The Best Homemade Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Introduction

Welcome to cozy fall baking, where the comforting aroma of spices fills your kitchen! There’s nothing quite like a freshly baked loaf to bring warmth and joy. This pumpkin bread recipe delivers incredibly moist, tender, and deeply flavorful loaves every single time. It’s so easy to prepare, making it the perfect project for busy parents and beginner bakers alike. This delightful treat is a true family favorite, ideal for sharing with friends or savoring all by yourself. Get ready to bake a delicious fall classic with this foolproof recipe, embodying the true essence of autumn.

Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Bread

You’ll adore this simple pumpkin bread recipe for countless reasons, making it an instant favorite!

• Effortless Baking: It’s incredibly easy to make, requiring no special equipment or advanced skills. Perfect for beginners and busy schedules!
• Perfectly Moist: You’ll achieve an unbelievably moist and tender crumb that practically melts in your mouth with every bite.
• Warm Fall Flavors: Every slice is infused with a perfectly balanced blend of warming spices, embodying the true essence of autumn.
• Double the Delight: This specific pumpkin bread recipe yields two generous loaves, making it ideal for gifting or enjoying over several days.
• Freezer-Friendly: Easily prepare ahead and freeze a loaf for a quick, comforting treat whenever the mood strikes.
• Versatile Treat: It’s wonderful for breakfast, a lovely afternoon snack, or even a simple dessert with coffee or tea.

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create the most delicious homemade pumpkin bread. This easy pumpkin bread recipe relies on fresh, quality components for the best flavor.

• Dry Ingredients:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda (sifted)
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• Wet Ingredients:
  • 3 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 cup extra light olive oil (or neutral oil)
  • 15 oz pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Notes & Substitutions

• Pumpkin Puree: Use 100% pure canned pumpkin. Drain homemade puree thoroughly for the best texture in your pumpkin bread. Pumpkin is a nutrient-dense ingredient, offering health benefits such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
• Spices: Adjust to taste, or substitute with 2-3 tsp pumpkin pie spice blend for ease.
• Oil: Vegetable, canola, or light olive oil are excellent choices for moisture in this quick bread.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar gives the ideal texture. You can try a mix with brown sugar for richer flavor notes.
• Mix-ins: Fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips, nuts, or dried cranberries. Toss them with 1 tbsp flour first to prevent sinking.

Equipment

You won’t need anything fancy to whip up this amazing pumpkin bread recipe. Simple, standard kitchen tools are all it takes to achieve delicious results.

• Two large mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Two 8.5×4.5 inch loaf pans
• Wire cooling rack
• Optional: A stand mixer with a paddle attachment can simplify the mixing process, but a hand whisk works perfectly well for this simple recipe.

Instructions

Follow these easy, step-by-step instructions to bake the best homemade pumpkin bread. This beginner-friendly pumpkin bread recipe guarantees perfect, moist loaves every time.

1. Prep Oven & Pans: Begin by preheating your oven to 350˚F (175˚C). Take two 8.5×4.5 inch bread pans and generously butter them, then lightly dust with flour. This crucial step ensures your delicious pumpkin bread won’t stick and releases easily after baking.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients. This includes 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1 tsp sifted baking soda, 2 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp cloves, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp salt. Whisk until all components are thoroughly combined and there are no lumps, especially from the baking soda.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients until smoothly blended. This involves 3 room temperature eggs, 1 cup extra light olive oil, 15 oz pumpkin puree, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Ensure they are well integrated for a uniform batter. Using room temperature eggs in baking helps create a better emulsion which can lead to a more even and tender crumb.
4. Mix Batter: Now, pour the wet ingredients mixture over the dry ingredients. Using your whisk, gently mix them together just until the flour streaks disappear. It’s very important not to overmix the batter for this pumpkin bread. Overmixing develops too much gluten, which can lead to a tough and dense loaf, rather than the desired tender crumb.
5. Bake Loaves: Divide the pumpkin bread batter evenly between your two prepared loaf pans. Place them carefully into the preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes. Baking times can vary depending on your oven, so start checking for doneness around the 45-minute mark. Insert a toothpick into the center of a loaf; if it comes out clean, your pumpkin bread is perfectly baked (my oven typically takes 50 minutes for this recipe).
6. Cool: Once baked, let the loaves cool in their pans for about 10-15 minutes on a wire rack. This initial cooling helps the bread firm up. After this time, carefully invert the pans to transfer the loaves directly onto the wire rack to cool completely. Patience here ensures your pumpkin bread slices beautifully without crumbling.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Ensure your homemade pumpkin bread recipe turns out perfectly every time with these helpful hints and troubleshooting tips.

