We’re entering the season where I stop making “real” food and do nothing but bake for two months. That might sound like an exaggeration, but it’s pretty much not. If it’s cold outside, I want something warm, fluffy and comforting – the only exception might be spicy food, how can THAT not make you warm!
When I posted the apple braid last week, I heard several comments about how great it would be with Thanksgiving. I thought it was a little funny, because I had actually made this pumpkin braid first and thought the whole time about how I’d want this for Thanksgiving breakfast. Make it ahead and it’s ready for nomming while you’re mashing, whisking, and basting.
The pumpkin mixture is very lightly sweetened. Normally, a braid like this would have a sweet fruit and less a sweet cream cheese, but I like it to be opposite. Especially when pumpkin is involved, because too much sugar can mask its great flavors. If you’re feeling super lazy, you could always use pumpkin butter for the filling.
Mix the cream cheese, 3 tbsp sugar, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine the pumpkin, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice.
Spritz a baking sheet with nonstick spray and roll the dough out into a 12 x 8” rectangle. Spread the cream cheese down the middle (the long way) and top with the pumpkin – you may need to dollop it on top and then spread.
On either side of the filling, cut the dough into 1” strips, perpendicular to the filling.
Alternating sides, pull the strips over the filling at a slight angle, creating a braid appearance.
Brush the top of the braid with the 1 tbsp of milk and sprinkle with 1 tbsp sugar.
Bake for 25 – 30 minutes until the edges of the bread is browned and the dough is cooked through.
Let the braid cool completely. Meanwhile, mix the powdered sugar, vanilla, and remaining almond milk to form an icing, using additional milk if you prefer a thinner icing. Drizzle the icing over the braid and serve.
Notes
Nutritional estimate uses the same pizza dough as the taco pizza (linked in the ingredients). Use vegan cream cheese for a vegan and dairy free braid. If you’re looking for a little crunch, toast up pecans and sprinkle on top while the icing is still wet.
You and me both, sista! I dread doing anything outside in the cold so that is when I get creative in the kitchen #twss 😉 This bread looks amazing and I think you need to make a trek to Chicago right now to bring some to me!
Wow, this looks amazing! I love pumpkin and cream cheese together. I actually made a vegan pumpkin cheesecake pie and it was really good the day I made it but the next day the texture got really weird. Sigh…I have had terrible luck with desserts lately.
[…] Hidden Fruits & Veggies – Pumpkin Cream Cheese Braid […]
[…] Hidden Fruits & Veggies – Pumpkin Cream Cheese Braid […]
OK, seriously?! This looks amazing, and so perfect for the holidays. Your photos are gorgeous and making me so hungry!
My husband doesn’t love pumpkin as much as me but I think I can talk him into the pumpkin way with this cheese braid! YUM!
Love the rag you used for your background <3 so pretty! And this looks divine 🙂
it looks yummy!
You and me both, sista! I dread doing anything outside in the cold so that is when I get creative in the kitchen #twss 😉 This bread looks amazing and I think you need to make a trek to Chicago right now to bring some to me!
Haaa! Maybe when I’m back from Florida and Jamaica and need cold/windy weather to make me really appreciate Michigan.
Wow, this looks amazing! I love pumpkin and cream cheese together. I actually made a vegan pumpkin cheesecake pie and it was really good the day I made it but the next day the texture got really weird. Sigh…I have had terrible luck with desserts lately.
🙁 That happens to me with healthy desserts sometimes, too. This kept nicely in the fridge
This braid is the perfect wake up treat for thanksgiving.
Can I just eat this whole braid instead of an actual Thanskgiving meal?! Because that would make me so happy.
Ha! I’m actually tempted to do that this year.
YUM YUM YUM!!! Looks perfect for Thanksgiving for sure! =)
Wow this looks amazing! You are crazy talented!!
It comes together so easily! No real talent required 😉