Copycat Starbucks Chocolate Cream Cheese Muffin

This Copycat Starbucks Chocolate Cream Cheese Muffin recipe is chocolatey, moist, and filled with a luscious cream cheese center. 

looking at a starbucks chocolate cream cheese muffin that has been cut in half.
Copycat Starbucks Chocolate Cream Cheese Muffin Recipe.

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six chocolate muffins on parchment paper on top of a cutting board.
Starbucks Copycat Chocolate Cream Cheese Muffins.

They’re easy to make at home with simple ingredients, resulting in a decadent treat that pairs perfectly with your morning coffee. Whether you’re baking for a cozy breakfast, a special brunch, or just because, these muffins are sure to impress!

For the full recipe, scroll down to the bottom of the post for the recipe card.  Happy baking!

The Players for Starbucks Chocolate Cream Cheese Muffin Recipe

ingredients for starbucks chocolate cream cheese muffin recipe.
Ingredients for Starbucks Chocolate Cream Cheese Muffins.

Ingredients:

  • Flour – Plain all purpose flour is what you’ll need to make these 
  • Sugar – White granulated sugar is used in both the muffin batter and the cheesecake filling.
  • Cocoa – Unsweetened cocoa powder adds a rich, deep chocolate flavor to this great recipe. Be sure to sift your cocoa powder before using!
  • Baking Soda – Using baking soda will give these muffins a light, fluffy texture.
  • Salt – Just a pinch of salt brings all the flavors together.
  • Coconut Oil – Using melted coconut oil, avocado oil, or extra virgin olive oil will give the muffins a moist texture. You can also use melted butter if you prefer!
  • Water – I use filtered water to make this sweet snack! 
  • Vinegar – By using plain white vinegar, you help activate the baking soda, resulting in a lighter, fluffier texture while also enhancing the moisture of the muffins. Don’t worry, you won’t taste the vinegar at all!
  • Vanilla – Pure vanilla extract is used in this delicious Starbucks Chocolate Cream Cheese Muffin recipe.
  • Cream Cheese – You’ll need one block (or 8-ounces) of softened cream cheese to make the cream cheese center.
  • Egg – One room temperature egg is needed to make the chocolate cream cheese cupcakes.
  • Cornstarch – Adding cornstarch to the cream cheese filling helps to stabilize it and prevents it from becoming too runny when baking.

Tools:

  • Muffin Tins –  You’ll need a 12-cup muffin tin to bake the Chocolate Cream Cheese Muffins. I also use this muffin pan to make the best pumpkin muffins!
  • Cupcake Liners – To line your muffin tin, you’ll need cupcake paper liners.  You can even make your own muffin liners using parchment paper that are cut into squares.
close up of chocolate muffins on a wire rack on top of a wooden cutting board.
Copycat Starbucks Chocolate Cream Cheese Muffin recipe.

How to make Starbucks Chocolate Cream Cheese Muffin Recipe

Preheat oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners and set aside.

Make the Chocolate Muffin Batter

In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients of flour, sugar, sifted cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

To the same bowl, whisk in the coconut oil (or melted butter), water, vinegar, and vanilla extract. The batter will be thin.

Make the Sweet Cream Cheese Filling

In a medium bowl using a hand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg, and cornstarch until smooth. Set aside.

Assemble the Chocolate Cream Cheese Muffins

a muffin pan with liners next to the muffin batter and cream cheese filling bowl.
Time to assemble the chocolate cream cheese muffins!

Fill each muffin cup about halfway with the chocolate batter.

chocolate muffin batter added halfway to the cupcake liners.
Carefully pour in some muffin batter halfway.

Add 1-2 heaping tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture to the center of each muffin.

a heaping tablespoon of cream cheese mixture about to be added to the centers of the muffins.
Dollop large tablespoons of cream cheese filling to the centers.

Add more chocolate batter over the top of the cream cheese mixture, filling to the top of the muffin pan.

overhead view of chocolate cream cheese muffins ready for the oven.
Top with more chocolate muffin batter.

Bake the Starbucks Muffins

Place the muffins into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 15 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely before eating. Enjoy!

close up of a starbucks chocolate cream cheese muffin on a wire rack.
Easy Chocolate Cream Cheese Muffins.

Storage Instructions

Place your cooled chocolate cream cheese muffins into an airtight container or cover them with plastic wrap.  Keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.   Let them come to room temperature or warm slightly before serving.

close up of a halved chocolate cream cheese muffin on a cupcake liner.
Copycat Starbucks Chocolate Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe.

Pin it for Later!

If you end up making these Copycat Starbucks Chocolate Cream Cheese Muffins, leave me a comment. I’d love to chat with you!

copycat starbucks chocolate cream cheese muffin image made for Pinterest.
Pin this picture to save for later!

Looking for other sweet treats? Check out my other favorite desserts next!

copycat starbucks chocolate cream cheese muffin on a wire rack.

Copycat Starbucks Chocolate Cream Cheese Muffin Recipe

These Copycat Starbucks Chocolate Cream Cheese Muffins are rich, moist, and filled with a creamy center. Perfect with coffee, they’re an easy homemade treat that tastes just like the real thing!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 14 muffins

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Muffins

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 1/3 cup white sugar
  • 2/3 cup cocoa powder, sifted
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cups coconut oil* or avocado oil, extra virgin olive oil, or melted butter
  • 1 1/4 cups water
  • 1 1/2 tbsp white vinegar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 8 ounce cream cheese, softened (1 block)
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 egg, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners and set aside.

Make the Chocolate Muffin Batter

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients of flour, sugar, sifted cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. 
  • To the same bowl, whisk in the oil (or melted butter), water, vinegar, and vanilla extract.

Make the Cream Cheese Filling

  • In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg, and cornstarch until smooth. Set aside.

Assemble the Muffins

  • Fill each muffin cup about halfway with the chocolate batter.
  • Add 1-2 heaping tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture to the center of each muffin.
  • Add more chocolate batter over the top of the cream cheese mixture, filling to the top of the muffin pan.

Bake the Chocolate Cream Cheese Muffins

  • Place the muffins into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 15 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely before eating.

Notes

*I have used coconut oil, avocado oil, and melted butter in this recipe.  My favorite is to use coconut or avocado oil to have the most moist muffin!
Storage Instructions:
Place your cooled chocolate cream cheese muffins into an airtight container or cover them with plastic wrap.  Keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.   Let them come to room temperature or warm slightly before serving.
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