EV’s Take: A Pumpkin-Spiced Dream Come True
I must admit that I was not usually one to jump on the annual pumpkin spice craze. Over recent years, I’ve found myself warming up to fall flavors and indulging in all things pumpkin spice as soon as September hits.
Since we’re big fans of Kite Hill on Exploring Vegan, I knew I had to snag their Pumpkin Pie Cream Cheese, and I am glad I did! This stuff is dangerously delicious, and I am just so impressed with everything about it, from the flavor to the texture to the fact that it holds up exceptionally well to heat.
This cream cheese relies on Kite Hill’s signature almond-based milk formula, which you may remember received glowing reviews in our Kite Hill Ricotta Cheese review. The result? A lusciously creamy cream cheese that is the perfect balance of sweetness and spice that would impress vegans and non-vegans alike.
Whether you’re looking to transform your daily bagel into a celebration of fall flavors or you want to upgrade your overnight oats with a creamy, dreamy finish, or you’re just looking for a plant-based cream cheese to add to baked treats this autumn, you need to grab a container of Kite Hill Pumpkin Pie Cream Cheese.
Kite Hill Pumpkin Pie Cream Cheese Ingredients
I was very impressed with Kite Hill’s Pumpkin Pie Cream Cheese’s nutrition and ingredients. I tasted it before I looked at the nutrition, and it tasted so good that I expected it to be very calorically dense with lots of sugar. While I realize everyone has different nutritional goals, I can feel great about enjoying Kite Hill’s Pumpkin Pie Cream Cheese on a bagel or mixed into my overnight oats. It’s not overly decadent, nor is it overly laden with sugar.
Here are the ingredients in Kite Hill Pumpkin Pie Cream Cheese:
Almond Milk (Water, Almonds), Pumpkin, Sugar, Salt, Spices, Natural Flavors, Enzyme, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Mushroom Extract (to help preserve freshness), Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Cultures.
Kite Hill Pumpkin Pie Cream Cheese Nutrition:
| Serving Size | 2 tablespoons (33g) |
| Calories | 60 |
| Total Fat | 4g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 160mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 7g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Total Sugars | 5g |
| Protein | 2g |
Kite Hill Pumpkin Pie Cream Cheese vs. Dairy-Based Cream Cheese
How does Kite Hill compare to dairy-based cream cheese? It has fewer calories, less fat, no cholesterol, and more protein and fiber, which is a nice win! However, it contains a bit more sodium than Philadelphia’s pumpkin-spiced cream cheese spread.
Below, we’ll break down the differences based on a standard 2 tablespoon serving size.
| Kite Hill Pumpkin Pie Cream Cheese | Philadelphia Pumpkin Cream Cheese |
| Calories: 60 | Calories: 80 |
| Total Fat: 4g | Total Fat: 6g |
| Saturated Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 3.5g |
| Trans Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 0g |
| Cholesterol: 0mg | Cholesterol: 15mg |
| Sodium: 160mg | Sodium: 100mg |
| Total Carbohydrates: 7g | Total Carbohydrates: 6g |
| Dietary Fiber: 1g | Dietary Fiber: 0g |
| Total Sugars: 5g | Total Sugars: 5g |
| Protein: 2g | Protein: 1g |
How did EV eat Kite Hill Pumpkin Pie Cream Cheese?
Aside from eating it straight from the jar while staring off to space in front of my refrigerator like a little pumpkin gremlin, you mean? It is so good that you’ll want to sneak a bite or three straight from the tub.
I’ve been using it in other ways, too!
Bagels
First, I had to make a fall bagel. I simply toasted a store-bought bagel and smeared the cream cheese on top. From my review of Nature’s Fynd Cream Cheese, I was disappointed that it couldn’t withstand the heat of an extra toasty bagel. I had no such problem with Kite Hill’s cream cheese! It held up beautifully against the heat of my bagel and didn’t melt at all. It maintained its thick, creamy texture with no oozing or melting whatsoever. I topped mine with crushed pecans and added an extra shake of pumpkin pie spice. I was in breakfast heaven.
Overnight Oats
I made a batch of pumpkin cheesecake overnight oats that were just divine. For the oats, I used Nut Pods Pumpkin Spice Creamer in addition to oat milk, canned pumpkin, pecans, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and more pumpkin pie spice. I added a scoop of Kite Hill’s Pumpkin Pie Cream Cheese, and I just loved how creamy my oats turned out! These overnight oats make for a perfect afternoon sweet treat.
I haven’t tried the recipes from Kite Hill’s website, but these Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes are calling my name!
Where can I buy Kite Hill Pumpkin Pie Cream Cheese?
I bought it at Whole Foods, but you can buy it on Amazon. Visit Kite Hill’s store locator to find a retailer near you.
What do you think?
Have you tried Kite Hill’s Pumpkin Pie Cream Cheese? Love it or hate it? Tell us in the comments!
