24 Recipes That Prove Pumpkin and Cream Cheese Are the Best Fall Combo (2024)

Home Recipes Ingredients Vegetables Pumpkins

24 Recipes That Prove Pumpkin and Cream Cheese Are the Best Fall Combo (1)Lisa KaminskiUpdated: Feb. 28, 2024

    Cozy up to recipes with pumpkin and cream cheese—the perfect fall duo. We love this combo in bars, pies, cookies and cakes.

    1/23

    Pumpkin Spice Cake

    We sometimes call this pumpkin spice cake “Thanksgiving Cake” because it’s a tasty alternative to pie, but we don’t relegate it to just that holiday. I think you’ll agree it’s delicious any time of the year. —Kathy Rhoads, Circleville, Ohio

    Go to Recipe

    2/23

    Contest-Winning Pumpkin Cheesecake Dessert

    With its gingersnap crust and maple syrup drizzle, this rich and creamy spiced pumpkin dessert never fails to get rave reviews. It cuts nicely, too. —Cathy Hall, Phoenix, Arizona

    Go to Recipe

    3/23

    Taste of Home

    Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie

    If you’re looking for a classic autumn dessert, try this pumpkiny cheesecake pie. It’s a winner at potlucks and on the Thanksgiving table. The gingersnap crust forms a spicy-sweet foundation. —Sharon Crockett, La Palma, California

    Go to Recipe

    4/23

    Pumpkin Cheesecake

    When I was young we produced several ingredients for this pumpkin cheesecake on the farm. We raised pumpkins in our large vegetable garden, and made homemade butter and lots of sour cream using milk from our dairy herd. —Evonne Wurmnest, Normal, Illinois

    Go to Recipe

    5/23

    Pumpkin Cream Tiramisu

    Pumpkin isn’t only for pies. Now you can take the classic fall vegetable and enjoy it in a tiramisu-style dessert. I promise after one bite, you’ll add this recipe to keeper files. —Pam Peters, Fernie, British Columbia

    6/23

    Taste of Home

    Miniature Pumpkin Cake Towers

    I make these pumpkin treats every autumn and they are gone in minutes. The spice combination is perfect for fall, and it is all wrapped up in a pretty little cake.—Deb Lyon, Bangor, Pennsylvania

    Go to Recipe

    7/23

    8/23

    9/23

    Taste of Home

    Pecan Pumpkin Dessert

    I always make this treat for Thanksgiving. A friend gave me the recipe, and I've since shared it with many others. —Sue Williams, Mount Holly, North Carolina

    Go to Recipe

    10/23

    Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

    These easy pumpkin cookies are pleasantly spiced. Everyone enjoys the soft, cake-like texture, too. —Lisa Chernetsky, Luzerne, Pennsylvania

    Go to Recipe

    11/23

    Pumpkin Cheesecake

    When I was young we produced several ingredients for this pumpkin cheesecake on the farm. We raised pumpkins in our large vegetable garden, and made homemade butter and lots of sour cream using milk from our dairy herd. —Evonne Wurmnest, Normal, Illinois

    Go to Recipe

    12/23

    Taste of Home

    Pumpkin Rugelach with Cream Cheese Icing

    13/23

    Mini Pumpkin Spice Trifles

    These miniature trifles are so fun for fall holiday parties! The assembly takes a little longer than making one big trifle, but it's worth it to see everyone's reaction to getting their own! —Rhiannon Brownell, Newport News, Virginia

    Go to Recipe

    14/23

    Favorite Pumpkin Cake Roll

    This pumpkin roll recipe is great to keep in the freezer for a quick dessert for my family or unexpected guests, to take to a gathering, or to give as a yummy gift. —Erica Berchtold, Freeport, Illinois

    Go to Recipe

    15/23

    16/23

    Taste of Home

    Paul's Pumpkin Patch Pudding

    This recipe originated with Donna Esh, whose husband, John, is the manager at the restaurant my brother Jim and I operate. I reworked it slightly and named it after our dad.—John Smucker, Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania

