Pumpkin Spice Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting by Baking The Goods.

Whether you are a pumpkin spice fanatic or not, there is no denying that all things pumpkin spice dominate fall flavors. This moist and tender Pumpkin Spice Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting is the ultimate fall bake. That comforting combo of luscious pumpkin bread scented with warm pumpkin spice and fluffy, whipped maple cream cheese frosting comforts like a warm blanket.

The popularity of my Pumpkin Spice Brown Butter Bourbon Bundt Cake just goes to show you that our collective love of pumpkin spice baked goods runs as thick as maple syrup. The spicy mix of ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice is a deliciously balanced combination of spices that brings warmth and comfort to baked goods.

Quick bread recipes are a comforting kickoff to the fall baking season

The comfort of fall leads us back to our kitchens. That shift in the weather encourages heartier meals and ushers in the baking season. This time of year, I personally like to ease into the baking phase with simple and spiced baked goods. Biting into a slice of fresh from the oven Brown Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Banana Bread or Pumpkin Spice Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting sets the tone for colder months.

Pumpkin Spice Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting recipe video

What Exactly is a Quick Bread?

Quick breads can come in many forms; quick bread loaves, muffins, coffee cakes, cornbread, scones and biscuits. They can be sweet or savory. Technically they are all quick breads because they use chemical leavening agents; baking soda and/or baking powder to quicken the rise. Unlike traditional breads that are made with yeast and take hours, even days, to bulk up and rise. The chemical leavening agents make it quick bread. Personally I generally only think of quick bread loaves, muffins, cornbread and maybe coffee cakes as classic quick breads. I consider scones and biscuits to have their own identity. The lines are blurry here.

Let's be honest, a quick bread is more like a cake than a bread.

Considering the ingredients, process and texture of quick breads they really are less like traditional breads and more like cake. Although they are often heartier and less sweet than cake. For the record, I am totally ok with a cake masquerading as a bread.

This Pumpkin Spice Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting has all of the things you want in a quick bread. It's loaded with pumpkin spice, that's a given. But, it's got much more to offer beyond your basic PSL shell. The bread itself is undeniably moist thanks to a few key ingredients, see the list below. It's got a dense bite without feeling heavy and that hefty punch of spice sings with fall flavors. The bread is topped with creamy swoops of Maple Cream Cheese Frosting that add seasonal sweetness to the spicy loaf. With that frosting, this fall quick bread recipe definitely dips closer into cake territory than the basic breads. We are all ok with this, right? Right.

Pumpkin Spice Bread ingredients — This Pumpkin Spice Bread is full of warmly scented seasonal spices.

Avocado Oil — This Pumpkin Spice Bread is full of warmly scented seasonal spices.

KEY INGREDIENTS for Pumpkin Spice Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Flour - I use Bob's Red Mill Organic APF but you could totally swap in Whole Wheat or even go Gluten Free with Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Gluten Free Baking Flour.
Baking Soda and Baking Powder - Since this recipe uses a lot of wet, heavy ingredients, I use a blend of both to help lift and lighten the load.
Pumpkin Spice - I use a mix of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice but you could sub in a pre-mixed Pumpkin Spice or use whatever flavors your favor.
Canned Pumpkin or Pumpkin Puree - Adds depth of flavor, color and moisture.
Neutral Oil - Secret weapon to a moist crumb. I use Avocado Oil but vegetable or canola, grapeseed, coconut or even a light olive oil work too.
Maple Syrup - Brings natural sweetness and also factors into that desirable moisture rich loaf. Plus it gives the cream cheese frosting a maple laced fall flavor.
Buttermilk - While there is only a bit, it adds a slight tang and the acid in the buttermilk activates the baking soda which helps the bread rise.
Granulated and Brown Sugar - I use a blend to add layers of flavor but you can absolutely use just one or the other.
Cream Cheese - This creamy smooth, maple infused frosting is the perfect compliment to the spicy bread.

Greased and sugared loaf pan — Prep the loaf pan by greasing it with about 1 TB of softened butter and coating it with a thin layer of granulated sugar to keep it from sticking to the pan. You could use flour but the sugar makes for a nice, barely sweet crust.

adding buttermilk — Prep the loaf pan by greasing it with about 1 TB of softened butter and coating it with a thin layer of granulated sugar to keep it from sticking to the pan. You could use flour but the sugar makes for a nice, barely sweet crust.

A thick slice of this Pumpkin Spice Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting stands up strongly against a piping hot mug of coffee for breakfast. And the sweet Maple Cream Cheese Frosting makes it a shoo-in for a rustic dessert. It also serves as a lovely late afternoon pick me up on those brisk, bone chilling November days. Having a loaf of Pumpkin Spice Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting around this time of year is like an instant heater upper. The warm spices work wonders on dreary days.

Make the Pumpkin Spice Bread ahead

I'll let you in on one last secret, you can bake this loaf Pumpkin Spice Bread now and freeze it until you're ready to serve. Just let it defrost on the counter. Reviving it in a warm oven for a few minutes will liven it back up. Then top it with the simple Maple Cream Cheese Frosting. Having this make ahead option is a solid plan.

sifting powdered sugar and cinnamon — When making the Maple Cream Cheese Frosting, first sift together the powdered sugar and cinnamon to work through any clumps.

Mixing Whisking butter and maple syrup for Maple Cream Cheese Frosting — When making the Maple Cream Cheese Frosting, first sift together the powdered sugar and cinnamon to work through any clumps.

I hope your fall days are filled with quick bread baking, comfy sweats and quiet moments. If you bake one thing this season, make it this Pumpkin Spice Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting. You'll be enjoying the best flavors of fall without working yourself silly.

This post was made is in partnership with Bob’s Red Mill. Follow Bob’s Red Mill on Instagram and Facebook or check out bobsredmill.com to shop their impressive lineup of flours, whole grains, seeds, and so much more.

Thank you for supporting me and the brands that I love!

Inverting Pumpkin Spice Bread — Once the Pumpkin Spice Bread has cooled in the pan for at least 15 - 20 mins, gently invert it in your hands to plop it out of the pan.

Pumpkin Spice Bread loaf cooling — Once the Pumpkin Spice Bread has cooled in the pan for at least 15 - 20 mins, gently invert it in your hands to plop it out of the pan.

Pumpkin Spice Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting loaf — If this Pumpkin Spice Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting doesn't make you want to stay home and bake, I don't know what will!

Slicing Pumpkin Spice Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting — The moment you slice into this Pumpkin Spice Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting loaf you can smell the spicy sweetness.

Sliced Pumpkin Spice Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting — The moment you slice into this Pumpkin Spice Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting loaf you can smell the spicy sweetness.

Slices of Pumpkin Spice Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting — Thick cut slices of Pumpkin Spice Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting is all I want to eat these days.

Slice of Pumpkin Spice Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting — Thick cut slices of Pumpkin Spice Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting is all I want to eat these days.

📖 Recipe

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