Description
This moist pumpkin bread is warmly spiced and swirled with a rich cream cheese layer for a cozy, bakery-style loaf perfect for fall mornings or holiday treats.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (50 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup (245 g) pumpkin purée
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) neutral oil (sunflower or vegetable)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar (for swirl)
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for swirl)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and line a 9 x 5–inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Add pumpkin purée, oil, milk, and vanilla. Mix until combined.
- Gently fold in the dry ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
- In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese with 1/4 cup sugar until smooth. Mix in egg yolk and 1/2 tsp vanilla until creamy.
- Pour half of the pumpkin batter into the loaf pan. Spoon cream cheese mixture over the batter, spreading gently and leaving a border around the edges.
- Top with remaining pumpkin batter and smooth the surface.
- Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then lift out and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
- Fold in 1/2 cup chopped nuts or chocolate chips for extra flavor.
- Substitute 2 tsp pumpkin spice mix for individual spices if preferred.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the loaf tender.
- Use softened cream cheese for a smooth swirl.
- Bread is even better the next day after flavors settle.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
