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Cozy 5-Ingredient Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Swirl

cozy 5-ingredient pumpkin bread with cream cheese swirl - featured image
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This simple pumpkin bread uses just five main ingredients and a boxed cake mix for an incredibly moist, tender crumb. A tangy cream cheese swirl makes it feel special, perfect for fall gatherings or a cozy weekend treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix (Duncan Hines preferred)
  • 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree (100% pure, not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional but recommended)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the long sides. Spray exposed ends with nonstick spray.
  2. Make the cream cheese swirl mixture: In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese with 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes with a hand mixer on medium speed. Set aside.
  3. Prepare the pumpkin batter: In a large bowl, combine yellow cake mix, pumpkin puree, and room-temperature eggs. Mix with a spatula or hand mixer on low speed until just combined, about 30 seconds. Batter will be thick and slightly sticky.
  4. Layer the batter and cream cheese mixture: Spread half the pumpkin batter into the prepared loaf pan. Drop spoonfuls of half the cream cheese mixture over the batter. Top with remaining pumpkin batter, then add remaining cream cheese mixture in dollops.
  5. Create the swirl pattern: Use a butter knife or skewer to drag through the batter in a figure-eight pattern, making about 5-6 passes. Do not over-swirl.
  6. Bake for 50-60 minutes, placing the pan in the center of the oven. Start checking at 50 minutes—a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If top browns too quickly, tent loosely with aluminum foil after 40 minutes.
  7. Cool completely before slicing: Let bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then lift out using parchment paper handles onto a wire rack. Cool completely before slicing.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature ingredients. Don’t overmix the batter. Let bread cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling. Bread tastes even better on day two. For gluten-free version, use gluten-free yellow cake mix. For dairy-free, use dairy-free cream cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin bread, cream cheese swirl, 5-ingredient, easy fall recipe, quick bread, pumpkin dessert

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/cozy-5-ingredient-pumpkin-bread-with-cream-cheese-swirl/