This irresistible Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread is the perfect fall treat! It has a wonderful creamy texture, and a warm, cozy, pumpkin spice flavor you'll crave. Best of all, it's super easy to prepare and ready in minutes ... make a batch today!
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I love this time of year! With the cooler weather (at least supposedly, it's still pretty warm in Texas!), the seasonal produce, and cozy fall recipes, there's so much to look forward to.
Pumpkin is one of those ingredients that I typically save for fall, and when autumn rolls around, I truly can't get enough. I have a bunch of pumpkin recipes that I make every year, and this Pumpkin Cream Cheese is a favorite treat!
You are going to love this tasty Pumpkin Spread! Cream cheese and pumpkin are two ingredients that are made for each other. This luscious spread has a rich, creamy texture, and the warm, cozy pumpkin spice flavor is absolutely mouthwatering. Plus, it's so easy (and quick) to make.
This flavorful spread is also a wonderful way to use up leftover pumpkin purée! And it's so versatile. Spread it on bagels, serve it with muffins, use it as a dip, or even as a frosting ... your options are endless.
Okay, are you hungry yet? Then keep scrolling for the easy recipe!
Ingredients
This tasty fall spread is made with basic ingredients:
- Pumpkin - You'll need some pumpkin, of course! You can use store bought Pumpkin Puree, but if you have the time, this recipe is a great way to use homemade Pumpkin Puree. Tip: Avoid using pumpkin pie filling, which it is already sweetened and spiced.
- Cream Cheese - For best results, use a block of cream cheese for this recipe (avoid the kind that comes in tubs). I used full fat cheese, but a light cream cheese would also work well in this recipe.
- Spices - This spread is seasoned with Pumpkin Pie Spice, a delicious combination of warm spices. If you can't find it, you can create your own spice mixture (check out the recipe card for help), or you could just use cinnamon for a simpler flavor.
- Sugar - Brown sugar gives the perfect amount of sweetness, while also enhancing the pumpkin and spices.
- Vanilla - A little vanilla extract adds another layer of flavor and makes the spread extra delicious.
This recipe is naturally vegetarian and gluten free! You can make it vegan and dairy free by using a plant based cream cheese.
You'll Also Need
While you could mix this recipe together by hand, using a stand mixer or a hand mixer will make the process much easier and faster.
How to Make Pumpkin Cream Cheese
This scrumptious, creamy Pumpkin Spread couldn't be easier to make! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's a quick overview of the steps:
- Mix cream cheese. Start by blending the cream cheese until smooth.
- Add remaining ingredients. Next, you add the pumpkin purée, brown sugar, pumpkin spice, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
- Blend everything together. Mix the cream cheese with the other ingredients until smooth and lump free. Then refrigerate until ready to use. Tip: Make sure to stop and scrape the bottom (and sides) of the bowl a few times to make sure you don't miss anything.
And that's all there is to it! Now that you know how easy this Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread is to make, you can treat yourself all fall long.
Variations
Feel like experimenting? Here are a few ways to change up the recipe:
- Squash - This recipe can be made with any type of puréed winter squash, including butternut, kabocha, acorn, or delicata.
- Spices - If you don't have any pumpkin pie spice, you can replace it with a combination of spices: 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, and ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg. Or you can use any warm spice that you might use in baking.
- Vegan - You can easily make this spread vegan and dairy free by using a plant based cream cheese.
How to Use
There are so many ways to use this tasty pumpkin flavored cream cheese:
- Bagels - This is the ultimate fall bagel topper. Yum!
- Toast - The perfect way to perk up a slice of toasted bread.
- Topping - Use as a topping on pancakes, waffles, french toast, quick breads, and more.
- Dip - Serve with apple slices, graham crackers, or shortbread for dipping.
- Quick Frosting - It's delish on cinnamon rolls, muffins, cupcakes, cookies, and more.
Storage
Store leftover Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese in a small, airtight container in your refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for about a week.
Related Recipes
Looking for more pumpkin recipes? Try one of these delicious dishes next:
- Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal
- Pumpkin Overnight Oats
- Pumpkin Lentil Curry
- Pumpkin Couscous Salad
- Pumpkin Pizza
- Roasted Pumpkin Soup
- Mini Pumpkin Tarts
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 (8 ounce / 226 gram) block cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (see note)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch kosher salt
Equipment
- Stand Mixer (or Hand Mixer)
Instructions
- Using a stand mixer (or hand mixer), mix cream cheese until smooth.
- Add pumpkin puree, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to pumpkin.
- Mix everything together until full combined and smooth, stopping to scrape down sides and bottom of bowl a couple times.
- Serve immediately or chill until ready to use. Enjoy!
Notes
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Nutrition
