Cream Cheese Pumpkin Bread

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Article: Cream Cheese Pumpkin Bread – A Fall Favorite

As the fall season rolls in, cozy treats become the perfect way to warm up and celebrate the flavors of the season. One such delightful indulgence is Cream Cheese Pumpkin Bread, combining the rich, spiced flavors of pumpkin with a creamy, sweet filling. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting, this recipe offers an easy, satisfying bake that will impress friends and family. The balance of moist pumpkin bread and tangy cream cheese filling makes it a perfect companion to your morning coffee or an after-dinner treat.

The Secret Behind Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin is a fall staple that adds natural moisture and a slightly sweet, earthy flavor to baked goods. Combined with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves (commonly found in pumpkin pie spice), pumpkin bread becomes a spiced treat that brings the essence of the season into your kitchen. The addition of a cream cheese layer elevates this humble loaf into a dessert-like bread that satisfies any sweet tooth.

The Cream Cheese Layer

What sets this pumpkin bread apart from traditional versions is the cream cheese filling. A smooth blend of cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla, it adds a creamy, tangy contrast to the sweet and spicy bread. The filling creates beautiful swirls or a solid layer inside the loaf, adding both texture and flavor to each bite.

Recipe: Cream Cheese Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients:

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1 egg, room temperature
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (50 g) sugar
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour

For the Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups (260 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves)

For the Wet Ingredients:

• 1⅓ cup (260 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (225 g) pumpkin puree
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) sunflower oil (or any neutral oil)
• ⅓ cup (70 g) Greek yogurt, room temperature
• 2 eggs, room temperature

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling In a small bowl, combine softened cream cheese, egg, vanilla extract, sugar, and flour. Mix everything together until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Make sure the ingredients are evenly distributed, and set this mixture aside.

Step 3: Prepare the Wet Ingredients In a larger bowl, whisk together the sugar, pumpkin puree, sunflower oil, Greek yogurt, and eggs. Whisk until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in two stages. Stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix as this can result in a dense loaf.

Step 5: Assemble the Bread Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan (or similar size) and line it with parchment paper for easy removal. Pour half of the pumpkin batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom. Carefully pour or spoon the cream cheese filling on top of the batter, ensuring an even layer. Gently spread the remaining pumpkin batter over the cream cheese layer.

Step 6: Bake the Loaf Bake the pumpkin bread for 60–70 minutes, or until a toothpick or skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Bread

1. Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure the eggs, cream cheese, and yogurt are at room temperature before mixing. This helps create a smooth batter and even baking.
2. Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to tough, dense bread. Mix just until the dry ingredients are incorporated.
3. Custom Spices: If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, you can easily make your own by combining cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.

This Cream Cheese Pumpkin Bread is perfect for gifting or as a treat during fall gatherings. Make sure to check out the YouTube video for a visual guide on how to create this tasty fall dessert!

Enjoy the rich flavors of pumpkin and creamy cheese in every bite!