Cream Cheese Pumpkin Bread

This Cream Cheese Pumpkin Bread is the perfect combination of soft, moist texture and delicious autumn flavors. Made with fresh pumpkin and a creamy cheese filling, this easy-to-make bread will become your new fall favorite. Whether you’re serving it for breakfast or a dessert, it’s guaranteed to impress.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon ground ginger

• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1 cup pumpkin puree (fresh or canned)

• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)

• 1 cup sugar

• 2 large eggs

• ⅓ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ½ cup walnuts or pecans (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal after baking.

2. Mix the dry ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Set aside.

3. Prepare the wet ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar together using a hand mixer until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, add the pumpkin puree, oil, and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is well incorporated.

4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter. If you’re using nuts, fold them into the batter at this stage.

5. Bake:
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can cover the bread loosely with foil and continue baking.

6. Cool and serve:
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy!

Tips:

• Pumpkin Puree: If you’re using fresh pumpkin, simply steam and puree it until smooth. Make sure to drain any excess liquid.

• Cream Cheese Filling: If you want an extra creamy twist, you can add a layer of cream cheese filling in the middle of the bread before baking. Simply beat together cream cheese, sugar, and a bit of vanilla extract and spread it on top of the batter before adding more batter to cover.

• Storage: Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate it for longer freshness.

Why You’ll Love This Cream Cheese Pumpkin Bread:

This pumpkin bread with cream cheese is everything you need in a fall treat – soft, flavorful, and irresistibly moist. The subtle tang of the cream cheese pairs perfectly with the pumpkin spice, making every bite delightful. Whether you’re enjoying it on a cool morning with a cup of coffee or as an afternoon snack, it’s sure to become a family favorite.