Pineapple and Carrot Surprise Muffins

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour all-purpose
• 0.8 cup brown sugar packed
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 
• 0.5 cup butter melted
• 1 teaspoon double-acting baking powder 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda 
• 0.5 teaspoon salt 
• 2  eggs beaten
• 1 cup carrots shredded ()
• 8 oz pineapple rings crushed undrained canned
• 3 oz cream cheese softened
• 0.3 cup granulated sugar 
• 0.5 teaspoon vanilla 

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• oven
• wire rack
• hand mixer
• muffin liners

Directions

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Line 12 regular-size muffin cups with paper baking cups (or spray cups with cooking spray or grease with shortening). In large bowl, stir flour, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice and melted butter with spoon until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Reserve 1/2 cup mixture for topping.
2. Stir baking powder, baking soda, salt, eggs, carrots and pineapple into remaining crumb mixture just until moistened; set aside.
3. In small bowl, beat cream cheese, granulated sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.
4. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter. Make indentation in top of each muffin, using back of spoon. Drop about 1 teaspoon cream cheese mixture into each indentation.
5. Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over batter and filling.
6. Bake 20 to 30 minutes or until golden brown and edges spring back when touched lightly. Cool muffins in pan 5 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack.
7. Serve warm or cooled. Store covered in refrigerator.