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These pumpkin cream cheese muffins are super moist and fluffy and feature a cheesecake filling! Made with easy ingredients, they take just 25 minutes to bake.
How do you elevate the humble pumpkin muffin? Stuff it with cream cheese and add a streusel topping!
The popular Starbucks pumpkin muffin inspired these pumpkin cheesecake muffins. After doing many taste tests and so much recipe testing, I’ve created an even better version that is deceptively easy to make and perfect for Fall… and so much cheaper too!
These muffins have the best texture– they are super moist and fluffy, and the cream cheese filling is creamy and smooth. Once you add the streusel topping over each one, it adds a subtle crunch that completes it.
Taste-wise, it’s full of warming pumpkin flavor, and the filling actually tastes like cheesecake!
Table of Contents
Why this recipe works
- Simple ingredients. Pumpkin, eggs, and some pantry staple ingredients are all you’ll need.
- Ready in under 25 minutes. From prep to plate, these take almost no time at all.
- Perfect for the holidays. These are the ultimate seasonal baked goods that are a must for the holiday season or when you want a little something between meals or after dinner.
What we love about this recipe is that everything is made with a couple of mixing bowls. No fancy gadgets or kitchen utensils are needed, and clean-up is a breeze.
Ingredients needed
This recipe calls for very simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand. Here is what you’ll need:
- All purpose flour. Simple and perfect for baking. I’ve also tried these muffins with wholewheat flour and it works well too. Just be wary that the muffins will be darker in color and a teensy bit more dense.
- Baking soda. Gives the muffins some rise and fluffiness.
- Salt. Just a pinch to balance out the sweet ingredients.
- Eggs. Room temperature.
- Pumpkin puree. Unsweetened pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Maple syrup. Adds sweetness to the muffins. You can also use honey or agave nectar.
- Vanilla extract. A must for any good muffin.
- Coconut oil OR butter. I prefer using coconut oil but melted butter also works. If you do go for the coconut option, opt for refined coconut oil, which has no coconut flavor.
- Sweet cream cheese filling. A combination of softened cream cheese and sugar. Do not use light or reduced-fat cream cheeses as they have added moisture, and the lack of fat will dry them out once completely baked.
- Streusel topping. Classic crumb ingredients like butter, brown sugar, flour, and a touch of cinnamon.
How to make pumpkin cream cheese muffins
Besides prepping the three parts of the muffin batter, there isn’t much hands-on time needed. Ready to get your bake on?
Step 1- Make the muffin batter. Start by whisking together the dry ingredients in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients. Combine the wet and dry ingredients until a smooth batter remains.
Step 2- Make the cheesecake filling. In a small bowl, stir together the cream cheese with sugar until combined.
Step 3- Make the streusel. Add the melted butter to a bowl, followed by the sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
Step 4- Assemble the muffins. Now, fill a 12-count muffin tin with muffin liners. Fill 2/3 of each muffin liner with the batter, followed by a spoonful of the cream cheese filling, more batter, then a sprinkle of streusel on top.
Step 5- Bake. Bake the muffins for 22-25 minutes or until a skewer comes out mostly clean. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips to make the best recipe
- Avoid overbaking the muffins, as they will continue to cook as they are cooling down.
- The streusel topping is completely optional, so feel free to omit if desired.
- If you’d like a sweeter muffin, you can use pumpkin pie filling instead.
- Use a small cookie scoop to portion out the muffin batter into the muffin pan.
- Add other spices like ground nutmeg, ground ginger, allspice, or pumpkin pie spice.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover muffins can be stored at room temperature in a sealed container for up to five days. If you’d like them to keep longer, store them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
To freeze: Place the cooled muffins in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
More delicious pumpkin recipes to try
Frequently asked questions
There are 197 calories in each muffin. These are the better options than the Starbucks ones, which have over 450 calories each.
If you find your muffins are gummy, it is due to there not being enough batter covering the cream cheese filling. For the muffins to be super moist and fluffy, there needs to be ample muffin batter throughout.
