Step 1: Preheat the oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners, or lightly grease the muffin cups if you prefer not to use liners.

Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. This will ensure that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 3: Combine the wet ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk together until the mixture is smooth and well combined. The melted butter will add richness, while the eggs help bind the batter.

Step 4: Mix the batter

Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until the batter is just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter—overmixing can result in tough muffins. It’s okay if there are a few small lumps in the batter.

Step 5: Prepare the cream cheese filling

In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar using a hand mixer or a whisk. Mix until the cream cheese is smooth and creamy, with no lumps of powdered sugar. This sweet cream cheese filling will create the gooey center of each muffin.

Step 6: Fill the muffin cups

Fill each muffin liner halfway with the prepared batter. Then, place a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture in the center of each muffin. Use the remaining batter to cover the cream cheese filling, making sure the filling is enclosed by the batter. The muffins will bake around the cream cheese center, creating a gooey surprise inside.

Step 7: Add the cinnamon sugar topping

Sprinkle the tops of the muffins with the cinnamon sugar mixture. This topping will add a deliciously sweet and crunchy layer to each muffin, enhancing the overall cinnamon flavor.

Step 8: Bake the muffins

Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the muffin (but not into the cream cheese center) comes out clean. This ensures that the muffins are fully baked while keeping the cream cheese filling soft and gooey.

Step 9: Cool the muffins

Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling on a rack will prevent the muffins from becoming soggy at the bottom.

Step 10: Drizzle with white chocolate (optional)

If you want to add an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle the cooled muffins with melted white chocolate. To do this, melt the white chocolate in the microwave or over a double boiler, then use a spoon to drizzle it over the tops of the muffins. Let the chocolate set before serving.