Oh, it is fall and that means everything “pumpkin spice” is upon us! Our local bagelry offers a fabulous pumpkin cream cheese spread and this year I decided I wanted to make my own.
Savory Pumpkin Cream Cheese
The biggest difference between theirs and others I’ve seen is being savory versus sweet. I love sweet, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t want cream cheese frosting on my bagel. I want velvety and savory cream cheese.
Many also just use pumpkin spice, not actual pumpkin. Our homemade cream cheese spread uses real pumpkin puree and also pumpkin pie spice, giving it real falls flavors.
It also makes it a little less thick than traditional cream cheese. More like a whipped, spreadable cream cheese.
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread
A cream cheese mixture full of pumpkin spice flavor and perfect for adding to so many things- what’s not to love!
- Many uses – This cream cheese can be used in so many things! Use it as a cream cheese swirl in muffin batter, use it as the filling for a pumpkin roll, dip apple slices or graham crackers into it- the options are endless.
- Great for Thanksgiving dinner – If you need a fun and new appetizer to try, this is a good recipe to serve. Easy to make and loved by all.
- Fall season favorite – This recipe is one of my favorite things to snack on during fall. It’s easy to whip up and I always keep some in the fridge.
Ingredients
So while many recipes called for brown sugar or powdered sugar, I didn’t use either. Instead I opted for a small amount of honey. The trade off is that there isn’t another dry ingredient to help thicken the spread.
Which for me isn’t an issue. I prefer a light and fluffy cream cheese anyhow. Easier to spread and not so filling…. which means I can eat more. Because it’s not super thick, you could also use it as a dip. It would be lovely on a fall themed charcuterie board or something similar.
After 4 tries, these are the ingredients I landed on:
- Cream Cheese– I used full fat, but you can use reduced or fat free.
- Honey– to balance the flavors, but not to be too sweet.
- Pumpkin Puree– not pumpkin pie filling, but real pumpkin. Pumpkin pie filling is sweetened and spiced already. Making your own is the best way!
- Pumpkin Pie Spice– alternatively you can use apple pie spice, the only difference is cloves. Feel free to make your own.
How to Make Pumpkin Cream Cheese
Assembly is pretty simple, but don’t skimp on whipping the cream cheese. If you add all the ingredients at once, you’ll get a lumpy spread that is too loose.
- Soften cream cheese. Make sure your cream cheese is well softened. Cutting it into smaller pieces or chucks can speed up the process.
- Beat until fluffy. With a hand mixer, beat cream cheese well, until light, fluffy and smooth.
- Beat in pumpkin. Add pumpkin, beating well again until fully incorporated, this might take 3-4 minutes.
- Remaining ingredients. Add honey, spices and vanilla. Blend again.
- Chill. Place back into the fridge until ready to use and harden a little.
Uses
Anything you’d spread regular cream cheese on, or bake with, can be substituted for pumpkin cream cheese. This means anything from:
- Spread on a bagel
- Use as a condiment on sandwiches
- A cream cheese frosting recipe
- As the cream cheese filling in baked goods like pumpkin cream cheese muffins, pumpkin cream cheese bread, coffee cake or cupcakes.
In some cases, it can also be substituted for a pumpkin butter recipe. Just keep in mind this is a savory spread, so if using it in frosting you will need to add the normal amount of sugar that you normally would.
Storage & Freezing
Storage: Pumpkin cream cheese can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. It can certainly be made ahead and enjoyed for several mornings. Do not keep at room temperature.
Freezing: I do not recommend freezing this recipe. It does not thaw well, plus it’s so good I’d be surprised if you had any leftover!
More Pumpkin Recipes
Pumpkin Pie in a Cup
Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread Recipe
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese , well softened
- 3 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 1 tablespoon honey or agave nectar
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl or bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened cream cheese well until smooth and fluffy.
- Add the pumpkin, blending on high until fully incorporated and smooth, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the honey and pumpkin pie, blending again.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments and ratings!
Notes
Nutrition
I gave this 3 stars because it was not really sweet enough. If you are looking for something not so sweet this is it. I ended up adding 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and I used 1 teaspoon of vanilla instead of half. With those adjustments this was an amazing frosting. I am going to try it with the chocolate chip pumpkin bread recipe on this website.
Hi Sharon, I’m not sure this recipe was what you were looking for- the is a savory cream cheese spread, like for bagels or toast. You can make it into cream cheese frosting, like you did, but the actual recipe is more for savory items.
Can’t wait to try these out! Everything sounds great!
You’ll love it 🙂 And thank you for your support!
Such a lovely fall-inspired spread. Looks delicious. I love anything pumpkin and spice flavored, so I can’t wait to give this recipe a try. Thanks!
Oh yum! This is what Fall is made of!!
What a delish treat it is. I am just loving it.❤️
Oh man – now I need a nice doughy fresh bagel from the deli to spread this on – delicious!
I love everything about this cream cheese! I’ so with you my bagel needs a savory cream cheese and not sweet frosting! I can’t wait to try these it’s the perfect fall lunch.