When made with gluten-free flour, these muffins are suitable for those who are celiac.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup coconut oil or butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the cheesecake filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
For the streusel topping
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line a 12-count muffin tin with muffin liners.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients and mix until combined. Gently fold through dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until combined.
- In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese and sugar. In another bowl, combine the melted butter, sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
- Fill each muffin liner with 2/3 of the muffin batter. Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture into the center. Fill with the remaining 1/3 of muffin butter on top. Sprinkle the streusel topping on each one.
- Bake the muffins for 22-25 minutes, or until a skewer comes out mostly clean.
- Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the muffin tin completely.
These are Incredibly Good! They just made my permanent Holiday menu…
Yummmm! It’s my new fall favorite!
Do u have the macros for these, they look to die for!! 😋
So fluffy and delicious! I only did the recipe with half of the ingredients because 13-15 muffins sounded like a lot for us and I ended up with 6 regular-size muffins, just perfect. I only had rolled oats available, so I threw 3/4 cup into to my food processor (they did not lower in volume after processing) and yes, just in case someone’s wondering, I did use half an egg (I cracked it and weighted it, it was exactly 60 grams, whipped it, measured 30 grams for this recipe and saved the other 30 to add to my breakfast tomorrow). Oh, I also enjoyed that the recipe is sweet, but not overtly sweet like a lot of desserts tend to be.
May I ask how many calories are in each muffin?
Hi Seaira! For sure- Check out myfitnesspal for a full breakdown 🙂
So I was a little concerned when you put coconut sugar in this recipe because it has the same amount of carbs as regular sugar and 0% greek yogurt is also full of sugar in fact most yogurt is full of sugar but the less fat the more sugar they add to make up for taste. I think I would use sour cream and stevia in place of the previous contents and make it even healthier, at least a full fat yogurt really is not the diary fats that a problem it’s your carbs and sugars that your enemy.
What can I use in place of the nut butter? All I keep in the house is peanut butter which is WAY to strong a taste for this, I don’t want to buy other nut/seed spreads, its expensive and I dont have time right now. Can I use more pumpkin instead?????
Hi Brittany! I totally hear you on the peanut butter! I haven’t tried it with more pumpkin, but let me know how it goes if you try it with that!
These are excellent. Loved them. I made 12 and they came out perfectly after 18 minutes.
Hi Stacey! I’m so glad you enjoyed them- Appreciate the feedback!
Do you have any advice for using Buckwheat Flour instead? (ie. less flour, or more milk). Buckwheat tends to dry out alot and is really dense. Just wondering if you had a patch solution for using it.
I’m so sorry but i’m not familiar with baking with buckwheat.
This looks I am trying to find stuff that is gluten and dairy free any ideas how to turn this one and without loosing
flavor?
Hi Rose! You can sub the flours for GF flours and I used dairy free cream cheese and dairy free milk 🙂
First off, even though you don’t have Thanksgiving…pumpkin is celebrated in America the second fall hits ? but second, oh my gosh thank you for this Recipe! As a gluten free and clean eater, I can’t wait To try this out!
Thanks so much, Braiden!
Whenever I find something that really looks good on Pinterest- it often brings me to your blog. Your recipe is similar to my peanut butter and jelly muffin too.. Love your idea to switch it to pumpkin and cream cheese. Love it! Pinning them for now, will make them in the fall when I can make my own pumpkin puree.
That’s so kind of you- Thank you!
Arman,
I’ve still got a wee little pumpkin in the Strategic Winter Squash Reserve. Now I’m getting a hankering for muffins. Again!
I should curse you for giving me the pumpkin hankering, but these look too good.
Thanks Kirsten! I actually have to chuck a pie (squash pie) at Meg- Her squash muffins made me want to hack one to death (the pumpkin)
I do not see how cream cheese blowing up is a problem… at all… Mmm…
I have not ever tried one of those Starbucks sandwiches, so I’ll have to take your word for it. If you are ever in the West Coast part of the states, I can MAKE you a proper sandwich! or be a tour guide and show you some dang fine sandwich shops!
…still cannot figure out how overstuffed cream cheese is wrong.
