Pumpkin season is here, and I’m not just talking about your basic PSL (though, let’s be real, those are iconic). If you’re craving something warm, cozy, and just a little indulgent, pumpkin cream cheese bread is where it’s at. These seven recipes are like a hug from fall itself—moist, spiced, and swirled with creamy goodness that’ll make your kitchen smell like a bakery. Whether you’re prepping for a cozy night in or trying to impress your in-laws, I’ve got you covered with recipes that are easy to whip up and impossible to resist. Ready to bake your heart out? Let’s get to it!
1. Classic Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Bread
This is the OG of pumpkin breads—think warm spices, a tender crumb, and a cream cheese swirl that’s basically frosting you don’t have to feel guilty about. It’s the kind of loaf that makes you want to cancel plans and stay home with a cup of coffee.
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for cream cheese swirl)
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for swirl)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Pro tip: Line it with parchment for easy removal.
- Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a bowl. Set it aside.
- In another bowl, mix pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined—don’t overmix, or you’ll get a tough loaf.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla in a small bowl until creamy.
- Pour half the pumpkin batter into the pan, spread the cream cheese mixture over it, then top with the remaining batter.
- Swirl a knife through the layers for that marbled look. Bake for 60–70 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
Why You’ll Love It
This bread is the perfect balance of spiced pumpkin and tangy cream cheese. It’s like a pumpkin spice latte and a cheesecake had a baby. I once brought this to a potluck, and it disappeared faster than my willpower around a cheese plate.
2. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread with Streusel Topping
Want to take things up a notch? This version adds a buttery, crunchy streusel that makes every bite feel like a special occasion. It’s a little extra, but aren’t we all sometimes?
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sugar (for swirl)
- 1 large egg yolk
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (for streusel)
- ¼ cup brown sugar (for streusel)
- ½ tsp cinnamon (for streusel)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (for streusel)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice in a bowl.
- Combine pumpkin, sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla in another bowl until smooth.
- Stir dry ingredients into wet until just blended.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, and egg yolk until creamy.
- For the streusel, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until crumbly.
- Pour half the pumpkin batter into the pan, add the cream cheese layer, then top with remaining batter. Sprinkle streusel on top.
- Bake for 65–75 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool for 15 minutes before transferring to a rack.
Why You’ll Love It
The streusel adds a sweet crunch that’s borderline addictive. It’s like eating dessert for breakfast, and I’m not mad about it. Perfect for when you want to feel fancy without too much effort.
3. Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread
Got a gluten-free friend or just trying to cut back? This loaf is so good, you won’t even miss the wheat. It’s moist, flavorful, and still has that dreamy cream cheese swirl.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups gluten-free 1:1 baking flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup coconut oil, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sugar (for swirl)
- 1 large egg yolk
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Whisk gluten-free flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in a bowl.
- Mix pumpkin, sugar, coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla in another bowl until smooth.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring gently.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, and egg yolk until smooth.
- Layer half the batter in the pan, spread cream cheese mixture, then add remaining batter. Swirl with a knife.
- Bake for 60–70 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
Why You’ll Love It
This bread is proof that gluten-free can be just as indulgent. The coconut oil adds a subtle richness, and the spices scream fall. I made this for a gluten-free coworker, and she demanded the recipe on the spot—true story.
4. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread with Chocolate Chips
Chocolate and pumpkin? Yes, please. This recipe is for those days when you want to feel like a kid again, sneaking chocolate before dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sugar (for swirl)
- 1 large egg yolk
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Mix flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice in a bowl.
- Combine pumpkin, sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla in another bowl.
- Stir dry ingredients into wet, then fold in chocolate chips.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, and egg yolk until creamy.
- Pour half the batter into the pan, add cream cheese layer, then top with remaining batter. Swirl gently.
- Bake for 60–70 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean (a few chocolate smudges are fine).
- Cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a rack.
Why You’ll Love It
The chocolate chips add gooey pockets of joy that pair perfectly with the spiced pumpkin. It’s like a warm hug from your favorite dessert. I once ate half a loaf in one sitting—don’t judge me.
5. Vegan Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread
This plant-based version is so good, even carnivores won’t complain. The vegan cream cheese swirl is creamy, tangy, and totally crave-worthy.
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup coconut sugar
- ½ cup coconut oil, melted
- ¼ cup almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz vegan cream cheese
- ¼ cup coconut sugar (for swirl)
- 1 tbsp almond milk (for swirl)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl.
- Mix pumpkin, coconut sugar, coconut oil, almond milk, and vanilla in another bowl.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
- Beat vegan cream cheese, coconut sugar, and almond milk until smooth.
- Layer half the batter in the pan, add cream cheese mixture, then top with remaining batter. Swirl with a knife.
- Bake for 60–70 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
Why You’ll Love It
This vegan loaf is rich, moist, and full of fall flavors. The coconut sugar gives it a caramel-like depth that’s honestly to die for. I brought this to a vegan potluck, and it was gone before I could grab a second slice—rude, but fair.
6. Spiced Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread with Walnuts
Love a little crunch? This walnut-packed version adds texture and a nutty vibe that makes every bite extra satisfying. Perfect for those who think plain bread is boring.
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup chopped walnuts
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sugar (for swirl)
- 1 large egg yolk
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Mix flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves in a bowl.
- Combine pumpkin, sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla in another bowl.
- Stir dry ingredients into wet, then fold in walnuts.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, and egg yolk until creamy.
- Pour half the batter into the pan, add cream cheese layer, then top with remaining batter. Swirl gently.
- Bake for 65–75 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a rack.
Why You’ll Love It
The walnuts add a toasty crunch that takes this bread to the next level. It’s like fall in loaf form—cozy and comforting. I once swapped pecans for walnuts, and it was good, but walnuts are the real MVP here.
7. Maple-Glazed Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread
This one’s for the sweet tooths out there. A maple glaze drizzled over the top makes this loaf feel like a fancy bakery treat, but it’s stupidly easy to make.
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sugar (for swirl)
- 1 large egg yolk
- ¼ cup maple syrup (for glaze)
- ½ cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 1 tbsp milk (for glaze)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice in a bowl.
- Mix pumpkin, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla in another bowl.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients until just blended.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, and egg yolk until creamy.
- Layer half the batter in the pan, add cream cheese mixture, then top with remaining batter. Swirl with a knife.
- Bake for 60–70 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Mix maple syrup, powdered sugar, and milk for the glaze. Drizzle over cooled bread.
Why You’ll Love It
The maple glaze is pure magic—sweet, sticky, and just a little decadent. This bread is perfect for impressing guests or just treating yourself. I drizzled extra glaze on mine, and let’s just say I have no regrets. 😊
Related Recipes:
- 9 Creamy Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipes You’ll Crave This Fall
- 7 Irresistible Pumpkin Pie Recipes to Savor This Fall
- 10 Fluffy Pumpkin Muffins You’ll Fall in Love With
- 11 Pumpkin Spice Ideas to Warm Up Your Fall
Wrapping It Up
These pumpkin cream cheese bread recipes are your ticket to fall baking glory. From classic swirls to vegan delights and maple-glazed decadence, there’s something here for every mood and craving. They’re easy enough for a weeknight bake sesh but tasty enough to steal the show at any gathering. So grab that can of pumpkin puree, preheat your oven, and make your kitchen smell like autumn heaven. Which one are you baking first? 😉
