Name: Easy Cappuccino Coffee Muffins with Espresso Cream Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 oz cream cheese, cubed and softened; 1 Tbsp granulated sugar; 1/2 tsp instant coffee granules; 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract; 1/4 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 cup 2% milk; 2 Tbsp instant coffee granules (dissolve in milk); 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 large egg; 1 tsp pure vanilla extract; 3/4 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

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What if you could capture the cozy, aromatic experience of your favorite coffee shop and transform it into a delicious, tender muffin? Imagine sinking your teeth into a warm, cinnamon-spiced pastry, studded with melting chocolate chips and infused with the rich flavor of coffee. It’s the perfect way to start your day, and it’s easier to make at home than you think.

Contents

What You’ll Need: Ingredients
Timing
Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Espresso Cream Cheese Spread
Step 2: Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Tin
Step 3: Combine the Dry Muffin Ingredients
Step 4: Mix the Wet Muffin Ingredients
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry & Fold in Chocolate Chips
Step 6: Fill and Bake the Muffins
Step 7: Cool and Serve Your Coffee Muffins

Nutritional Information
Healthier Alternatives
Serving Suggestions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Storing and Make-Ahead Tips
Conclusion
FAQs

Q1. Can I use brewed coffee instead of instant coffee granules?
Q2. Can I use regular-sized chocolate chips?
Q3. I don’t have a food processor. How can I make the espresso spread?

Easy Cappuccino Coffee Muffins with Espresso Cream Cheese

Description
Ingredients

For the Espresso Cream Cheese Spread
For the Cappuccino Muffins

Instructions
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?

This recipe for Cappuccino Muffins is a coffee lover’s dream come true. We’re not just making any old breakfast pastry; we’re creating the ultimate coffee muffins that are moist, flavourful, and incredibly simple to whip up. But the real showstopper is the Espresso Cream Cheese Spread served alongside—a cool, tangy, and sweet schmear that elevates these muffins from simply delicious to absolutely unforgettable.

What You’ll Need: Ingredients

This recipe is divided into two simple components: the dreamy espresso spread and the tender cappuccino muffins. You likely have most of these pantry staples on hand already.

Component	Ingredient	Amount/Quantity
For the Espresso Cream Cheese Spread	Cream cheese, cubed and softened	4 ounces
	Granulated sugar	1 tablespoon
	Instant coffee granules	1/2 teaspoon
	Pure vanilla extract	1/2 teaspoon
	Miniature semisweet chocolate chips	1/4 cup
For the Cappuccino Muffins	All-purpose flour	2 cups
	Granulated sugar	3/4 cup
	Baking powder	2-1/2 teaspoons
	Ground cinnamon	1 teaspoon
	Salt	1/2 teaspoon
	2% milk	1 cup
	Instant coffee granules	2 tablespoons
	Unsalted butter, melted	1/2 cup
	Large egg	1
	Pure vanilla extract	1 teaspoon
	Miniature semisweet chocolate chips	3/4 cup

Timing

This entire coffee-shop-worthy treat comes together in about half an hour, making it perfect for a quick breakfast or a delightful afternoon snack.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create perfectly moist and flavourful cappuccino muffins with their irresistible cream cheese spread.

Step 1: Prepare the Espresso Cream Cheese Spread

Let’s start with the delicious spread so it can chill while the muffins bake. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the softened cream cheese cubes, sugar, instant coffee granules, and vanilla extract. Cover and process the mixture until it is completely smooth and well blended. Transfer the spread to a small bowl, stir in the ¼ cup of miniature chocolate chips, then cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.

Step 2: Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Tin

Get your oven ready for baking. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a standard 12-cup muffin tin by greasing it well or lining it with paper muffin cups.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Muffin Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Combining the dry ingredients first ensures that the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed, which is key for a perfect, uniform bake.

Step 4: Mix the Wet Muffin Ingredients

In a separate, medium-sized bowl, combine the milk and the 2 tablespoons of instant coffee granules. Stir until the coffee has completely dissolved into the milk. Once dissolved, whisk in the melted butter, the large egg, and the vanilla extract until everything is well combined.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry & Fold in Chocolate Chips

Now it’s time to bring it all together. Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the large bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir with a spatula or wooden spoon just until the ingredients are moistened.

Pro Tip: The most important rule of muffin-making is to not overmix! A few lumps in the batter are perfectly fine and are the secret to a tender, fluffy muffin.

