I’m finally admitting that it’s pumpkin season around here. The weather is cooling down (yay!), Halloween is just around the corner, and I can’t pretend that it’s still summer anymore. This cream cheese pumpkin dip is just one of a handful of brand new pumpkin recipes I’ll be sharing this year. I’ve already shared pumpkin chocolate chip blondies and pumpkin oatmeal cookies with lots more pumpkin to come! Okay so let’s talk about this dip. I first started making this over ten years ago when we did an iron chef competition with pumpkin as the secret ingredient. I served it in a pumpkin back then to be cute, but I think it’s probably better served just in a bowl or chip and dip container unless you really want to clean out a pumpkin. I don’t, or at least not more than I have to. I won that iron chef competition, even beat out this delicious pumpkin crunch cake.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Super easy – this recipe is literally just six ingredients that are mixed together and served. It doesn’t get easier than that!Creamy – two of those ingredients – cream cheese and pumpkin – are both naturally creamy, which gives this dip a super creamy texture, kind of like this spinach artichoke dip! Great to make ahead – not only is this a recipe that is still good the day after you make it, it’s almost better after you’ve given the ingredients a little time to co-mingle overnight! Perfect for Thanksgiving or a Halloween party!
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
Orange juice – the recipe calls for orange juice concentrate (remember I’ve been making this for 10+ years!) but you could also substitute this for just regular orange juice. Start by adding 1 tsp of orange juice and mix it in. If you want it a bit thinner, add another 1 tsp orange juice at a time. Pumpkin – make sure you’re using pure pumpkin (also called pumpkin puree), not pumpkin pie filling. Cream cheese – your cream cheese needs to be super soft to make this dip so make sure to take it out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before making the dip. If it’s still cold, you’ll end up with chunks of cream cheese in the dip – not what you want!
How to Make Pumpkin Dip
One of the things I love most about dip recipes and why I serve them so often is because they’re so simple to make! This cream cheese pumpkin dip is no different. Start by mixing your softened cream cheese and sugar together in a bowl. You can do this with a fork if you want, but I highly recommend doing it either in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer instead so you can get it really smooth. Once that’s smooth, gradually add in the pumpkin, mixing the entire time. Mix until the mixture is well combined, so you can’t see any distinct pumpkin or cream cheese streaks. Using a spoon, stir in the cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and the orange juice concentrate until the spices are mixed throughout the pumpkin dip. This will give the dip its nice spiced flavor! Chill the dip until you’re ready to serve then serve with any sort of cookies (these soft molasses cookies would be great), pretzels, graham crackers, and fruit!
Expert Tips
Store the dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. After five days, throw the pumpkin dip away. Make the dip ahead of time and chill overnight for the best flavors.
More Easy Dips
If you like this pumpkin dip, you’ll love these other delicious dip recipes!
Layered taco dip – a taco dip that’s nothing like the seven layer dips you’ve probably had before, it’s better!Cream cheese caramel apple dip – this sweet dip uses just four ingredients and is the perfect way to dip your apples!Brownie batter dip – a chocolate dip that’s made with brownie mix and tastes just like the inside of a brownie!Cream cheese fruit dip – a sweet, creamy, and delicious dip that’s perfect served with any sort of fresh fruit!Easy fruit salsa – a delicious salsa type dip made with all sorts of fruit and served with homemade cinnamon chips!