Kristina, I am holding you to that, if should you decline on I arrive, I will spray your sriracha in your contact lenses solution, like the twat I am and did to myself today.
Touch sriracha. Touch eyes = pain.
Oh dear lord, you had me laughing through this whole post. Ok, pumpkin pie is one of the best things about Thanksgiving. Now I have been a S’bucks consumer for years and have NEVER seen this sandwich you describe. But then again I live in a town where 75% of the population view coffee as a sin, so we have a small S’bucks. If you ever find yourself in the States during Turkey day, pop on over, I’ll feed you a feast.
BEST things? Michelle pumpkin pie was edible punishment (but that’s because in Australia it’s never eaten sweet!).
You know I’m holding you to that. I’ll bring a koala.
I never thought of filling a muffin with cheesecake filling – genius!
Thanks Stephanie! A nice surprise 😉
These look so good! I am a fan of pumpkin pie, but these look even more fabulous!
Thank you for your kind words, Julie!
You nailed it! Great job…
And I’m more than happy to reap the benefits of round 5 🙂
#Recipeoftheweek
Please come over for some! 🙂
These look great! Well done for persevering! #recipeoftheweek
Thanks so much, Hayley!
I am just drooling here over that cream cheese filling. It’s crazy how delicious these muffins are but how healthy they are too!
I know, right! FIVE bloody attempts to get it correct!
These look positively yummy! I think all your experimenting yielded tasty results!
Thank you so much, Amy! 🙂
I’m sending over some T-day treats for ya! 😉
Also, I am on board with pumpkin anything & everything…except pumpkin pie. Blech.
Mermaid- If I get a working visa in the USA next year, i’m inviting myself over 🙂
You’re welcome here anytime!
I can totally get down with recipes if they contain cream cheese. Keep posting cream cheese-filled goodies, haha! Also, I saw that sammie at Starbs the other day and I’m totally making it with my turkey day leftovers.
OMG. Please do then invite me over next year for dinner. I’ll bring….nutella for the bub 😉
Urgh I wish the UK celebrated Thanksgiving (well a UK version of it, obv we didn’t have the pilgrim, Indian story and all that jazz!) – it just seems so amazing to get together with friends and family and celebrate what you are thankful for, especially that big huge Turkey filled tasty meal…
We can just watch from ‘the worlds window’ and look longingly inside and their joy! Haha!
I think I’ll eat a Turkey sandwich in their honour!
See that right there is the reason I don’t usually stuff things in my muffins I have a fear of things exploding all over the oven and then never being able to get it properly clean.
So thanks for taking one for the team and perfecting these because they look delicious! If you want to bring some with you are more than welcome to come join our Thanksgiving table 🙂
YES- please do! I’m emailing you back right now!
I’m jealous seeing everyone get ready for Thanksgiving too! I mean, we already had Canadian Thanksgiving, but it seems like it was so long ago… I wish we could have another one this month!
I can’t understand how you don’t like pumpkin pie… but I CAN understand why you love these. They look amazing! 🙂
I associate you with kale and pumpkin pie- ironically, two of my least favoured things. I wonder what that says….
These look awesome! I already have all the ingredients =) including a pumpkin flavored cream cheese which would be awesome in the center 🙂 🙂
I hope you try them out and they DON’T burst! I never knew they had pumpkin cream cheese!
Thanksgiving is probably my least favorite holiday. Too much meat, weird jello molds, and bastardized veggies, It ain’t my thing so no FOMO here.
Rock out with your muffins out, or at least the exploding cream cheese filling.
we need to swap places then. I will have you on speed dial this Thursday!
If it makes you feel any better, even though we celebrate Thanksgiving up here in Canadaland, it doesn’t really seem to be as big of a deal as it is in the States… it’s just kind of over before anyone really realizes it’s happening. Heck, we didn’t even bother cooking turkey for our last one because no one was really in the mood 😆 Muffins I’m always in the mood for, though… just don’t ever use muffins and cauliflower in the same sentence…
Haha, did you guys eat a bananas?
You should make cauliflower muffins!
