This Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting is the perfect combination of warm fall spices and a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting. The bread is soft, moist, and packed with the flavors of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom, creating a rich and comforting taste. The luscious cream cheese frosting adds a delightful sweetness that perfectly complements the spiced pumpkin bread, making it an irresistible autumn treat.
Why You’ll Love This:
You’ll love this pumpkin bread for its perfect balance of warm spices and creamy frosting. The pumpkin puree keeps the bread moist while the spices bring a depth of flavor that screams fall. The cream cheese frosting adds a rich, velvety finish that takes this bread from simple to indulgent. It’s perfect for serving at family gatherings, enjoying with a hot beverage, or giving as a gift during the autumn season.
Perfect Occasion:
This pumpkin bread is ideal for fall celebrations, Thanksgiving desserts, or just as a cozy weekend bake. It’s also great for breakfast or an afternoon snack, paired with coffee or tea. The loaf is easy to slice, making it perfect for sharing, and the cream cheese frosting adds a festive touch that will impress your guests.
Decoration Tips:
For an extra festive touch, sprinkle chopped toasted nuts, like pecans or walnuts, over the cream cheese frosting. You can also dust a little cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice over the top of the loaf to enhance the fall flavors. For a decorative presentation, consider swirling the frosting on top or creating decorative patterns with the back of a spoon.
Ingredients for the Pumpkin Bread:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 1/4 cups canned pumpkin puree
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-3 teaspoons milk (as needed for consistency)
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (170°C). Line a 9x5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper, allowing the edges to overhang for easy removal after baking. - Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, and salt until well combined. Set aside. - Prepare the Wet Ingredients:
In another large bowl, whisk together the canola oil, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla extract until fully combined. - Combine the Mixtures:
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, whisking until everything is well combined and smooth. - Bake the Pumpkin Bread:
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then use the parchment paper to lift it out and let it cool completely on a wire rack. - Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:
While the bread cools, prepare the frosting. In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature cream cheese and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Add the vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon of milk. Beat until smooth. If the frosting is too thick, add more milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. - Frost and Serve:
Once the pumpkin bread has cooled completely, spread or drizzle the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. For a firmer frosting, place the loaf in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
Slice and enjoy your rich, spiced pumpkin bread topped with creamy frosting!
This Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting is sure to become a fall favorite!