Imagine starting your day with a burst of citrus freshness combined with a rich, creamy center that melts in your mouth. These Zesty Lemon Cream Cheese Delight Muffins are a perfect fusion of tangy lemon and smooth cream cheese, creating a light and luscious treat that’s ideal for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Topped with a sweet lemon glaze, these muffins are not only easy to make but sure to impress anyone with their decadent flavor. Follow this recipe for a delightful homemade treat that captures the essence of sunshine in every bite.
Ingredients:
For the Muffins:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 2 lemons
- Juice of 1 lemon
For the Creamy Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Lemon Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Muffin Batter:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a spacious bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Use a whisk to thoroughly combine all the dry ingredients.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
- Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, stirring gently until everything is just combined.
- Avoid over-mixing, as this can make the muffins dense.
2. Make the Cream Cheese Filling:
- In a medium-sized bowl, blend the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
3. Assemble the Muffins:
- Spoon the muffin batter into each liner, filling them about halfway.
- Add a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture in the center of each muffin.
- Top each with more batter, ensuring the cream cheese is covered.
4. Bake:
- Bake the muffins for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the muffin (not the cream cheese center) comes out clean.
- Let the muffins sit in the tin for 5 minutes to cool slightly before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Prepare the Lemon Glaze:
- While the muffins are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth and drizzle-worthy.
- Once the muffins have cooled, drizzle the lemon glaze generously over the top.
Conclusion:
These Zesty Lemon Cream Cheese Delight Muffins are the perfect combination of tangy, creamy, and sweet. With the burst of fresh lemon flavor in every bite, combined with the velvety cream cheese filling, these muffins are a show-stopping treat. Whether you’re sharing them with family or keeping them all to yourself, they’re guaranteed to brighten your day!