pumpkin bread with cream cheese
When the air gets chilly and leaves fall, nothing feels more like fall than the smell of fresh pumpkin bread with cream cheese. This cozy recipe delivers tender, spiced pumpkin bread with a luscious cream cheese swirl or frosting, perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert.
Equipment
- 9x5-inch loaf pan
- Mixing Bowls
- Mixer or whisk
Ingredients
Pumpkin Bread
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Swirl or Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract; mix until light and fluffy.
- Pour half the pumpkin batter into the loaf pan. Spoon dollops of the cream cheese mixture on top. Pour the remaining batter over, then gently swirl with a knife for a marbled effect.
- Bake for 55-65 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the bread in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Send me this recipe!
Just enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox!
Notes
Use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, for best results. Keep ingredients at room temperature. Avoid overmixing to maintain tender texture. Store leftovers wrapped tightly to retain moisture.