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Home » Recipes » Breakfast and Brunch

Easy Strawberry Muffins With Cream Cheese

Modified: Aug 4, 2023 · Published: Aug 2, 2021 by Ashlyn Meredith · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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These Easy Strawberry Muffins With Cream Cheese are the most delicious breakfast treat. They are packed with fresh, juicy strawberries, filled with a creamy cheesecake filling in the center and topped with a graham cracker crumble. These are perfect if you are hosting a Sunday morning breakfast or brunch and really want to impress the crowd!

A strawberry cheesecake muffin in a white parchment paper liner topped with a strawberry.

These easy strawberry cream cheese muffins are easy to put together but taste like you were in the kitchen all day! The fresh strawberries combined with zesty lemon juice really gives each muffin such great flavor. Add that sweet cream cheese filling and you've got quite the breakfast treat!

This muffin recipe originally just had a chunk of cream cheese inserted in the middle, but I've redone this recipe to make it so much better. The cheesecake filling melts into the muffin batter and creates such a great flavor combo.

For more quick breakfast ideas, try one of these: Oatmeal Bread, Easy Strawberry Lemon Muffins with Crumb Topping or Baked Oats for One.

Jump to:
  • Why You Will Love These
  • Ingredients Needed
  • Step by Step Instructions
  • Expert Tips
  • FAQ
  • Storing and Freezing
  • Other Recipes to Try
  • Recipe

Why You Will Love These

  • The strawberries. Making this strawberry cream cheese muffin recipe during the peak of strawberry season will give you the best strawberry flavor. The sweet strawberries bake so nicely in the muffin batter and pair perfectly with the other ingredients.
  • The cheesecake center. The creamy, sweet cheesecake center makes it seem like you've got a little dessert stuffed right into your fluffy muffin. The cream cheese filling is the best surprise when you bite in!
  • The graham cracker crumble. The graham cracker crumble that is generously sprinkled on the top of the delicious muffins not only looks great, it tastes great too. Mixed with butter and sugar, the crumbs add the perfect little crunch and sweetness to the tops and resemble a cheesecake crust flavor.
A bite out of a strawberry cheesecake muffin.

Ingredients Needed

Here are notes about some of the ingredients needed to make these awesome strawberry cheesecake muffins. All of the ingredients can be found at your local grocery store or an online retailer, like Amazon.

  • Cream cheese: Full fat softened cream cheese is going to be best for this recipe. Take the cream cheese out of the refrigerator about 2 hours before you plan to use it.
  • Sugar: Granulated white sugar is all you'll need.
  • Eggs: You will use one whole egg and one egg yolk.
  • Vanilla: I prefer to use vanilla bean paste but vanilla extract works just as great!
  • Graham cracker crumbs: Use about 4 sheets of graham crackers to make ½ cup of crumbs. I just put them in a zip top bag and crush them with a glass or rolling pin. (A perfect task for little hands that want to help!)
  • Butter: Unsalted butter that is melted and cooled is used in both the batter and the graham cracker crumble.
  • Flour: White all purpose flour will work best in this recipe.
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Baking soda
  • Milk: You can use whichever percentage of milk you have on hand.
  • Lemon juice: Fresh squeezed lemon juice tastes best but bottled works too!
  • Strawberries: Fresh strawberries that are coarsely chopped.
Cheesecake filling ingredients in varying bowl shapes and sizes for strawberry cheesecake muffins.
Ingredients for cheesecake filling.
Graham cracker crumble ingredients in varying bowl shpaes and sizes.
Ingredients for graham cracker crumble.
Strawberry cheesecake muffin ingredients in varying bowl shapes and sizes.
Ingredients for strawberry muffins.

Step by Step Instructions

Here is how to make this easy recipe for these strawberry cheesecake muffins. For the full recipe and ingredient list, see the recipe card below. For this recipe you will need two muffin tins and muffin liners.

Make the Cheesecake Filling

STEP 1: Place the cream cheese in a medium sized bowl. Using a hand mixer, beat on low until it is nice and smooth.

STEP 2: Add the sugar, egg yolk and vanilla and continue to beat on low just until it is combined and you no longer see the egg yolk. Set this aside.

Cheesecake filling preparation in a glass bowl.
Cheesecake filling preparation in a glass bowl.

Make the Graham Cracker Crumble

STEP 1: In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar and vanilla. Stir until it is thoroughly mixed and crumbly. Set this aside.

Graham cracker crumble in a white bowl with a spoon.

Make the Muffins

STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line two muffin tins with six muffin liners each, leaving empty space between each one.

A muffin tin with muffin liners in everyother hole.

STEP 2: In a medium sized bowl, combine the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda). Stir with a whisk until combined.

STEP 3: In a small bowl, combine the milk, lemon juice, butter, and egg. Stir this with a whisk until it is fully combined and then add it to the flour mixture. Stir with a fork until it is just combined.

Strawberry cheesecake muffin dry ingredient preparation in a glass bowl.
Strawberry cheesecake muffin preparation in glass bowl.

STEP 4: Add the strawberries and fold them in carefully using a rubber spatula.

Strawberry cheesecake muffin preparation in a glass bowl.

STEP 5: Fill each muffin cup liner with about 2 tablespoons of the muffin mixture. Top the batter with about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture. Top the cheesecake mixture with about 2 more tablespoons of the muffin batter. Sprinkle the tops generously with the graham cracker crumble.

