Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread is a timeless baked treat that captures the warm, comforting flavors of fall in every slice. Made with real pumpkin purée, fragrant spices, and a tender crumb, this bread is soft, moist, and wonderfully aromatic. Whether enjoyed with a morning cup of coffee, as an afternoon snack, or as a simple dessert, pumpkin bread brings a sense of home and nostalgia to the table. The best part is how easy it is to make—no fancy techniques, just simple ingredients coming together to create something truly special.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this pumpkin bread recipe because it’s consistently moist, flavorful, and forgiving. It turns out beautifully every time and fills the kitchen with the most comforting aroma while baking. It’s also incredibly versatile—you can keep it classic or customize it with nuts, chocolate chips, or a glaze.

Why This Is a Must-Try Dish

• Perfect balance of warm spices and pumpkin flavor
• Soft, moist texture that stays fresh for days
• Easy to make with pantry ingredients
• Great for breakfast, snack, or dessert
• Freezes beautifully for later enjoyment

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 55–60 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Servings: 10 slices
• Calories: ~220 calories per slice (approx.)
• Course: Breakfast / Snack / Dessert
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Add-Ins

• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• ½ cup chocolate chips or raisins

Cooking Directions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk pumpkin purée, sugars, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Combine: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. Add Extras: Fold in nuts or chocolate chips if using.
6. Bake: Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 55–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
7. Cool: Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

1. Preheat oven and prepare loaf pan.
2. Combine all dry ingredients in one bowl.
3. Whisk wet ingredients in a separate bowl.
4. Gently mix wet and dry ingredients together.
5. Add optional mix-ins.
6. Bake until golden and fully set.
7. Cool before slicing for best texture.

Save it

How to Serve

Serve Pumpkin Bread slightly warm or at room temperature. Enjoy it plain, with a pat of butter, or with cream cheese spread. It pairs wonderfully with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk.

Recipe Tips

• Use pure pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling
• Don’t overmix the batter—this keeps the bread tender
• Tent with foil if top browns too quickly
• Let bread cool completely before slicing
• Measure flour accurately for best results

Variations (Detailed)

• Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread: Add semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Nutty Pumpkin Bread: Add walnuts or pecans for crunch
• Healthy Version: Substitute half the oil with applesauce
• Pumpkin Spice Bread: Increase spices or add pumpkin spice blend
• Glazed Pumpkin Bread: Drizzle with vanilla or maple glaze

Freezing and Storage

• Room Temperature: Store wrapped for up to 3 days
• Refrigerator: Store for up to 1 week
• Freezer: Freeze slices or whole loaf for up to 3 months
• Thawing: Thaw at room temperature or warm gently

Special Equipment Needed

• 9×5-inch loaf pan
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk and spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wire cooling rack

Conclusion

Pumpkin Bread is a classic recipe that never goes out of style. Moist, warmly spiced, and incredibly comforting, it’s the perfect baked treat to enjoy any time of year—especially when you crave cozy flavors. Easy to make and endlessly adaptable, this pumpkin bread is a must-have recipe you’ll reach for again and again.