Pumpkin Bread Recipe

I absolutely love how this Pumpkin Bread Recipe turns out—moist, warmly spiced, and just sweet enough without overpowering that lovely pumpkin flavor. It’s the kind of bread that fills your kitchen with the coziest aromas and makes everyone reach for seconds (or thirds!). Whether you’re baking for a chilly fall afternoon or prepping some homemade gifts, this recipe really shines.

You’ll find that this Pumpkin Bread Recipe is wonderfully forgiving, which is great if you’re still getting comfortable with quick breads. I remember the first time I tried it—I was nervous about using canned pumpkin, but it gave the loaf such a rich texture without any fuss. Once you master this, you’ll have a classic go-to that feels special every time.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Pumpkin Bread Recipe comes straight from simple pantry staples blending beautifully together. I always recommend using good-quality pumpkin puree and fresh spices to boost the flavors.

• All-purpose flour: Be sure to spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off for accuracy—this helps keep the bread from becoming too dense.
• Salt: Just a pinch to balance all the sweetness and spice, don’t skip it.
• Baking soda and baking powder: Using both creates the perfect lift and crumb texture.
• Ground cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg: Freshly ground is best if you can manage it; otherwise, store-bought will do nicely.
• Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature to blend easily and create a tender crumb.
• Sugar: Regular granulated sugar works perfectly here, ensuring just the right sweetness.
• Eggs: Large eggs at room temperature help bind ingredients and give structure.
• 100% pure pumpkin puree: The star ingredient! Libby’s is my trusted brand—it has great flavor and texture.

Variations

I love that you can easily change this Pumpkin Bread Recipe to suit your mood or dietary needs. You might want to try adding nuts or chocolate chips or even vegan substitutions if you’re cooking for friends.

• Nutty Twist: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans makes the bread extra crunchy and adds a lovely depth—I always toss some in for my family.
• Chocolate-Chip Pumpkin Bread: Chocolate lovers, rejoice! A cup of mini chocolate chips folded into the batter takes this bread to the next level.
• Gluten-Free Version: Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and bake just as usual for friends with gluten sensitivities.
• Less Sugar: If you prefer your bread less sweet, reduce the sugar slightly—you’ll still have that cozy pumpkin goodness.

How to Make Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pans

Get your oven heated to 325°F and place a rack in the middle to ensure even baking. While it warms up, generously butter your loaf pans and dust them with a bit of flour. This step is a little extra help that means your loaves will pop right out later—trust me, it saves you a lot of headache!

Step 2: Mix Your Dry Spices and Flour

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and those cozy spices: cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This little spice blend is your secret to that signature pumpkin bread smell and flavor, so mix it really well so they’re evenly spread throughout the loaf.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using an electric mixer, beat your softened butter and sugar on medium speed until blended and light—about 2-3 minutes. When I first tried just mixing by hand, the texture wasn’t quite right, so don’t skip the mixer here if you can.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Pumpkin

One egg at a time, beat them into your butter and sugar mixture, making sure each one is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, beat in the pumpkin puree. Don’t worry if your batter looks a bit grainy or curdled at this point—that’s completely normal!

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Add the flour-spice mixture to your wet ingredients in batches, mixing on low speed just until combined. Over-mixing is the enemy here—you want everything evenly moistened but still tender. Once it’s combined, you’re ready to pour the batter into those prepared pans.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake your loaves for 65 to 75 minutes, until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. It’s such a good feeling when you see that golden crust forming in the oven! Let the bread cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before carefully turning them out onto a wire rack to finish cooling completely.

How to Serve Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Garnishes

My go-to garnish is a thin spread of unsalted butter or cream cheese, sometimes lightly sprinkled with cinnamon sugar for a little extra cozy touch. I also love a drizzle of maple syrup or honey when serving it warm—it adds a bit of sparkle to that soft crumb.

Side Dishes

This Pumpkin Bread Recipe pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, chai tea, or even a smooth latte—perfect for those slow weekend mornings. For a bigger breakfast, I like serving it alongside scrambled eggs or a yogurt parfait.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I sometimes slice the bread into mini portions and serve them in a basket with little festive picks. You could even make pumpkin bread French toast the next day for a fun twist or use thick slices as a base for whipped cream and fresh fruit toppings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps the bread moist and soft but if it’s particularly warm or humid, I’ll pop it in the fridge.

Freezing

This pumpkin bread freezes beautifully! Simply wrap each loaf in plastic wrap and then in foil, or place slices in freezer bags. When you want some, thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temp, and it’s almost as good as fresh.

Reheating

I like to reheat slices gently in the microwave for about 20 seconds or toast them lightly in a toaster oven. You’ll get that fresh-baked feeling back with a warm, tender crumb ready to enjoy.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Pumpkin Bread Recipe has quickly become one of those comfort go-tos I recommend to friends when the weather turns crisp and you want something cozy without fuss. I hope when you make it, you enjoy the process as much as the tasty, spiced loaves you end up with. It’s not just bread—it’s a little moment of warmth you can share anytime.

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