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- 2/3 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze:
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ – 2 ½ teaspoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Start by heating your oven to 425°F (220°C). Get your 12-cup muffin tin ready by lining it with paper liners.
- Make the Streusel Topping: In a bowl, combine 1 cup flour, both sugars, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Pour in the melted butter and use a fork to mix until you get coarse crumbs. Put this aside for later.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups flour, baking soda, baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Set this mixture aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a large bowl, beat the softened butter and ¾ cup sugar together on high speed for about 2 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Flavors: To the creamed butter and sugar, add the eggs, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and lemon extract. Continue mixing for another 2 minutes.
- Incorporate Yogurt and Lemon Juice: Gently mix in the Greek yogurt and lemon juice until just combined.
- Blend in Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mix, keeping the mixer on a low speed, just until the mixture is evenly combined.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, blend together the cream cheese, ¼ cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth.
- Assemble the Muffins: Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the muffin mixture into each muffin cup. Place a tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture in the center of each. Then, cover the cream cheese with more muffin mixture, filling each cup to about 2/3 or ¾ full.
- Add Streusel Topping: Sprinkle the prepared streusel topping generously over each muffin.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven. Immediately reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and set in the center.
- Cool: Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare and Apply Glaze: While the muffins are cooling, prepare the glaze by mixing powdered sugar with lemon juice to your preferred consistency. Drizzle this glaze over the cooled muffins.