Name: Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 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; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 2 large eggs; 1 cup pumpkin puree; 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional); 4 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1-2 tablespoons milk (to adjust consistency)

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Why Make This Recipe

Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting is a delightful treat that brings the warm flavors of fall into your kitchen any time of the year. This bread is moist, flavorful, and topped with a rich frosting that perfectly complements its spice. It’s a great dessert for family gatherings, a perfect snack for tea time, or a thoughtful homemade gift. Making this pumpkin bread is also quite simple, so you can enjoy baking without any stress!

How to Make Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

Pumpkin Bread ingredients:

1 1/2 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
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Cream Cheese Frosting ingredients:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2 tablespoons milk (to adjust consistency)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan (or line with parchment).
In a bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
In another bowl, whisk together the sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs until the mixture is smooth and pale. Stir in the pumpkin puree.
Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. If you like, fold in the chopped nuts.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, cover it with foil.
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the cream cheese frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, then mix in the vanilla extract. Add milk one tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
Once the bread is cool, spread the frosting evenly on top. You can garnish with chopped nuts or a sprinkle of cinnamon if you want.
Slice and serve! If you have leftover bread with frosting, refrigerate it for up to 5 days.

How to Serve Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting

Serve pumpkin bread fresh out of the oven or at room temperature. This bread tastes great with a cup of tea or coffee. You can also serve it as a dessert at dinner gatherings or alongside a hearty breakfast. If you want to add a special touch, consider adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side!

How to Store Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting

To keep your pumpkin bread fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze the un-frosted bread. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then place it in a freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before serving.

Tips to Make Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting

Use fresh pumpkin puree for a more vibrant flavor, or canned pumpkin works well too. Just ensure it’s pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
Don’t overmix the batter; mix until combined to keep your bread light and fluffy.
For a little extra flavor, you can add a pinch of chocolate chips or dried cranberries.
Adjust the sweetness of your cream cheese frosting by adding more or less powdered sugar to your taste.

Variation

Feel free to try adding different spices like ginger or allspice to the batter for additional flavor. You can also substitute some of the flour with whole wheat flour or add a splash of maple syrup for a different twist.

FAQs

Q: Can I make this bread without eggs?
A: Yes! You can substitute the eggs with flax eggs or applesauce as a binder.

Q: Is it okay to leave out the nuts?
A: Absolutely! The nuts are optional. You can leave them out if you prefer a nut-free bread.

Q: Can I make the cream cheese frosting ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the frosting a day ahead. Just store it in the fridge and stir well before using.