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Pumpkin Bread Icing with Cream Cheese {So Fluffy!}

This fluffy pumpkin bread icing is made with 4 staple ingredients and comes together in 10 minutes. It turns homemade pumpkin bread into the ultimate fall treat! This cream cheese frosting for pumpkin bread is so soft and fluffy, just perfect for all your autumn baking recipes!

icing for pumpkin bread

Fluffy Cream Cheese Icing for Pumpkin Bread

This easy cream cheese icing is the perfect compliment to any pumpkin bread. Whether it’s 4 ingredient pumpkin bread or Downeast Maine pumpkin bread, the frosting will elevate it. The soft, creamy texture pairs so beautifully with moist, warmly spiced pumpkin bread.

I’ve been preparing this simple cream cheese icing for years. It’s made with 4 simple ingredients and whipped to the fluffiest consistency imaginable. And aside from pumpkin bread, you can spread it onto anything you want with a layer of luxurious cream cheese frosting.

pumpkin bread icing ingredients

Ingredients

I bet you have all the ingredients for this pumpkin bread icing already on hand. It’s really such an easy recipe! Scroll to the recipe card at the end of the post for the exact ingredient measurements.

  • Cream cheese: You need block-style cream cheese, not the whipped variety that comes in a tub. I recommend full-fat cream cheese for the best texture and taste. Soften the cream cheese by letting it sit on the counter for 15 to 20 minutes, so it combines more easily.
  • Butter: I prefer salted butter to balance all the sweetness, but unsalted butter works as well. Again, it should be softened for 15 minutes.
  • Powdered sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar or icing sugar, this super fine sugar sweetens and stabilizes the frosting. Sifting the powdered sugar helps to remove lumps and creates an ultra-smooth frosting.
  • Vanilla extract: A touch of vanilla adds depth of flavor and creates that classic cream cheese frosting aroma. Check the variations section below for ways to change up the flavor profile!
how to make pumpkin bread icing

How to make pumpkin bread icing

Cream cheese icing for pumpkin bread comes together so quickly and easily! I love that I can dump the ingredients into a mixing bowl and make this fluffy icing in minutes.

#1: Combine butter + cream cheese

  • Add the butter and cream cheese to a large mixing bowl and beat on high until well combined and light in color, about 4 to 5 minutes.
  • A hand mixer works best, but you can also use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment.

#2: Add vanilla + powdered sugar

  • Next, beat in the vanilla. Turn the speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar.

#3: Beat fluffy

  • Mix the mixture on high until light and fluffy in texture, about 3 minutes. Your icing is ready to use!
  • If you find the consistency a little too soft, put the frosting in the fridge for a bit to firm up.

#4: Frost away!

  • Spread the frosting onto cooled pumpkin bread.
  • You can also use it to frost other treats like sweet breads, cinnamon rolls, muffins, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and bars.
pumpkin bread cream cheese icing

Tips for the best pumpkin bread icing

Here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind to make this frosting for pumpkin bread a success!

  • Use brick-style cream cheese: Cream cheese from a tub is too soft and will not hold up well.
  • Soften the butter + cream cheese: Let the ingredients sit out on the counter to soften before whipping the frosting.
  • Beat it well: The first step is to aerate the butter and cream cheese, adding to the volume and soft texture. The next step dissolves the powdered sugar, making it luxuriously creamy and smooth.
  • Adjust the thickness: My recipe creates a spreadable pumpkin bread frosting. If you like it a little thicker, add more powdered sugar. To thin it out, add a little milk or heavy cream.
  • Double the amounts: You can easily double the recipe to frost more than one pumpkin loaf.
frosting for pumpkin bread

Variations

While this pumpkin bread icing tastes incredible as is, you got lots of fun options to mix it up and customize the flavor. Here are some ideas to try:

  • Vanilla bean: Instead of vanilla extract, season the icing with vanilla bean paste or scrape the seeds from 1 vanilla pod. The little vanilla specks look lovely!
  • Cinnamon is an amazing addition to this frosting and provides a wonderful warming aroma.
  • Spice mix: Add 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or chai spice mix. It’s perfect for all your fall bakes!
  • Maple extract: To make maple cream cheese frosting, stir 1 teaspoon maple extract into the icing.
  • Other extracts: Swap out vanilla for orange, almond, amaretto, butterscotch, or marshmallow flavor.
  • Chocolate: For a chocolaty version, stir 2 oz melted, cooled chocolate into the icing. I love white chocolate, but milk or semi-sweet is good too.
cream cheese frosting for pumpkin bread

How to use

How to spread pumpkin bread icing

The pumpkin bread cream cheese frosting is so light and fluffy, making it effortless to spread. First, you want to make sure your pumpkin bread has cooled to room temperature. It would melt on warm bread.

