Source  Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Recipe Added:  11/5/2011

Cream Cheese Filling  Combine cream cheese and powdered sugar and whip until smooth. Add vanilla, stir to combine. Form into a skinny log on plastic wrap, making sure diameter will fit into a muffin pan. Wrap tightly, freeze until slightly hardened, 1-2 hours.

Streusel Topping  Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Mix together with a pastry blender or two forks until crumbly.

Muffins  Combine flour, spices, salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl. Mix well and set aside. In another bowl combine eggs, vegetable oil, sugar and pumpkin puree. Mix until well combined. Add in the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

Preheat oven to 350°. Line or spray two muffin pans. Scoop a small amount of batter into muffin cups. Place 1 slice of cream cheese log in center of each cup, then fill with remaining batter. Sprinkle Streusel Topping over top. Press lightly to make sure it adheres to batter. Bake 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs. Cool then serve. Makes 24.

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice: 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/8 tsp nutmeg, 1/8 tsp cloves. Mix; equals 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.

1. http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2009/11/pumpkin-cream-cheese-muffins.html

2. http://www.browneyedbaker.com/pumpkin-cream-cheese-muffins-pecan-streusel/