Oh you know what is UP, Arman. I’m talking about these muffins, not the Starbucks sandwich.
Pumpkin pie is alriiiighhhttt, but it does not compare to the glory that is apple pie. But in reality, it’s the stuffing that has my heart/belly on Thanksgiving.
How about pecan pie? Or that chocolate chip cookie you snap’d me!
Pumpkin Pie is what I am looking forward to most! I guess that answers your 2nd question. 🙂
Oh no! Well, you can enjoy a second slice for…me 😉
OMG i can’t tell if i’m really happy or really sad that i JUST pulled another loaf of your carrot cake bread from my oven.. because i still want it but now i want these. although since i don’t make decisions i guess i need both. looks like next weekend we know what is going to be happening =l as if pumpkin and nut butter couldn’t convince me to make ANYTHINGGG!
p.s. those apple pie gluten free and vegan bars. please crush one up and make me a sundae now 🙂 still deciding what to make for thanksgiving dessert and ironically pumpkin pie isn’t on the list!
DUDE. My recipe today is in your honour!!! (again lol!).
James is not a pumpkin pie fan either. In fact, he’s making pavlova. Oh bh i foresee Pavlova cheesecake muffins next! Yes?
OH. Dude. Pavlova oatmeal.
Ask James if he likes Turkish Delight. There is delicious (GF!) protein bar here which tastes EXACTLY like Turkish delight!
um, he’s obsessed with turkish delight! which bar is it?? i must find!
Looks like you have really perfected this recipe after your trial and error attempts, persevering definitely paid off. I wish we celebrated Thanksgiving in the UK too, such a lovely celebration.
We can celebrate virtually!
Haha way to persevere! These look awesome! Also, I am a fellow pumpkin pie hater. But I can totally get on board with these. Also, you should TOTALLY have T day in Australia.
Thanks so much, Erica. I am abit over these, thanks to all the failed attempts lol! I will eat a turkey sub from Subway in it’s honour!
Well I’m not really celebrating Thanksgiving this year (womp womp) but will sure make up for it on Christmas. These look so good and love the minimal amount of sugar. I think I’ve eaten pumpkin pie for breakfast on more than one occasion. No shame.
….. you should be ashamed! Please give davici a big slap on the wrist from me!
HEY, what’s wrong with getting a quality sandwich from Starbucks!?! HAHAAA. No really though, I’ve heard that panini is legit the best shit ever. My mom about cried she thought it was so good when I brought one home for her. I am sad you don’t get to celebrate Thanksgiving down under, but you should still do it anyway. Either way I will eat 2x the amount of food in your honor.
Sunshine, I had the ham panini but the bread was stale! (It was LAX though so it’s probably acceptable).
Please do…even eat turkey.
I would tell you how awesome these look, but I’m still bitter that you didn’t come to ATL. Ass.
Excuse me, but seeing as I flew all the way there- all you peeps can come to ME 😉
Also, I’m trying to move there- If I find an employer in ATL that will hire an overseas lad, we can be neighbours 😉
Woo hooooooo!
Sam hasn’t made any of the recipes I’ve telepathically told her I wanted to make. Can you tell her I want this one too?
Thanksgiving is long gone for me, Christmas is the only thing on my radar now! Hey are you free to Skype/FT tmrw night?
Sam is so mean. How dare she!
ARGH. Why did I just read this? Can we seriously do it STAT.
Holy Batman these look terrific! You had me at pumpkin. I do love pumpkin pie, sans crust. Not a fan of pie crust but the filling, oh so yum.
I shall not laugh at your Starbucks sandwich crush. A couple of years ago i was flying out of LAX and needed to grab dinner to take on the flight. The only options were Burger King, cheap pseudo-Mexican, or Starbucks. I purchased a sandwich from Starbucks. It was really simple, turkey and cheese, but I must say (type) it was really tasty.
By the way, I have had one of your microwavable english muffins as part of my breakfast everyday for over a week now. CAN. NOT. GET. ENOUGH. 🙂
I’m so glad to hear that- I hope you keep enjoying them! I had a couple from LAX but the bread was dry!
