Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread

This Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread is soft, moist, and loaded with pumpkin spice flavor. Whether it’s paired with a hot cup of coffee for breakfast or a cold glass of milk for dessert, this treat is sure to hit the spot this Fall.

Looking for more pumpkin-inspired breakfast recipes? Try my Pumpkin Pancakes and Pumpkin Oat Bars!

It’s officially Fall, and you know what that means … Pumpkin season! More specifically, pumpkin spice season.

If you’re like me (and most people), you look forward to sweater weather all year long because it means you can indulge in some of the best flavors autumn has to offer, especially pumpkin. Whether you’re drinking it in a latte, eating it in a pie, or carving one for your front porch, there’s just something magical about this time of the year.

Pumpkin bread is one of my favorite things about Fall. I took it up a notch with this recipe and added a cream cheese swirl, which — paired with the pumpkin puree — resulted in the loaf coming out moist and slightly sweet with the perfect amount of spice.

This Easy Pumpkin Bread is perfect for breakfast or dessert. Enjoy!

Make these into Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins!

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread Ingredients

• Pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling): The later will have pumpkin spice flavors added to it, which isn’t ideal because we wouldn’t be able to control the spice level of the bread this way. Our favorite is Libbys!
• Sour cream: Gives the pumpkin batter extra moisture and softness. You can substitute plain full fat greek yogurt in place of the sour cream.
• Light brown sugar: This yields a more caramel-y flavor than plain granulated sugar and has more moisture then granulated sugar. Don’t have light brown sugar? Learn how to make your own here.
• Flour: We use all purpose flour however gluten free flour or whole wheat flour can be substituted to make this bread a bit healthier.
• Oil: Any neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil work! You could also use coconut oil or melted butter!
• Egg: Adds moisture and structure to the pumpkin bread.
• Baking soda and baking powder: Are both used to give this quick bread lots of lift.
• Pumpkin pie spice: It just wouldn’t be a proper pumpkin-themed breakfast or dessert recipe without this flavor element. Buy your favorite blend at the store, or make your own using this recipe.
• Softened cream cheese for the filling: Allow your cream cheese to come to room temperature before baking. If mixed cold, you’ll get clumps in the filling.

How to make Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread

This recipe is extremely simple, especially because it doesn’t require a mixer. Follow the steps below to make the best Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread at home:

• Combine wet ingredients: In separate bowl, whisk the egg, pumpkin puree, light brown sugar, oil, vanilla, and sour cream until just combined.

• Add dry ingredients: Fold in the pumpkin spice, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt just until just combined. Make sure not to over mix the batter. This will made the bread dense and chewy instead of light and fluffy.

• Make the cream cheese filling: In a separate bowl, combine the cream cheese, egg, sugar, and flour.

• Pour into loaf pan: Layer two-thirds of the bread batter in a greased 9×5 loaf pan. Then, layer with the cream cheese filling, followed with the pumpkin batter on top.

• Cook the Pumpkin Bread: Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes before loosening the edges with a knife, removing from the loaf pan, and placing on a wire rack to cool completely.

• Serve warm with a bit of butter on top, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, or plain. (Check out my full list of topping recommendations below, including a recipe for spiced cinnamon whipped cream.)

Tips for making The Best Pumpkin Bread

• Don’t over mix the batter. This is the trick to soft tender baked goods. Mix just until the flour is combined and no streaks remain.
• Bring your cream cheese to room temperature before baking for a smooth lump free batter. Here are 3 ways to quickly soften cream cheese in a pinch.
• Make sure the bread is fully cooked before taking it out of the oven. If the bread is undercooked it will sink in the middle.
• Resist the urge to slice into it right away. Let it cool completely before slicing. Although this is so hard and tempting to do slicing quick breads while they are still hot will will cause the bread to tear. It’s much easier to cut once its cool!
• Use storebought pumpkin pie spice or make your own version at home! Here is a great recipe for homemade pumpkin pie spice.

Can these be made into muffins?

Absolutely! Here is my recipe for Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins!

How to Store Pumpkin Bread

Bread can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 week. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months!

How to Serve this Pumpkin Bread

I love serving this pumpkin bread warmed up! I recommend microwaving it for 30 seconds or heating it in a skillet before serving. Below are some fun toppings to serve on top of pumpkin bread slices.

• Softened salted butter
• Pumpkin butter
• Drizzle of maple syrup
• Cinnamon cream cheese
• This bread would be amazing with my spiced cinnamon whipped cream! To make: Simply beat 1 cup heavy cream on high in a stand mixer until soft peaks form. Then add in powdered sugar to taste (2-3 tablespoons) and a pinch of cinnamon. Feel free to stop here, but I highly recommend adding in a dash of vanilla extract and a splash of bourbon.
• Or enjoy plain!

Here are more bread recipes to enjoy!

• Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
• Triple Chocolate Pumpkin Bread
• Lemon Blueberry Bread
• Cranberry Orange Bread
• The BEST Double Chocolate Banana Bread
• Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Banana Bread
• Marble Chocolate Banana Bread