Description
These Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins with Cream Cheese Filling are a delightful twist on classic cornbread. Packed with cheddar cheese and finely diced jalapeños for a mild heat, each muffin is stuffed with a smooth honey-sweetened cream cheese center. Perfect as a spicy-sweet breakfast treat or a savory side for chili and BBQ, these moist and flavorful muffins are sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
Add-ins and Filling
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1–2 fresh jalapeños, finely diced (seeds removed for less heat)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for filling)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Muffin Tin: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a muffin tin by lining it with paper liners or greasing it well to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar until evenly combined for a uniform base.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently just until combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the muffins.
- Add Cheese and Jalapeños: Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese and finely diced jalapeños, distributing them evenly throughout the batter for bursts of flavor and spice.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, blend the softened cream cheese with honey if desired, until smooth and creamy for a sweet and tangy filling.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of batter into each muffin cup, then add 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture in the center. Top with additional batter to fully cover the filling.
- Bake: Bake the muffins for 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the edge of a muffin (avoiding the cream cheese center); it should come out clean.
- Cool: Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely or serve warm.
Notes
- For an extra spicy kick, keep the jalapeño seeds or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the batter.
- These muffins are excellent served alongside chili or BBQ dishes.
- They also make a delicious spicy-sweet breakfast or snack option.