I’m impressed with your perseverance!! I would have given up after the fist failed attempt!!
Haha, I just wanted to be in on the Thanksgiving action!
i tried to make a recipe like this 3 years ago and they didn’t turn out NEARLY this well. YUM!
Haha, Linds…they kept bursting!
So even though Canada has Thanksgiving, it’s nowhere near as big of a deal as it is in the States. It was over a month ago too, so I’ll be joining you in jealousy next Thursday :-p And YES I love pumpkin pie! I can’t say it’s my favourite (that goes to lemon meringue) but it’s definitely up there.
Can we please have a virtual thanksgiving? you, me and jo eating turkey via skype.
Lemon Meringue CHEESECAKE Quest bar pie. That should be recreated.
Laughing at your Starbucks sandwich ;). I’ll admit their sandwiches are pretty tasty, especially when heated up, but the BEST sandwich? Boy, you cray.
And props to you for perfecting the recipe. Usually if I can’t get it right the first three times, I give up and decided that it’s just not in the stars for me. Also, with ya on the pumpkin pie. NOPE. I just don’t get it. Why would you even consider eating pumpkin pie when you have APPLE PIE available. It doesn’t make any sense to me. Like seriously, WTF.
Delicious looking recipe!
I know, I know…but I had nothing to compare it too!
Apple pie? Hell, PECAN PIE!!!!
These look pretty bombdotcom. As you eat these, you should have zero FOMO on anything I’m about to ingest into my body, such as turkey and mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes and green beans and pecan pie and stuffing and ALL THE FOODS. That was mean huh? I see a Starbucks recipe redo in the near future on your blog!
…..I hope you fail Fran fay in and day out.
Ironically, I’m doing a new thing on the blog soon- Copycat Recipe Fridays lol! I should do a copycat starbucks coffee..hot water + instant coffee.
Guilty of enjoying Starbucks Sandwiches, too. No actually not guilty 😉
Onto those Muffins. Really? Do you have to do this to me? I want them. I want them badly! NOW!!!!!
Make them!! (I’m making granola again now..although gingerbread!).
Ohmigosh these look so yummy. You should make your own Thanksgiving feast anyway and just celebrate with us virtually. I get really excited about sweet potatoes topped with marshmallow on Thanksgiving. Probably cause I only get it once a year. It’s so good!!!
I think I will do that….deli turkey, roasted pumpkin and a big bloody potato.
….that sweet potato sounds like punishment.
Haha I’m with you on so many levels, Arman! I feel ridic when I say that one of my favourite cookies ever is from Starbucks (LOVE their oatmeal raisin cookies)! And also FOMO about the lack of Thanksgiving? ME TOO! India needs to get on board with it asap…and even if that’s not the case, at least they gotta make turkey & the other Thanksgiving goods freely available for those of us who would like to partake!
We should have a virtual Thanksgiving dinner lol!
I’m actually not a huge fan of Thanksgiving food! (I know…I’m a horribly unpatriotic American). I always want to try new recipes and my family definitely likes to go the more traditional route. I’m in charge of mashed potatoes this year, though, and I’m totally sneaking in roasted garlic and goat cheese…
Oh please do- that sounds divine!
I work next door to a Starbucks and I must say that a lot of their sandwiches are really good. I’ve had a lot of good ones from there.
These look really tasty Arman. Your recipes always make me hungry in the morning!
Thanks, Hollie! Their turkey and Swiss is pretty epic too…except the ones from LAX!
Oh YUM! These look amazing. I love the fairly simple list of ingredients and they don’t seem too difficult to make
Thanks Danielle! As long as they don’t burst- you’ll be alright 😉
I’m pretty sure these will blow up on me too not worth a try. Wonder if I can sub the cream cheese for coconut butter?
Ohhh that sounds delicious- although I think it may melt and seep through! Maybe coconut cream?
We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here in Germany. Well, why should we anyway, it’s not our history/tradition. I’d love to join the festivities once though. It sounds like THE holiday! All that food…mmmmh. But our Christmas is awesome as well (think roast goose!!)
