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I don’t know about you guys, but this time of year is when my schedule seems to get super packed. The universe just seems to sense the minute Halloween is over and the “holidays” come rolling in full steam ahead. Lots of family, friend, and work gatherings that are jam packed into a very busy two months.
It also seems like the same two months when I do more baking than any other time of the year! Not gonna lie…baking up festive holiday treats does get me into the holiday spirit, but it can also take A LOT of time to do, and depending on your gift list, can be a daunting task.
I know that making things “from scratch” is the preferred way to go, but guess what? It’s 2015 and most of us have lives to live besides slaving away in the kitchen. I am a huge believer in the semi-homemade method of baking and cooking and if I can make something easier on myself, I’m all for it. Especially if that way saves time and doesn’t sacrifice on taste!
Today’s recipe for semi-homemade mini pumpkin cream cheese bread, is definitely going to accomplish both of those things!
This Thanksgiving, I’m planning to make the rounds with not only family, but at a few different “Friendsgivings” too. If you’ve ever hosted an event at your home, you know just how much work can go into planning and putting one together, so I try to come prepared with a small host or hostess gift in tow.
I recently stopped into my local Walmart store and knew exactly what I was going to make when I saw the NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Pumpkin Bread Kit! This kit comes with everything you’d need to make the perfect pumpkin loaves, but I knew I wanted to jazz them up just a bit and put my own “homemade” spin on mini pumpkin cream cheese loaves to pass out as gifts this season!
These little babies are baked in mini loaf pans, have a yummy cream cheese mousse topping baked right in, and are topped with a sweet pumpkin glaze. Sounds pretty tasty, right?
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own:
- 1 NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Pumpkin Bread Kit
- 1 Bottle of NESTLÉ® COFFEE-MATE® Pumpkin Spice Liquid Coffee Creamer
- 1 Can of LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin (comes in your bread kit)
- 1 Package of Icing (comes in your bread kit)
- 1 – 8 oz. Package of Softened Cream Cheese
- 2 Eggs
- 2/3 Cup of White Sugar
First, prepare your pumpkin bread, as directed on the back of the pumpkin bread kit box. When mixing in your pumpkin, set 1 tablespoon aside to use for your glaze. Place your pumpkin bread mixture into your loaves, filling a little over halfway full.
(The great thing about making mini loaves, is that you can make so many more loaves with just one kit. This kit will make 2 full sized loaves or 6 mini loaves, which are the PERFECT size for gifting!)
Before placing your loaves into the oven, we’re going to add our cream cheese mousse!
In a bowl, mix your cream cheese, white sugar, eggs, and add 2 tablespoons of your pumpkin creamer. Mix well until blended. (If you can’t get your cream cheese to break down completely, don’t waste too much time and energy on it. The cream cheese will melt as the bread is baking!)
Spoon a layer of your cream cheese mousse over the top of your pumpkin bread mixture and swirl into the top using a knife or a wooden dowel.
Once mixed, bake according to the directions on the back of your pumpkin bread kit box.
Once baked, allow to cool in the mini loaf pans for about 10 minutes, before removing and allowing to cool on a wire baking rack. That cream cheese mousse bakes right into the top of the bread and adds a pretty little white layer to the top of the bread!
While your bread is cooling, we’ll mix up our pumpkin glaze. Using the icing packet from the pumpkin bread kit, combine with the 1 tablespoon of pumpkin you set aside from earlier, and 1 teaspoon of pumpkin creamer. Mix well.
Pour over the tops of your cooled loaves before serving.
The only thing left to do is slice, serve, and enjoy!
If you plan to give your mini loaves out as thank you gifts this season, you can easily wrap the loaves in kraft paper, parchment paper, or pretty tissue paper and attaching a simple little thank you tag with twine!
These mini pumpkin cream cheese loaves are so easy to make and are such a time saver! I bet that no one will complain that they are not completely handmade either 😉
Be sure to check out more delicious recipes on the Flavorful Moments Pinterest board and let me know what you guys are planning to bake up during this busy (and yummy!) holiday season!
Photography by Haley Nord Photography
