These carrot pumpkin cheesecake muffins are moist, flavorful muffins filled with flavors of the fall and a few simple ingredients.
When I first made these carrot pumpkin cheesecake muffins I thought, “these are going to be perfect for our road trip to Virginia!” The boys, Ted, and I will be traveling to Virginia for Thanksgiving and instead of flying we’ll be driving.
Which means I’ll need some healthy road trip snacks. Which means I felt all fuzzy inside knowing the boys would be satisfied snacking on these healthy muffins [read the ingredients list; there’s fruit AND veggies in them!].
Can I just tell you I did a total 180 on my original thought when Joey and Anthony gave these a taste? Well, muffins, like most baked goods, turn crumbly when little hands smash, poke, and pinch them.
When I saw the damage that took place on my dining room table and floor after they finished eating their muffins, I realized these carrot pumpkin cheesecake muffins are better kept at home. NOT in a car. We’d be cleaning crumbs in car seats for years!
But in all seriousness, the boys loved these carrot pumpkin cheesecake muffins. And I love making them because there are a few simple ingredient swaps that make these muffins so easy to prepare!
So if you need a recipe for a bake sale, classroom party, or office potluck [all which are common this time of year], consider bringing a healthier muffin that is filled with all the flavors of the season. Just be sure to bring napkins or bibs because I’m serious about the damage the little crumbs can make.
And for all you breakfast loving folks out there I forgot to mention that this makes a perfect, portable breakfast! My Mom would make a similar muffin around the holidays when we would have company in town and they made the perfect no-fuss breakfast or snack. Your tummies will thank me!
- 1 package [8 ounces] cream cheese, softened
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 package [14 ounces] pumpkin quick bread
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- ¾ cup fat-free milk
- ½ cup raisins
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- Heat oven to 350. Spray a 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a medium-sized bowl, beat cream cheese, 1 egg, sugar, and lemon juice until smooth.
- Set aside ½ cup of muffin mix for topping. Place the rest in a large bowl. Add remaining egg, carrots, milk, raisins, and oil. Stir until well blended.
- Fill each muffin cup with ¼ cup of batter. Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon of cream cheese mixture over top of each muffin.
- In a small bowl, combine reserved muffin mix, pecans, and butter. Mix with fork until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over cream cheese in each muffin cup.
- Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool muffins in pan for 15 minutes. Lift out of pan and cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to one week.
The flavors of fall come together to make these carrot pumpkin cheesecake muffins Share on X
Disclaimer: I am proud to partner with the United Dairy Industry of Michigan to bring you healthy recipes made with cow’s milk. Because of these great partnerships I am able to share delicious and nutritious family-friendly recipes. As always all opinion and ideas are 100% my own. Find out why Milk Means More on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Micaela Preston says
These sound SO delicious! I’m always on the lookout for healthier muffins and snacks that my kids will actually like.
Katie says
Mine gobbled them down. A little drizzle of honey or yogurt helped too
Lauren says
these look awesome!
Katie says
Thanks Lauren!!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Oooh these sound delicious! Love the carrot/pumpkin combo and totally understand why your boys loved them!
Katie says
Shredded carrot is so easy to add in baked goods!
Joanna says
These look absolutely delicious! I love pumpkin and cream cheese together.
Katie says
Me too!!!
Katie says
Such a great combo!
Katie {moms kitchen handbook} says
My kind of muffin.!
Katie says
Mine too Katie!!
Lauren Kelly Nutrition says
These muffins look incredible! My boys would also love these!
Katie says
I hope they do!! And the crumb mess really isn’t that bad lol
Elizabeth @ Enjoy Every Bite says
I don’t think I can resist anything with both pumpkin and cream cheese in them…. Love the healthy substitutions too 😉
Katie says
The boys didn’t even notice!!
rachel@ athletic avocado says
these look so delicious! The more beta carotene the better! Pinned 🙂
Katie says
Thanks girl!! And yes. Give it up for beta carotene!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says
These look so good. In the directions, when you say to set aside 1/2 cup of muffin mix, do you mean the pumpkin quick bread?
Katie says
Yes! Sorry about that. Wasn’t double checking when I wrote the recipe.
Katie Chiavarone says
I could eat these for breakfast, lunch and dinner! They look so yummy!
Katie says
Funny I was thinking the same thing!
Kimberly Cox says
Oh WOW, these look AMAZING!!! I think I might have to try the recipe soon. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Katie says
Thank you Kim!
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
This is my kind of dessert! I love carrot cake, pumpkin and cheesecake! Put them all together and I’m in heaven!
Katie says
Amen sister!!! A winning combo.
Sarah @ The Chef Next Door says
These look fabulous, Katie! I LOVE carrot cake, so I know I would adore these muffins, too. And so would my boys!
Katie says
Yay!!! I hope you guys enjoy them. They are really the only muffin I enjoy baking. Not much dry measuring lol.
Cindy C says
I def want to make these! OMG, yum!
Katie says
Double yum!!
Stefanie / The Monarch Mommy says
These look so yummy! I’m going to save this recipe!
Katie says
Awesome!! I hope you enjoy!