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Baked Pumpkin Loaf with Light Orange Cream Cheese Glaze cooled on rack.
Bakebit

Pumpkin Loaf with Light Orange Cream Cheese Glaze

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pumpkin Loaf
  • Dry Ingredients
  • 1½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp ginger
  • Wet Ingredients
  • ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 100 g light brown sugar
  • 35 g granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • ¾ cup (180 g) pumpkin puree
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp milk or cream
Orange Cream Cheese Glaze
  • 2 oz (about ¼ cup) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp fresh orange juice
  • ½ tsp orange zest
  • ½ tsp butter melted (optional, for richness)
  • Pinch of salt to balance the sweetness

Equipment

  • 1 standard 9×5-inch loaf

Method
 

Pumpkin Loaf
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients until combined.
    Dry Ingredients used for Pumpkin Loaf sitting on wooden counter.
  3. In another bowl, whisk the melted butter and sugars until smooth.
    Wet Ingredients used for Pumpkin Loaf sitting on wooden counter.
  4. Add eggs, one at a time, then stir in pumpkin puree, vanilla, and milk.
  5. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
  6. Pour batter into loaf pan and smooth the top.
  7. Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool completely before glazing.
  9. Orange Cream Cheese Glaze Instructions
  10. In a small bowl, whisk softened cream cheese and melted butter (if using) until smooth.
  11. Add powdered sugar and stir until fully combined.
  12. Mix in orange juice and zest until the glaze is glossy and pourable.
    Mix in orange juice and orange zest with other ingredients in a glass bowl sitting on a wooding counter.
  13. If it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.
  14. If it’s too thick, add a few drops of orange juice or milk.
  15. Drizzle over your cooled pumpkin loaf, it will set slightly as it sits.

Notes

This glaze gives you actual orange flavor from the juice, not just zest. So, you’ll get that citrus pop you’re craving without it overpowering the pumpkin.