A muffin tin with muffin liners and strawberry cheesecake muffin batter and cheesecake filling in the bottom.
A muffin tin with muffin liners and strawberry cheesecake muffin batter in the bottom and a scoop of batter going on top.
A sprinkle of graham cracker crumble going on the top of strawberry cheesecake muffins.

STEP 6: Bake muffins in the preheated oven for 9 minutes. Then reduce the heat (without opening the oven door) to 350°F and bake for 8-10 more minutes or until they are lightly browning around the edges.

STEP 7: Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool slightly in the pan before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm (the best way!), at room temperature or cold from the refrigerator!

A strawberry cheesecake muffins in a white parchment paper liner topped with a strawberry.

Expert Tips

Here are some tips for how to make cheesecake muffins:

  • To switch up the flavor, swap the strawberries for blueberries and the lemon juice for orange juice!
  • Do not open the oven when you reduce it from 425°F to 350°F.  Starting the cooking temperature higher, helps the muffins to get their dome shaped top.
  • Filling every other cup of the muffin liner also helps the muffins to bake up higher.
  • Prepare muffin batter and cheesecake filling the night before, or several hours before, you plan to do your baking. Store, covered, in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake.
  • Save a little bit of the graham cracker crumble to sprinkle on the top of each muffin after baking.
  • Top with slices of extra strawberries for a special added touch!
  • Add the some lemon zest to the crumble or sprinkle a little on top after the muffins have baked for additional lemon flavor.

FAQ

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Yes. You can use thawed frozen strawberries in place of fresh strawberries in this recipe for strawberry muffins with cream cheese.

Can I use fat free or reduced fat cream cheese?

You could, but the consistency and taste will be altered. To save some calories, this would be a good idea, but note that the texture and flavor will be slightly different.

Can I make these without muffin liners?

Sure! Just be sure to thoroughly coat your muffin liner with cooking spray before filling.

A strawberry cheesecake muffin in a white parchment paper liner topped with a strawberry.

Storing and Freezing

Baked muffins can be kept in an airtight container or zip top bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Serve cold from the refrigerator or warm in the microwave, wrapped in a paper towel for 15-20 seconds.

Freeze baked muffins in an airtight container or zip top bag for up to 3 months. Allow muffins to come to room temperature for about an hour before serving.

A strawberry cheesecake muffin in a white parchment paper liner topped with a strawberry.

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Recipe

A strawberry cheesecake muffin in a white parchment paper liner topped with a strawberry.

Easy Strawberry Muffins With Cream Cheese

These Easy Strawberry Muffins With Cream Cheese are the most delicious breakfast treat. They are packed with fresh, juicy strawberries, filled with a creamy cheesecake filling in the center and topped with a graham cracker crumble. These are perfect if you are hosting a Sunday morning breakfast or brunch and really want to impress the crowd!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin SAVE Saved!
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 18 minutes mins
Total Time 38 minutes mins
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 12 muffins
Calories 255 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Cheesecake Filling:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Graham Cracker Crumble:

  • ½ cup graham cracker crumbs (about 4 sheets)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

For the Muffins:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ cup milk
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup strawberries, chopped

Instructions
 

For the Cheesecake Filling:

  • In a medium sized bowl, add the cream cheese.  Using a hand mixer, beat on low speed until smooth.  Add the sugar, egg yolk and vanilla and continue to beat just until mixed.  Set aside.
    8 ounces cream cheese, softened, ¼ cup sugar, 1 large egg yolk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Graham Cracker Crumble:

  • In a small bowl combine graham cracker cracker crumbs, butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt.  Stir until combined and crumbly.
    ½ cup graham cracker crumbs (about 4 sheets), 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled, 2 teaspoons sugar, ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, Pinch of salt

For the Muffins:

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line two muffin tins with 6 liners each, leaving empty spaces between each one.
  • In a medium bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Stir with a whisk to combine.
    2 cups flour, 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon baking soda, 1 cup sugar
  • In a small bowl, combine milk, lemon juice, butter, and egg. Stir with a whisk to combine. Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture. Stir with a fork just until combined. Fold in strawberries. 
    ½ cup milk, ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons), 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled, 1 large egg, 1 cup strawberries, chopped
  • Fill each muffin liner with about 2 tablespoons of batter.  Top with about 1 tablespoon cream cheese mixture and then about 2 more tablespoons of batter.  Sprinkle the tops generously with the graham cracker mixture.
  • Bake in the prepared 425°F oven for 9 minutes then reduce the heat to 350° F and continue to bake for 8-10 minutes or until just lightly browning around the edges. Let the muffins cool slightly in the pan and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 255kcal | Carbohydrates: 47.1g | Protein: 3.8g | Fat: 6.1g | Saturated Fat: 3.6g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 299mg | Potassium: 133mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 17.9g | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 1mg

Please note that these nutrition facts are approximations and may not be entirely precise.

Keyword cheesecake, cream cheese, muffin, strawberry
Did you make this recipe?Leave a comment below and tag @heysnickerdoodle on social!

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5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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I'm Ashlyn and I'm the human behind Hey, Snickerdoodle where you will find approachable, simple recipes that are attainable for any home chef.

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A strawberry cheesecake muffin in a white parchment paper liner topped with a strawberry.

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