Pumpkin bread with cream cheese glaze has become my go-to fall bake. Each loaf is filled with smooth pumpkin puree, warm pumpkin spice, and a touch of brown sugar that creates a soft, moist pumpkin bread recipe. Finished with a sweet cream cheese frosting that doubles as a glaze, it’s the kind of recipe that feels like autumn in every bite. Cool air, colorful leaves, and cozy sweaters all pair perfectly with a warm slice fresh from the oven.
Some bakers may say this pumpkin bread doesn’t need anything extra, but once you try it with a smooth cream cheese topping, you’ll never want it plain again. The tangy sweetness of the frosting balances the warm spices beautifully, making this the best pumpkin bread with cream cheese glaze.
If you love festive treats, be sure to check out my holiday desserts post for more cozy recipes that are perfect for sharing with family and friends!
Why you’ll love this recipe
When I first made this homemade pumpkin bread, I thought it couldn’t get any better. But then I topped it with a sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting for pumpkin bread, and suddenly it was the loaf everyone in my family begged for. What makes this loaf special isn’t just the flavor—it’s the texture. You’ll get a soft, moist pumpkin bread thanks to canned pumpkin puree, light brown sugar, room temperature butter, and the perfect mix of pumpkin pie spice.
Ingredients you’ll need
This moist pumpkin bread with cream cheese frosting requires a simple list of ingredients. Add pecans, chocolate chips, or roasted pumpkin seeds for some extra crunch.
- Pumpkin purée – The star of the show! Using canned pumpkin puree adds moisture and rich flavor, creating a soft and moist pumpkin bread every time. It also pairs beautifully with pumpkin spice and cinnamon. If you love baking with pumpkin, don’t miss my pumpkin muffins—a bite-sized twist on this same cozy flavor.
- All-purpose flour – The foundation of any bread recipe, flour provides structure. Use all-purpose for a classic loaf or gluten free flour if you need an allergy-friendly option.
- Light brown sugar – Brings a subtle caramel depth that makes the loaf extra comforting. The molasses in brown sugar adds richness and helps keep the bread tender.
- Granulated sugar – Balances the spices and enhances sweetness without overpowering the pumpkin flavor.
- Coconut oil – In this pumpkin bread recipe adds natural moisture, keeping the pumpkin bread batter soft and tender.
- Butter- Creaming butter with sugar traps air, which creates lift in the pumpkin bread batter and contributes to a soft, even texture in your loaf pan. Using room temperature butter ensures it blends smoothly for a consistent homemade pumpkin bread.
- Eggs – Bind everything together so your pumpkin bread batter holds its structure.
- Baking powder + soda – Leavening agents that make the loaf rise tall and fluffy.
- Cinnamon – Adds warmth and depth to the pumpkin bread recipe, enhancing pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice for that classic fall flavor.
- Salt – Balances sweetness in the pumpkin bread batter, sharpens spice, and complements the cream cheese frosting for pumpkin bread.
- Vanilla – Brings out sweetness, enriches pumpkin spice, and elevates both the loaf and the cream cheese icing for pumpkin bread.
Ingredients for the pumpkin bread with cream cheese glaze
- Cream Cheese – Brings a tangy, creamy flavor that balances the sweetness of the moist pumpkin bread.
- Butter – Adds smooth richness, making the cream cheese glaze for pumpkin bread extra rich.
- Powdered Sugar – Sweetens the glaze while giving it a light, airy texture that pairs perfectly with the loaf.
- Vanilla Extract – Enhances the flavor, adding warmth and depth to the pumpkin bread with cream cheese glaze.
Easy icing for pumpkin bread ingredients
- 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp milk or heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cream cheese glaze recipe instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and stir until creamy.
- Mix in milk a little at a time to reach a pourable consistency.
- Stir in vanilla extract for flavor.
- Drizzle over pumpkin bread with cream cheese glaze, Chill 10–15 minutes for a firmer cream cheese icing.
Spiced Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Glaze
Equipment
- 1 bread pan 9x5x4
- 1 wax paper unbleached
- 1 kitchen aid or handheld mixer
Ingredients
- 1¾ cup pumpkin puree 1 14oz can
- ¼ cup butter melted
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ⅓ cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¾ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
For the icing:
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 4 tsp butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar
Instructions
Pumpkin Bread
- Whisk together the dry ingredients and sugar in a large mixing bowl.
- In a medium bowl, combine the wet ingredients.
- Add dry and wet ingredients until just combined; it's okay if batter is lumpy.
- Place wax paper in bread pan and pour batter into pan.
- Bake pumpkin bread at 350℉ for 60 minutes.
For the icing:
- Combined softened butter, cream cheese, vanilla, sifted sugar and milk into the KitchenAid. Whip frosting until it is light and fluffy.
Notes
Hi Friend!
I’m Trisha.
Wife to a talented chef and mama to two little sous chefs, I’m passionate about food photography, exploring and sharing!
Finding inspiration in the beauty of the outdoors and the joy of a well-crafted dish, all while sharing moments together.
How to store pumpkin bread:
Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to keep it moist and fresh.
It can be stored at room temperature for a couple of days, refrigerated for up to a week, or even frozen for longer shelf life.
Enjoy every bite of this moist pumpkin bread with cream cheese frosting the perfect blend of warm spices, rich pumpkin flavor, and creamy sweetness.
I hope this pumpkin bread with cream cheese frosting recipe brings as much comfort to your home as it does to mine.
Be sure to comment and let me know how your pumpkin bread turned out—I’d love to hear how it was enjoyed!
This pumpkin bread turned out perfectly moist and full of fall flavor! The cream cheese glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness without being too heavy. Loved how easy the instructions were to follow — definitely a keeper for cozy weekends. I’ll be making this one again soon!