From the Cook
From the Cook
From the Cook
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Warning0 allergens identified
Brown Butter Gingerbread Muffins with Cream Cheese Swirl
Wet Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
Cream Cheese Filling
Ginger Sugar Topping
Brown the Butter
1
Melt the butter in a light-colored pan over medium heat. Cook until golden brown with nutty aroma and brown specks on the bottom.
2
Remove from heat, pour butter and brown specks on the pan to a medium mixing bowl and let cool 5–10 minutes.
Cream Cheese Filling
1
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and salt.
2
Beat using a handheld or stand mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes, until smooth and creamy.
3
Set aside.
Ginger Sugar Topping
1
In a separate small bowl, mix granulated sugar and ground ginger.
2
Set aside.
Muffin Batter
1
Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). In the mixing bowl with the cooled brown butter whisk in the brown sugar until well combined.
2
Add eggs, milk, molasses, and vanilla; whisk until smooth.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices, and salt together.
4
Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and gently fold using a spatula until just combined.
5
Do not overmix.
6
Cover and let batter rest 20–30 minutes for the best rise.
Assemble
1
Line a 12-cup muffin pan (optional: leave every other cup empty for taller muffin domes).
2
Add 2 tbsp batter into each liner.
3
Add 2 tsp cream cheese and gently swirl.
4
Add 1 tbsp batter over top.
5
Dot 1 tsp cream cheese and swirl lightly.
6
Sprinkle generously with ginger sugar topping.
Bake
1
Bake at 425°F for 5 minutes, then reduce heat to 350°F and bake 12–15 minutes, or until the tops spring back when lightly pressed.
Cool and Store
1
Allow muffins to cool 10 minutes before removing from the pan.
2
Store airtight at room temperature for up to 4 days — they stay incredibly moist thanks to the cream cheese.
My Calorie Intake
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Tips & Tricks (5)
- Brown Your Butter Properly 🧈Cook butter over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, swirling occasionally until it turns golden amber with a nutty aroma—don't let it burn. Cool it completely before mixing into your batter to prevent cooking the eggs.
- The High-Heat Oven Blast 🔥Preheat your oven to 425°F and bake muffins at this temperature for the first 5 minutes, then reduce to 375°F for the remainder—this creates the tall, domed tops bakeries are famous for.
- Strategic Cream Cheese Swirl 🌀Fill muffin cups halfway, add a dollop of cream cheese mixture, then top with remaining batter and gently swirl with a toothpick—don't over-mix or the swirl will disappear into the batter.
- Bloom Your Spices in Molasses ✨Combine your dry spices with the molasses before adding other wet ingredients—this 'blooms' the spice flavors and distributes them evenly throughout the batter for maximum warming spice impact.
- Room Temperature Ingredients Rule 🌡️Use room temperature eggs, sour cream, and cream cheese for better emulsification and a tender crumb—cold ingredients create lumps and uneven mixing that can result in dense muffins.
Recipe Facts
Diet at a Glance
Vegetarian
My Calorie Intake
Smart Nutrition 
Nutrition Per Serving
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Glycemic Analysis
Glycemic Index
Glycemic Load
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