    Go to Recipe

    17/23

    Pumpkin Swirl Bread

    This combination of pumpkin, nuts and dates makes a delicious, golden pumpkin cream cheese bread. The surprise inside—a rich creamy swirl—is like a luscious layer of cheesecake in each slice. —Cindy May, Troy, Michigan

    Go to Recipe

    18/23

    Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

    Enjoy this holiday dessert without worrying about calories. Plus it is so luscious that no one will guess that it is light! —Jean Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin

    Go to Recipe

    19/23

    Taste of Home

    Surprise Pumpkin Cupcakes

    Go to Recipe

    20/23

    Pumpkin Dessert Bars

    Put a twist on traditional pumpkin pie with this recipe. It packs the spicy pumpkin flavor you love, but in a new crowd-sized form. —Tena Huckleby, Greeneville, Tennessee

    Go to Recipe

    21/23

    Taste of Home

    Pumpkin Mousse Trifle

    You can speed up this recipe by using a store-bought pound cake or baking and freezing one ahead of time. The sugared pecans can also be prepared in advance and stored in an airtight container.—Becky McClaflin, Blanchard, Oklahoma

    Go to Recipe

    22/23

    Pumpkin Eggnog Rolls

    I needed to use up some eggnog, so I swapped it for milk in my sweet rollrecipe. Even people who usually don’t go for eggnog go back for seconds of these yummy frosted treats. —Rebecca Soske, Douglas, Wyoming

    Go to Recipe

    23/23

    Pumpkin Cheesecake

    When I was young we produced several ingredients for this pumpkin cheesecake on the farm. We raised pumpkins in our large vegetable garden, and made homemade butter and lots of sour cream using milk from our dairy herd. —Evonne Wurmnest, Normal, Illinois

    Go to Recipe

    Originally Published: September 22, 2020

    24 Recipes That Prove Pumpkin and Cream Cheese Are the Best Fall Combo (21)

    Lisa Kaminski

    Lisa is a formerTaste of Home editor and passionate baker. During her tenure, she poured her love of all things sweet (and sometimes savory) into Bakeable, Taste of Home's baking club. Lisa also dedicated her career here to finding and testing the best ingredients, kitchen gear and home products for our Test Kitchen-Preferred program. At home, you'll find her working on embroidery and other crafts.

    24 Recipes That Prove Pumpkin and Cream Cheese Are the Best Fall Combo (2024)

    FAQs

    What cheese pairs well with pumpkin? ›

    Blue cheeses like gorgonzola team up well with the notes of dried fruit typical of pumpkin. Another excellent pairing is with a nice fresh goat's cheese since its acidulous notes offset the sweetness of pumpkin.

    What flavor pairs best with pumpkin? ›

    To complement pumpkin with sweet flavor pairings, consider using spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice and vanilla, or sweet ingredients like chocolate, maple, honey, cranberries or brown sugar. Create savory dishes by pairing pumpkin with spices like chilies, cajun, cayenne or pepper.

    What is good to mix with cream cheese? ›

    Mix with honey and lemon for a tangy fruit dip

    This easy and delicious dip is the perfect way to enjoy sweet and tangy flavors. Combine cream cheese, honey, and lemon juice to create a creamy dip that's perfect for dipping fruit. Enjoy this simple yet tasty dish for a snack or even an elegant dessert.

    What is healthy to eat with cream cheese? ›

    Tips for Consuming Cream Cheese

    Here are some ways to incorporate cream cheese into a healthy diet: Spread cream cheese on whole grain bread at breakfast, topped with bagel seasoning and veggies, such as sliced tomato, cucumber, red onion, and spinach.

