For some people the cooler temperatures bring on sad feelings of saying good-bye to the summer sun. For me, it brings warm thoughts of sitting around the fireplace with family and friendly and pumpkin flavors for Fall. Yes, I’m one of those pumpkin latte lovers as well but I refuse to stockpile pumpkin products to eat all year round. I save my pumpkin indulgence all year and live 9 months for 3. Trader Joe’s never disappoints when it comes to their selection of pumpkin goodies. If fact, they seem to always manage to bring back our fall favorites while adding some new delights as well.
One fall product I look forward to and hope they continue to bring back each year is their Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread. More of a Philadelphia style cream cheese than a whipped Temptee, this light and easily spreadable cream cheese combines the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Unlike many seasonal pumpkin products that have pumpkin in the name but lack true pumpkin flavor, the pumpkin cream cheese is pure pumpkin bliss. In fact, I challenge you to resist eating this cream cheese with a spoon right out of the container.
If you ever spot me in a supermarket looking at new products you’ll find me gazing over all the labels. My mantra is “less is more” when it comes to food. The more wholesome and “real” ingredients and less preservatives the better.
I absolutely loved how pumpkin is the 2nd listed ingredient (out of a total of 8 ingredients) making the flavor really stand out along with the sweet cinnamon spice. While I already mentioned that the consistency is like Philadelphia style cream cheese, it’s a bit softer and creamier than that. This makes it great for dipping too.
This morning I spread a generous layer on a freshy toasted English muffin. It filled all the nooks and crannies and added a flavor reminiscent of a pumpkin pie. Paired with a warm cup of Trader Joes Organic French Roast coffee I took one bite and couldn’t resist finishing it. The hints of cinnamon sugar and pumpkin give it just the right amount of sweetness to take your English muffin or bagel from a 5 to a 10.
Here are some other Trader Joe’s favorites that pair well with the pumpkin cream cheese.
- Pumpkin cranberry crisps
- Pumpkin Brioche Bread
- Pumpkin Waffle
- Ginger Thin Cookies
- Cinnamon and Sugar Pita Chips
- Cinnamon Graham Crackers
- Fresh Fruit
- Honey Wheat Braided Pretzels
This pumpkin cream cheese spread is such a popular product at our local Trader Joe’s that they have trouble keeping it in stock. I’ve been on the waitlist several times and pick one up when they get restocked.
It’s now October 11th and they’re officially out of the pumpkin cream cheese spread at my local Trader Joe’s. If you’re craving the pumpkin cream cheese flavor and can’t find it at your local TJ’s here two recipes you can count on to make this semi-sweet delight from scratch at home.
We’ve made this copycat pumpkin cream cheese recipe from Caligirl cooking and a homemade version of the pumpkin spice cream cheese recipe from Laurens latest which were both delicious. Enjoy!
