Description
This Cream Cheese-Filled Pumpkin Bread is a moist, flavor-packed treat featuring a spiced pumpkin batter with a creamy, luscious cream cheese filling. Perfect for fall or any time you crave a comforting sweet loaf with a delightful surprise inside.
Ingredients
Scale
Pumpkin Bread Batter
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin purée, eggs, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and thoroughly combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, ground cinnamon, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and spices.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently with a spatula or spoon until just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, egg, granulated sugar, and flour together until the mixture is smooth and creamy, free of lumps.
- Layer the Batter and Filling: Pour half of the pumpkin bread batter into the prepared loaf pan, spread the cream cheese filling evenly over this first layer, then pour the remaining pumpkin batter over the cream cheese, smoothing the top carefully.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bread is fully cooked.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 15 minutes to set, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened beforehand to achieve a smooth filling mixture.
- Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to keep the bread tender and moist.
- Test for doneness with a toothpick to avoid under or overbaking.
- For an extra festive touch, sprinkle chopped nuts or chocolate chips into the batter if desired.