    What meat goes best with pumpkin? ›

    Fresh or canned pumpkin would taste good with meat proteins.
    1. Beef.
    2. Shrimp.
    3. Pork chops.
    4. Lobster.
    5. Crab.
    6. Chicken breast.
    7. Rabbit.
    8. Turkey (turkey legs)
    Jun 17, 2022

    What is the difference between a fairytale pumpkin and a cheese pumpkin? ›

    Its flesh is orange-yellow. It is sometimes categorized as a "cheese pumpkin," but this has nothing to do with its flavor. Rather, the term refers to any pumpkins whose flat shape somewhat resembles wheels of cheese. Fairytale pumpkins also go by the names Musquée de Provence, Moscata di Provenza, and Castilla squash.

    What seasonings go well with pumpkin? ›

    Pumpkin is notorious for pairing well with warm winter spices – as found in a variety of Moroccan-inspired cuisines. Try incorporating cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cumin and chilli with your pumpkin dishes for flavour-packed feasts.

    What brings out the flavor of pumpkin? ›

    Raw pumpkin is mostly water — up to 90%! — so it really doesn't have much flavor. In fact, the flavor that we usually think of as “pumpkin” is actually pumpkin pie spice, a blend of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

    What makes pumpkin taste better? ›

    Cook It on the Stove

    Briefly cooking your canned pumpkin purée on the stove can help improve both the flavor and texture. This method helps reduce excess moisture, which gives the pumpkin a superior texture. It also releases the natural pumpkin flavor and helps reduce the metallic taste from the can.

    When not to use cream cheese? ›

    Cream cheese should not be left out longer than two hours at room temp (or higher than 40 degrees F) because it then becomes a playground for nasty bacteria like salmonella. No one wants a trip to the emergency room over the carrot cake. If it's been out for longer than two hours, toss it—better safe than sorry.

    How do you make cream cheese mix better? ›

    Cut your block into cubes

    Cutting up your cream cheese creates more exposed surface area, allowing warm room-temperature air to break down the cold molecules faster. This also will make it easier to distribute your softened cream cheese evenly throughout whatever you're mixing it into.

    What cheese compliments cream cheese? ›

    Grated sharp cheddar cheese peppers up that cream cheese base with its nuttiness. Plus, it's hard not to like cheddar, so your resulting cheese ball is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. A coating of crispy bacon makes a nice partner.

    What else can you eat cream cheese with? ›

    What to Eat With Cream Cheese (Beyond Bagels) and Yummy Recipes to Try
    • Make a Super-Easy Appetizer.
    • Thicken Up Pimento Cheese.
    • Spread on Sandwiches.
    • Top a Pizza.
    • Add a Surprise to Cupcakes.
    • Make Next-Level Homemade Ice Cream.
    • Replace Eggs in (Some) Baking.
    • Enhance a Pot of Grits.
    Aug 20, 2022

    What is cheese pumpkin good for? ›

    All pumpkins are known for containing a significant source of beta carotene which contains anti-oxidants, and benefits your eyes and skin. They also contain more than ¼ of the recommended daily amount of vitamin A and tons of potassium. This pumpkin also has zero cholesterol and hardly any source of fat.

    What do you eat with Trader Joe's pumpkin spread? ›

    We would suggest you do like the Portuguese do and pair it with a full-flavored cheese, like our Dried Fruit Goat Log or our Cheddar with Scotch Bonnet Chilis, if you're feeling really bold. It also goes well on a sandwich with our Spicy Uncured Charcuterie Selection.

    What food goes well with pumpkin pie? ›

    What to pair with pumpkin pie? Well, coffee, duh! Coffee and pumpkin pie, and a tiny slice of apple, and an even teeny-tinier slice of French silk. That's what goes with pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving.

    References

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Pres. Carey Rath

    Last Updated:

    Views: 5826

    Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

    Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Pres. Carey Rath

    Birthday: 1997-03-06

    Address: 14955 Ledner Trail, East Rodrickfort, NE 85127-8369

    Phone: +18682428114917

    Job: National Technology Representative

    Hobby: Sand art, Drama, Web surfing, Cycling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Leather crafting, Creative writing

    Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.