Print

Best Lightened-Up Cream Cheese Swirl Pumpkin Bread

lightened-up cream cheese swirl pumpkin bread - featured image
Print Recipe

A moist and tender pumpkin bread with a tangy cream cheese swirl, lightened up with applesauce and less sugar. Perfect for fall mornings, brunches, or any time you crave a cozy, satisfying treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ¾ cups (210g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (245g) pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (50g) packed light brown sugar
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil or vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 ounces (113g) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, letting it overhang the long sides. Lightly grease the short sides.
  2. Make the cream cheese swirl: In a small bowl, beat softened cream cheese with 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 egg yolk, and ½ teaspoon vanilla until smooth. Set aside.
  3. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
  4. Combine wet ingredients: In another medium bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, applesauce, melted coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
  5. Fold dry into wet: Pour dry ingredients into wet. Use a rubber spatula to fold gently until just combined (a few lumps are fine). Do not overmix.
  6. Layer and swirl: Pour half the pumpkin batter into the prepared pan. Drop spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture over batter, then pour remaining pumpkin batter on top. Add remaining cream cheese in dollops. Use a butter knife to gently swirl (5-6 figure-eight motions).
  7. Bake for 50-60 minutes. At 30 minutes, tent with foil if top is browning too quickly. Bread is done when a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Cool in pan for 15 minutes, then lift out using parchment. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Room temperature ingredients matter for smooth incorporation. Do not overmix batter to avoid dense bread. Use a light hand when swirling to keep distinct ribbons. Let bread cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 GF flour blend and add an extra tablespoon of applesauce. For dairy-free, use dairy-free cream cheese. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin bread, cream cheese swirl, lightened-up, fall recipe, quick bread, healthy pumpkin bread

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/best-lightened-up-cream-cheese-swirl-pumpkin-bread/