Finally, gently fold in the ¾ cup of miniature chocolate chips.

Step 6: Fill and Bake the Muffins

Divide the batter evenly among the 12 prepared muffin cups, filling each one about two-thirds full. Bake for 17-20 minutes. You’ll know the muffins are done when a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Step 7: Cool and Serve Your Coffee Muffins

Let the muffins cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before carefully removing them and transferring them to a wire rack. For the ultimate experience, serve the muffins warm with a generous schmear of the chilled espresso cream cheese spread.

Nutritional Information

Here is an estimated nutritional breakdown per muffin, including about a tablespoon of the espresso spread.

Calories: 310 kcal
Protein: 5 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g (Sugar: 25 g)
Fat: 15 g (Saturated Fat: 9 g)

Healthier Alternatives

While these muffins are a delightful treat, you can make a few simple swaps:

Add Whole Grains: For a fiber boost, you can substitute up to half of the all-purpose flour with white whole wheat flour.
Lighter Spread: Use Neufchâtel cheese, which has about one-third less fat than regular cream cheese, for a lighter version of the espresso spread.
Milk Swap: You can use low-fat milk or your favorite unsweetened plant-based milk (like almond or oat milk) in the muffin batter.

Serving Suggestions

These cappuccino muffins are a complete treat, designed to be enjoyed with their custom espresso spread.

The Perfect Breakfast: Start your morning off right with a warm muffin, a thick layer of the cool cream cheese spread, and a hot cup of your favorite coffee or tea.
Afternoon Pick-Me-Up: These muffins are the ideal snack to beat the mid-afternoon slump. They are satisfying, flavourful, and have just the right amount of coffee kick.
Brunch Star: Arrange a platter of these muffins for your next brunch gathering. They are sure to be a huge hit and look beautiful on a serving tray.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Follow these tips to ensure your coffee muffins are perfectly tender and delicious every time.

Overmixing the Muffin Batter: This is the most common muffin mistake and it develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough, dense, and rubbery muffins.
- Solution: Mix the wet and dry ingredients only until you no longer see streaks of dry flour. The batter should be lumpy—that’s a good thing!
Using Cold Cream Cheese: If your cream cheese is straight from the fridge, it won’t blend smoothly and will result in a lumpy spread.
- Solution: Let your cream cheese sit on the counter for about 30-45 minutes to soften to room temperature before you start making the spread.
Coffee Granules Not Dissolving: If the instant coffee isn’t fully dissolved, you can end up with bitter, gritty specks in your muffins.
- Solution: Make sure you stir the coffee granules into the milk until the liquid is uniform in color and no granules are visible at the bottom of the bowl.

Storing and Make-Ahead Tips

Here’s how to store your muffins and spread to keep them fresh.

Storing: It’s best to store the muffins and the spread separately. The muffins can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The espresso cream cheese spread must be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and will keep for up to one week.
Freezing: These muffins freeze beautifully! Once completely cooled, place the muffins (without the spread) in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature or gently warm them in the microwave.

Conclusion

These Cappuccino Muffins with Espresso Cream Cheese Spread are a true coffee lover’s delight. They perfectly capture the cozy essence of a coffee shop in a simple, homemade treat that is incredibly easy to make. The combination of the warm, tender, chocolate-flecked muffin with the cool, tangy espresso spread is a match made in heaven. This is a recipe that is sure to become a new favorite in your baking rotation.

We are so excited for you to bake a batch of these amazing coffee muffins. Give them a try and let us know what you think in the comments below! We love to hear from our community of bakers. Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe for more delicious and easy baking ideas.

FAQs

Q1. Can I use brewed coffee instead of instant coffee granules?

Instant coffee granules are recommended because they provide a concentrated coffee flavor without adding a lot of extra liquid, which can alter the muffin’s texture. If you must, you can try replacing about ¼ cup of the milk with an equal amount of very strong, cooled espresso.

Q2. Can I use regular-sized chocolate chips?

Yes, you can, but miniature chocolate chips are recommended because they distribute more evenly throughout the muffin batter and the cream cheese spread, ensuring you get a little bit of chocolate in every bite.

Q3. I don’t have a food processor. How can I make the espresso spread?

No problem! An electric hand mixer will work just as well. Make sure your cream cheese is very soft, and beat it with the sugar, coffee, and vanilla on medium speed until it’s completely smooth and fluffy before stirring in the chocolate chips by hand.