Pumpkin season has begun!

It's official; it's pumpkin season. From the first sighting of the Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins in September to the last day of November, this is my favorite baking (and eating) season.
pumpkin cream cheese ... a must-make for fall

pumpkin cream cheese ... a must-make for fall

I am a chocolate girl, but something about pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg...ooooo, it just makes me so happy!

Let me introduce you to my new love....Pumpkin Cream Cheese. For pumpkin lovers, THIS is how to start the day!
pumpkin cream cheese ... a must-make for fall | bakeat350.net

pumpkin cream cheese ... a must-make for fall | bakeat350.net

{I promise that little ♥-shape was an accident...the cream cheese loves me back apparently.}

Pumpkin Cream Cheese
(I found this idea at Gina's WW Recipes and adapted it b/c I didn't have agave or pumpkin pie spice.)

8 oz cream cheese, softened (1/3 less fat, ok)
1/2 c canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1 & 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger
1/8 tsp allspice
1/8 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla
4 TBSP brown sugar

Beat all ingredients together until smooth. Refrigerate.

The great news is that you can make this and enjoy it all week. You know....this has me thinking about Pumpkin Spice Diet Killers. Hmmm.....

{Oh, and Starbucks...in case you are listening...can we please have the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin year-round? Pretty, please?!?}

30 comments

SueSeptember 16, 2009 at 10:15 PM
I'm with you...I love all the spiciness of fall, and pumpkins are my favorite, in any form! Thanks for sharing!
JennySeptember 16, 2009 at 10:32 PM
Yum. Pumpkin. This sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing.
AnonymousSeptember 16, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Oh wow this looks amazing! I think it's adorable how that cute little heart showed up:)
MimiSeptember 16, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Anything fall is a ok with me. Pumpkins, apples, pears, cranberries ...
Mimi
CJSeptember 16, 2009 at 11:51 PM
I love pumpkin too. Must be time to add it to my oatmeal!
MonicaSeptember 17, 2009 at 2:37 AM
Yumm...this looks delicious. My first thought was that you did the heart on purpose...how funny that it "just happened".
MollySeptember 17, 2009 at 6:09 AM
Are you sure you didn't make that heart? This looks delicious. There is almost nothing better than a bagel with cream cheese!
cookies and cupsSeptember 17, 2009 at 6:43 AM
I Know! I had my first Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks last week, my fave! Up here it is already getting chillier and while I certainly enjoy the season s changing I do not know if I am ready for cold weather yet!!
TracySeptember 17, 2009 at 7:51 AM
I am totally with you - I LOVE pumpkin anything. This looks fabulous, I NEED to try it!!
oneordinarydaySeptember 17, 2009 at 8:15 AM
Oh, I'm wishing I had that to go with my morning coffee.
TidyMomSeptember 17, 2009 at 8:30 AM
Oh I'm ALL over this!! This sounds WONDERFUL!! I'm getting tired of my bagel with peanut butter or veggie cream cheese!!

Thanks!!
~TidyMom
MichaelaSeptember 17, 2009 at 8:35 AM
Yes!! this looks amazing thank you for posting it :) There is something special about pumpkin spice treats ;)
TidyMomSeptember 17, 2009 at 8:43 AM
what is agave? what did you use in it's place? I have pumpkin pie spice, so I'll be using that for the spices

~TidyMom
UnknownSeptember 17, 2009 at 8:46 AM
My local bagel shop has pumpkin bagels. OMG, they are good. A little pumpkin (or apple if no pumpkin) butter and I'm in heaven. Fall never tasted so good.
Smitten SugarSeptember 17, 2009 at 8:50 AM
Wow what a clever idea...gets you in the mood for fall! Except Im am not sure where I live we really have a "fall" Enjoy!!
bridget {bake at 350}September 17, 2009 at 9:09 AM
TidyMom...agave is a natural sweetener. I've never used it; I pretty much stick to good ol' sugar. ;)

If you substitute pumpkin pie spice, add in 1 tsp cinnamon and use 1 tsp pie spice.
Ingrid_3BsSeptember 17, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Bridget it must love you back...why else the heart? :) I made this last year and it is DELISH. Thanks for reminding me it's time to make some more!
~ingrid
Trac~September 17, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Ohhhh... I LOVE LOVE LOVE pumpkin ANYTHING so this will be a GREAT fall recipe for my "free" bagels at work! Woo hoo - thanks for sharing! :o)
JessicaSeptember 17, 2009 at 10:48 AM
This looks fantastic! I'm going to have to make some ASAP.
La PixieSeptember 17, 2009 at 11:30 AM
I always thought that I liked pumpkin, but a few years ago I went to the Pumpkin Farm here in AZ and discovered that I LOVE pumpkin!!! thanks for this, I cant wait to try it.
LorieSeptember 17, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Putting pumpkin on my grocery list.
Berji's domainSeptember 17, 2009 at 2:00 PM
looks good :)
UnknownSeptember 17, 2009 at 3:59 PM
I just bookmarked this. It looks delicious. I actually think I may bake some pumpkin bread and make this cream cheese to spread on it. Yum!
UnknownSeptember 22, 2009 at 8:47 AM
My comment disappeared as I was typing it. If just went to be approved, sorry. Just in case, a repeat.

I had said something about pumpkin cream cheese making part of a good pairing. It sounds delicious.
JelliSeptember 22, 2009 at 12:17 PM
I've bookmarked a recipe I'd love to share with you. I haven't actually made it yet, but it has great reviews and is lower calorie. Pumpkin butter http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pumpkin-butter/detail.aspx
bridget {bake at 350}September 22, 2009 at 1:27 PM
Jelli Bean...

That sounds great! Thank you for passing along the recipe!
adozeneggsSeptember 24, 2009 at 8:46 PM
I'm a huge fan of the pumpkin.
This year I've decided to roast and puree my own instead of canned.
I'm roasting a bunch tomorrow and I'm going to make this for company this weekend. Very exciting!!
AlisaOctober 26, 2010 at 11:29 AM
I know you posted this last year, but I just found it so I had to feature it on my blog today. Stop by if you like :)

Blessing~
Alisa
SharaMarch 20, 2011 at 11:55 PM
Delicious Pumpkin!Can't wait to make one!
Mike DenforthJuly 26, 2012 at 1:40 PM
Tried making this before but couldn't get the food texture quite right. This recipe worked perfect, thanks!