Moist Pumpkin Bread Frosting

Featured in Breakfast & Brunch.

This moist pumpkin loaf is an autumn favorite! Takes around 2 hours to put together. The cream cheese mascarpone frosting makes all the difference—rich, smooth, and indulgent. Every slice is pure seasonal bliss. Made it for friends, and it disappeared fast. Worth every second of effort!
A woman wearing an apron and smiling.
Updated on Wed, 09 Apr 2025 04:24:57 GMT
Freshly baked pumpkin loaf covered with smooth frosting and sprinkled lightly with spices. Pin it
Freshly baked pumpkin loaf covered with smooth frosting and sprinkled lightly with spices. | tasteofmoms.com

Incredible Autumn Pumpkin Loaf

Honestly, this pumpkin loaf captures everything wonderful about autumn baking in one amazing treat. It turns out so tender and soft every time, while the cream cheese topping adds that perfect touch of luxury. I can't get enough of how those seasonal spices make my home smell absolutely wonderful.

What Makes This Pumpkin Bread So Amazing

The magic of this pumpkin bread lies in how easy it is to whip up yet it tastes absolutely fantastic. All the spices work together beautifully with the pumpkin, and that cream cheese topping really makes it special. It's foolproof for both kitchen newbies and seasoned bakers alike.

Your Shopping List

  • Oil: This keeps everything wonderfully moist.
  • Powdered sugar: Just enough for perfect sweetness.
  • Mascarpone: For an extra luxurious topping.
  • Cream cheese: The foundation of our luscious topping.
  • Eggs: These give amazing richness and softness.
  • Sugars: A mix of two creates ideal sweetness.
  • Spices: My signature blend creates that cozy fall feeling.
  • Flour: Standard all-purpose gives the best consistency.
  • Pumpkin puree: Either homemade or store-bought works great.

Let's Start Baking

Make It Pretty
Spread your topping with lovely dips and curves.
Make That Frosting
Create the most delicious cream cheese topping.
Time to Bake
Watch it become perfectly golden in your oven.
Mix Your Batter
Combine wet stuff first then gently add your dry ingredients.
Get Ready
Prepare your baking tin and heat up your oven.

Tips From My Kitchen

Using ingredients at room temperature really transforms this pumpkin bread. Don't stir too much or you'll lose that lovely fluffiness. Always double-check your oven runs true to temperature and wait until the bread cools completely before adding topping.

Storage Tips

Your unfrosted pumpkin bread will stay good for up to four days when kept in a sealed container. After adding topping, store it in the refrigerator. Want something different? Try throwing in some walnuts, dark chocolate chunks or a bit of citrus zest. You can really make it your own.

A close-up view of a sliced loaf cake with creamy frosting and crumb topping, resting on a wire rack. Pin it
A close-up view of a sliced loaf cake with creamy frosting and crumb topping, resting on a wire rack. | tasteofmoms.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why is cold cream cheese better for frosting?

Chilled cream cheese holds its shape better and doesn't need too much sugar for thickness.

→ What’s the purpose of adding a butter line?

It ensures the top cracks neatly during baking instead of splitting unpredictably.

→ Can I replace pumpkin puree with pie filling?

Stick to pure pumpkin puree since pie filling already has extras that can change the result.

→ Why skip a stand mixer for the frosting?

A hand mixer gives better control, so you don’t whip too much and lose the right texture.

→ How should I store it afterward?

Because of the cream cheese topping, store this in the fridge for up to three days.

Pumpkin Bread Cream Cheese

Spiced pumpkin loaf with silky cream cheese frosting. A must-try for autumn baking lovers!

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
60 Minutes
By: Ashley

Category: Breakfast & Brunch

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings (1 loaf)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1/2 teaspoon salt.
02 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice mix.
03 100g white sugar.
04 1 teaspoon baking soda.
05 180g vegetable oil.
06 3 large eggs at room temp.
07 100g brown sugar.
08 57g cold mascarpone.
09 226g chilled cream cheese.
10 30g sifted powdered sugar.
11 1/2 teaspoon baking powder.
12 215g plain pumpkin puree.
13 240g regular all-purpose flour.

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) ahead of time.

Step 02

Lightly coat a 9x5 loaf pan with oil or butter.

Step 03

Beat together the sugars, eggs, and oil until it looks airy.

Step 04

Gently mix in the pumpkin puree at this stage.

Step 05

Carefully fold the dry mix into the wet until just combined.

Step 06

Pipe a thin butter line along the top.

Step 07

Pop it in the oven for 45 to 50 minutes.

Step 08

Let it cool off completely before frosting.

Step 09

Blend the mascarpone, cream cheese, and sugar until smooth.

Step 10

Spread or pipe frosting onto the fully chilled loaf.

Notes

  1. Always keep the cream cheese cold for the frosting.
  2. Don't mix the frosting more than necessary.
  3. Best stored in the fridge for up to three days.
  4. Stick to pure pumpkin, not the seasoned pie filling.

Tools You'll Need

  • Kitchen scale (digital).
  • 9x5 loaf baking pan.
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer.
  • Wire rack for cooling bread.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy from cream cheese and mascarpone.
  • Has wheat due to flour.
  • Eggs are used in batter.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 495
  • Total Fat: 20 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 75 g
  • Protein: 10 g