I liked the pumpkin pie that I tried in Las Vegas, it was good. Don’t know why everyone makes such a fuss about it though.
I really love that cream cheese center of these muffins!
You guys have the BEST Christmas markets ever- the mulled wine and the curywurst…omg.
I love pumpkin pie! Once fall comes around here I’m straight into pumpkin craze. These muffins look gorgeous, I’m glad they’re no longer spouting cream cheese haha. Also, don’t know if you saw, but I tagged you in a question and answer on my blog today! Check it out if you have time 🙂
Haha, Gen it was the worst- but on the good side, I ate alot of cream cheese.
I did see- thanks for that- I loved reading how you’ve lived in such unique locations although…why not Australia 😉
You should definitely celebrate yourself over in Australia. Start a new trend or something 🙂 And a sandwich from Starbucks? I am always afraid to try their food items except for the breads….I guess need to get on board
I will! Last year I ate deli turkey and chocolate covered pretzels lol! DON’T try the bread from an airport- their panini was so dry!
I’m not gonna lie, pumpkin pie is one of my all time favorite desserts, especially when it’s infused with a ton of spices. I’ve made a similar muffin before, and it definitely took me a few tries to get it right! It’s that stubborn cream cheese filling!
It is- stupid cream cheese. Just bursting like a cow.
I don’t even think you have to ask me that question, do you? lol! Aside from pumpkin pie, I love stuffing. Oh, and Pillsbury crescent rolls…oh who am I kidding…I love it all on that day, which is why I’m running a 5k that morning. lol!
Ohh stuffing….who needs turkey?
Hope you enjoy that pie- have an extra slice for me! (Please do.).
The words healthy and cheesecake should always go together. Really creative that you have put them in a muffin too. Genius!
Thanks, Dannii! I’m trying hard to make a healthy cheesecake but…it just keeps failing!
I have so many comments here. First, sandwich from Starbucks? Really? But it sounds like it was really good…I’m just surprised at that one. As far as pumpkin pie, I think you should make a savory version. I mean quiche is eaten in a pie crust, and it’s savory. Do it. And top it with crumbled bacon…because bacon makes everything better! But now to these muffins. I need these in my life. I apparently haven’t fully lived yet because I’ve never had one of these. They sound incredible. Mail me one?
I know, I know. I hang my head in shame.
Just kidding, it was delicious (I had nothing to compare it to!). YES- mate, I have a pumpkin quiche recipe but it falls apart. I will redo. And I will personally deliver them, save me a seat at Thanksgiving dinner.
I am not the biggest fan of cheesecakes, so I thank you for this twinkie-like version (and I say that completely honestly). I think that the starbucks panini sounds delicious, and that is saying something, considering that I’ve been sick all this week and 95% of foods have been about as appetizing as a lobotomy, which coming from me is saying something. But it has all my favorite things, so I intend to get one for myself (hopefully) soon!
LOL- It does remind me of a twinkie too! I love twinkies!
you have the best recipes! this looks to die for!!!
Speak for yourself haha! you rock those…well, everything!
I think my favorite part of this post is how you know the exact years you tried pumpkin pie.
I know. It’s riveting lol!
Haha, I see that sandwich in the cold display case everyday while I’m waiting in line for my coffee…I’ve never seen anyone get it though…or any sandwich for that matter, haha!
P.S. I’ve always wanted to try and bake a “stuffed” muffin or cupcake! Ah! Need to get on that!
Do try it out- I was so scared but luckily (after 4 attempts) I succeeded!
I love pumpkin stuff including pumpkin pie! Pumpkin bread with cream cheese is a fave so these are totally calling me. Have you been to the States for Thanksgiving? I can totally see you losing your mind.
YES! I was there in 2012 for it when I studied in Oswego and was shocked when my sweet potatoes came with marshmallows and brown sugar on it!
I think you should go for it and invite a table full of friends and have an Aussie Thanksgiving of your own. I literally lol’ed about the failed attempts. I have been there, and it is great to commiserate with you.
I actually suggested that, Katie! Then my friend said he’d come over with deli turkey sandwiches from Subway…Happy Thanksgiving indeed.