Then grab an offset spatula or a butter knife and slather it onto your loaf. I like to add a heaping amount in the center of the bread and bring it down to the sides.

This frosting is never going to be perfectly smooth. I say embrace it and create swirls and swooshes by wiggling the spatula around.

Alternately, pipe the frosting onto your pumpkin bread. It’s a great way to create a pretty pattern and add visual interest.

Garnishes

Now that you have beautifully frosted pumpkin bread, it’s time to dress it up! Try one of these pumpkin bread topping ideas – they are equally delicious and pretty!

  • Sprinkle of spices like ground cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg
  • Chopped nuts, e.g. pecans or walnuts
  • Candied pecans will create a lovely contrast of textures
  • Pepitas: Try these caramelized pepitas!
  • Drizzle of caramel sauce

Other uses for pumpkin bread frosting

This pumpkin bread topping is so versatile, and it isn’t just for pumpkin bread! The frosting is perfect for topping all kinds of home-baked goods. It pairs well with:

Storage instructions

How long can I store pumpkin bread frosting?

You can make the frosting in advance and keep it in the refrigerator for up to a week. It will firm up when cold, so allow it to soften at room temperature a bit before spreading it onto your pumpkin bread. I find it tastes best when it’s perfectly creamy and not hardened in the slightest.

Can I leave pumpkin bread icing at room temperature?

Yes. While there is dairy in the recipe, it’s stabilized by a generous amount of powdered sugar. You can frost your pumpkin bread, and the icing will be good a room temperature for a couple of hours. Beyond that, refrigerate your iced pumpkin bread to ensure food safety.

Can you freeze pumpkin bread cream cheese icing?

No, I don’t recommend freezing this pumpkin bread spread. Cream cheese has a high water content, which expands when frozen. As a result, thawed cream cheese frosting will become crumbly and lose its creamy, spreadable texture.

cream cheese frosting for pumpkin bread

Cream Cheese Frosting for Pumpkin Bread

Yield: icing for 1 pumpkin loaf
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

This fluffy pumpkin bread icing is made with 4 staple ingredients and comes together in 10 minutes. It turns homemade pumpkin bread into the ultimate fall treat! This cream cheese frosting for pumpkin bread is so soft and fluffy, just perfect for all your autumn baking recipes!

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup / 1/2 stick / 60 g / 2 oz butter, softened
  • 4 oz / 115 g cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup / 65 g / 2.3 oz powdered (confectioners’/icing) sugar

Instructions

  1. Before you start. The butter and cream cheese should be soft but still cool. If they are too warm and very soft, the frosting won’t be fluffy, but will have the runny consistency of a glaze. I recommend putting them on the counter not longer than 15 to 20 minutes before you start mixing the frosting.
    Combine butter and cream cheese. Add the butter and cream cheese to a large mixing bowl and beat on high until well combined and light in color, about 4 to 5 minutes. A hand mixer works best, but you can also use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment.
    Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Next, beat in the vanilla. Turn the speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar.
    Beat fluffy. Mix the mixture on high until light and fluffy in texture, about 3 minutes. Your icing is ready to use! If you find the consistency a little too soft, put the frosting in the fridge for a bit to firm up.
    Use. Spread the frosting onto cooled pumpkin bread. You can also use it to frost other treats like sweet breads, cinnamon rolls, muffins, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and bars.
    Store. You can make the frosting in advance and keep it in the refrigerator for up to a week. It will firm up when cold, so allow it to soften at room temperature a bit before spreading it onto your pumpkin bread.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 68Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 60mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 1g
pumpkin bread frosting

More frosting recipes

If you love a good homemade frosting, here are a few more that you can try. These icing recipes are easy to make and are perfect for all your baking projects.

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