Description
This Pumpkin Bread recipe is a moist, warmly spiced loaf that perfectly balances sweet pumpkin flavor with comforting autumn spices. Easy to make with common pantry ingredients, it’s versatile as a snack, breakfast, or dessert and customizable with nuts, chocolate chips, or dietary adaptations. Enjoy a slice of cozy fall happiness any time of year.
Ingredients
Scale
Basic Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for GF version)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (canned pure pumpkin recommended)
- 1 cup sugar (1/2 cup brown sugar + 1/2 cup white sugar)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or coconut oil for dairy-free version)
- 2 large eggs (or 2 flax eggs for vegan/dairy-free)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Add-ins and Variations
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/2 cup dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Pinch of ground ginger or cardamom for enhanced spice
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a standard loaf pan to ensure easy removal of the pumpkin bread after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to evenly distribute the spices.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs. Add the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, white sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and creamy to ensure a moist and flavorful loaf.
- Bring Wet and Dry Together: Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula. Stir gently until just combined to keep the bread light and tender, avoiding overmixing.
- Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for approximately 60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps make slicing easier and prevents crumbling.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth blending and prevent clumps in the batter.
- Do not overmix the batter; stir gently to maintain a fluffy texture.
- Use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to avoid extra sweetness and spices.
- Start checking for doneness around 55 minutes to avoid overbaking and dryness.
- Add a dusting of powdered sugar or a cream cheese drizzle for extra indulgence.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of loaf)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg