Easy Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Swirl is a cozy, delicious treat that combines the warm flavors of pumpkin and spices with a smooth, tangy ribbon of cream cheese running right through the middle. It’s soft, moist, and has just the right amount of sweetness to make it perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack.
I love how simple this recipe is to follow, and the cream cheese swirl adds a fun surprise in every slice. Whenever I make this bread, the aroma fills the kitchen and makes everyone excited to try a slice. Plus, it’s a great way to use up that extra pumpkin puree when fall is in the air.
My favorite way to enjoy this bread is warm, slathered with a little butter or even a drizzle of honey. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or tea, making it a perfect cozy moment. I always end up making extra to share with friends because it’s just that good and everyone seems to love it!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Pumpkin Puree: Canned pumpkin puree is convenient and consistent in flavor. If unavailable, you can use fresh roasted and mashed pumpkin but make sure to cook out excess moisture first.
Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger give classic warm pumpkin bread flavor. If you don’t have all, just use cinnamon and nutmeg—they do most of the flavor work.
Cream Cheese: The softened cream cheese creates the creamy swirl. For a lighter option, try Neufchâtel cheese or a dairy-free cream cheese alternative, and whip it a bit for smoothness.
Oil: Vegetable oil keeps the bread moist but you can swap it with melted coconut or canola oil. Avoid butter here, as oil provides better moisture and texture.
How Do I Create a Perfect Cream Cheese Swirl?
Making the swirl look neat without mixing the layers too much can be tricky. Here’s how I do it:
- Pour half the pumpkin batter evenly into the pan first.
- Spoon the cream cheese mixture gently over the pumpkin batter, but don’t spread it all the way to edges to avoid leakage.
- Pour the rest of the pumpkin batter on top, trying to keep it even.
- Use a knife or skewer to drag through both batter layers just a few times in a figure-8 or zig-zag pattern. Don’t over-swirl!
This technique creates a nice marbled effect and keeps the swirl visible in each slice. Letting the batter layer settle for a moment before swirling can help, too.
Equipment You’ll Need
- 9×5-inch loaf pan – perfect size for even baking and shaping the bread.
- Mixing bowls – one for dry ingredients and one for wet to keep things tidy.
- Electric mixer or hand whisk – makes beating cream cheese smooth and mixing batter easy.
- Rubber spatula – great for folding ingredients without deflating the batter.
- Wooden skewer or knife – helps you create that beautiful cream cheese swirl pattern.
- Cooling rack – lets the bread cool evenly and prevents sogginess.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Stir in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans for a nice crunch and nutty flavor.
- Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips to the pumpkin batter for a sweeter, dessert-style twist.
- Swap cream cheese for mascarpone for a richer, slightly milder swirl that melts beautifully.
- Mix in 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries for chewy, fruity bursts in each bite.
Easy Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Swirl
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Pumpkin Bread:
- 1 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (240ml) canned pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Swirl:
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Time Needed
This pumpkin bread takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 55-65 minutes to bake. Allow around 15 minutes for cooling before slicing. So from start to finish, plan for about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Pan and Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to ensure the bread won’t stick.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger until they’re well combined.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients for Pumpkin Bread:
In a large bowl, beat the pumpkin puree, sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
4. Mix Dry and Wet Batter:
Gradually add the dry ingredient mix to the pumpkin mixture. Stir just until everything is combined and you have a thick batter. Don’t over-mix.
5. Make the Cream Cheese Swirl:
In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy.
6. Layer the Batter and Swirl:
Pour half of the pumpkin batter into the prepared loaf pan. Carefully spoon the cream cheese mixture over the batter, spreading it gently but leaving a little space near the edges. Pour the remaining pumpkin batter over the cream cheese layer. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the cream cheese through the pumpkin batter for a pretty marbled effect.
7. Bake the Bread:
Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the pumpkin bread (away from the cream cheese swirl) comes out clean.
8. Cool and Serve:
Let the bread cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy warm or at room temperature—perhaps with a little butter or honey on top.
Can I Use Fresh Pumpkin Instead of Canned Puree?
Yes! If using fresh pumpkin, roast and puree it first, then drain any excess liquid to avoid making the batter too wet. Measure out 1 cup of the prepared puree for the recipe.
How Should I Store Leftover Pumpkin Bread?
Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze slices wrapped well for up to 3 months.
Can I Make This Recipe Gluten-Free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend in equal amounts. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum for best texture.
What’s the Best Way to Get a Defined Cream Cheese Swirl?
Be sure not to over-swirl the cream cheese into the batter. After layering, gently drag a knife in a figure-8 or zig-zag pattern a few times. Over-mixing can cause the swirl to disappear.
