Fall is officially here, and people are celebrating the season the best way they know how – with everything pumpkin spiced. Yes, everything. If it could be pumpkin spiced, we would find a way to pumpkin spice it. One such mixture? Philadelphia Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Sauce. (Pumpkin spice skepticism will not be tolerated. This is the joy of fall we deserve.)
As the name suggests, this spread combines cream cheese with fall spices like pumpkin concentrate, brown sugar, and cinnamon. As you might expect, it can be used just like regular pumpkin spice-free cream cheese: spread on toast, on bagels, and on crackers. But why limit yourself? Adding pumpkin spice opens up a world of sweet pumpkin spice.
This pumpkin spice cream cheese can be added to desserts, snacks, or even a brunch favorite. There's little you can't do with pumpkin spice cream cheese, except maybe adding it to more savory dishes. (Maybe it would work well in pumpkin soup, though? Everyone has their own pumpkin spice.)
Next time you're craving a fall treat, use this pumpkin spice cream cheese spread as a starting point. No matter where you land, there will be beautiful fall. Here are seven ways to use pumpkin spice cream cheese. Please use pumpkin spice responsibly.
Pumpkin Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies
If you're looking for an easy snack that you can make quickly, Kraft Heinz has a recipe for Pumpkin Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies. All you need is four gingerbread pieces (about 2 inches each) and, of course, Philadelphia's pumpkin spice cream cheese. Take two gingerbread cookies, place them face down on a plate, spread about 2 tablespoons pumpkin spice cream cheese on both cookies, then place the other two cookies on top. Look! You just whipped up a fall snack faster than you can say "pumpkin spice cream cheese sauce."
Ginger Pumpkin Spice Cookie Balls
Ginger and pumpkin go together like fall and cardigans. Kraft’s Ginger Pumpkin Spice Cookie Balls recipe is a great recipe to ease you into the world of ginger and pumpkin spice. In addition to the pumpkin spice cream cheese sauce, you'll also need crushed gingersnap cookies, semisweet chocolate, and powdered sugar of your choice. All you need to do is mix the cream cheese sauce with gingerbread crumbs. Shape the mixture into a ball and place in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes. Once they are set, dip them in melted chocolate and top with sprinkles. Check out the full recipe on Kraft's website.
Mini PSL Cheesecake
When you enter the world of pumpkin spice cream cheese, the obvious next step is cheesecake. You can choose a traditional pumpkin spice cheesecake or a simplified no-bake pumpkin spice cheesecake — Kraft has recipes for both. But if you really want to up your fall dessert game, this Mini Pumpkin Spice Latte Cheesecake recipe is what you're looking for. It projects cookies, coffee, and pumpkin into a PSL you can eat. While the original recipe calls for regular cream cheese, you can add pumpkin spice cream cheese to really amp up the pumpkin spice. See the full recipe on Kraft's website.
French Toast Waffles
Just as brunch combines breakfast and lunch, this recipe combines two morning classics: French toast and waffles. Kraft's French Toast Muffins can be easily pumpkin spiced by using pumpkin spice cream cheese sauce instead of brown sugar and cinnamon cream cheese sauce. You can also use pumpkin spice instead of just cinnamon. Your taste buds will thank you.
Layered Pumpkin Bread
Nothing says "fall" like pumpkin bread. Instead of your regular pumpkin bread recipe — or relying on your Starbucks drive-thru — try this layered pumpkin bread. It combines traditional pumpkin bread with a layer of cream cheese for an extra decadent dessert. While the recipe calls for Neuchâtel cheese (which differs from cream cheese only in fat and moisture content), you can just as easily use pumpkin spice cream cheese sauce. Hang out, my little pumpkin lovers.
Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Sauce
A slightly modified cheesecake sauce recipe from grocery store Kroger using pumpkin spice cream cheese sauce. Add some cinnamon, nutmeg, and/or pumpkin spice seasoning to really enhance the pumpkin spice flavor. Serve with Nilla wafers, strawberries, graham crackers, a tablespoon and more!
Pumpkin Spice Frosting
Top any dessert with pumpkin cream cheese frosting to make it a fall dessert. Grocery chain Hy-vee's recipe can be easily adapted to use pumpkin spice cream cheese sauce instead of regular cream cheese. Sprinkle on some pumpkin spice spice, say a brief prayer to all the unfrosted desserts around you, and let your stomach guide you.
While you might not find many recipes that specifically call for pumpkin spice cream cheese, you can always substitute it for any dessert that calls for regular cream cheese. Get creative! Go on an adventure! Get as much pumpkin spice into your stomach as possible.