• Moist Texture: Oil, rather than butter, creates a superior moist and tender crumb that stays fresh longer.
• Avoid Overmixing: Mix gently until just combined. Overmixing leads to a tough, dense pumpkin bread.
• Room Temperature Eggs: Use room temperature eggs for better emulsification and a superior rise in your quick bread.
• Proper Doneness: The toothpick test is key; it should come out clean. An internal thermometer reading 200-205°F confirms doneness.
• Prevent Sinking: Avoid opening the oven door during the first 30 minutes of baking to prevent deflation.
• Baking Pan Color: Darker pans may require slightly reduced bake time or a lower oven temperature to prevent overbrowning.
• Adjusting Spices: Customize spice levels to your preference, adding more cinnamon or ginger for deeper flavor.

Serving, Storage & Variations

This delightful homemade pumpkin bread offers many ways to enjoy it. Learn the best serving methods, storage tips, and exciting variations for your new favorite quick bread.

• Serving Suggestions:
  • Warm with honey butter or cream cheese frosting.
  • Drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze for added sweetness.
  • Perfect alongside morning coffee, afternoon tea, or as a light dessert.
• Storage:
  • Store cooled pumpkin bread in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days.
  • Refrigerate for up to one week for extended freshness.
• Freezing:
  • Wrap completely cooled loaves (or slices) tightly in plastic wrap then foil.
  • Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature.
• Variations for your pumpkin bread recipe:
  • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread: Fold in 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
  • Pumpkin Nut Bread: Add 1 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch.
  • Pumpkin Muffins: Bake in a muffin tin (20-25 mins at 375°F, checking doneness).
  • Streusel Topping: Sprinkle a simple streusel (flour, sugar, butter, cinnamon) over the batter before baking.

Nutrition

Here are the approximate nutritional values per serving for this delicious homemade pumpkin bread recipe. Please remember that these are estimates for homemade recipes and can vary based on specific ingredients, brand choices, and actual serving sizes. For personalized dietary advice or specific dietary needs, always consult a qualified health or nutrition professional.

FAQ

Got common questions about making this amazing pumpkin bread recipe? We have concise answers to help you bake with confidence!

• Can I use fresh pumpkin puree? Yes, absolutely! Just ensure you drain it very well to remove excess moisture and prevent a soggy loaf.
• Can I make pumpkin muffins instead? You certainly can! Adjust the baking time to 20-25 minutes at 375°F (190°C) for delicious muffins.
• Why is my pumpkin bread dry? Common culprits include overmixing the batter, old leavening agents, or incorrect measurements (too much flour).
• Can I half the recipe? Yes, easily halve all ingredients and bake in a single loaf pan. Monitor baking time closely, as it might be shorter.
• What’s the difference between pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling? Puree is 100% pure pumpkin. Pie filling contains added sugars and spices. Always use plain puree for this recipe.

Conclusion

This truly is the best homemade pumpkin bread recipe you’ll ever try, offering a wonderfully moist, flavorful, and incredibly easy-to-make treat. Perfect for chilly fall days, cozy mornings, or sharing joy with loved ones, this bread captures all the comforting essence of the season. We wholeheartedly encourage you to try this simple, foolproof recipe soon and fill your home with its delightful aroma. Enjoy every tender, perfectly spiced slice! Baking has never been so rewarding.

The Best Homemade Pumpkin Bread Recipe

This delicious homemade pumpkin bread recipe yields two loaves, perfect for a cozy fall treat or sharing with friends and family.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings: 16 slices

Calories: 280

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Pumpkin Bread Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda sifted to eliminate lumps
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves optional
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg optional
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 3 large eggs room temperature
• 1 cup extra light olive oil or vegetable or corn oil
• 15 oz pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

• Oven
• Bread pans (two 8 1/2"x4 1/2")
• Large mixing bowl
• Medium mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Toothpick
• Wire rack

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350˚F and prepare two 8 1/2"x4 1/2" bread pans by buttering and lightly dusting them with flour.

Mixing

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, sifted baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, optional cloves, optional nutmeg, and salt.
2. In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together the room temperature eggs, oil, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract.

Baking

1. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and whisk until the mixture is smooth. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared bread pans.
2. Bake at 350˚F for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the loaves cool in their pans for 10-15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For best results, ensure eggs are at room temperature. Sifting baking soda helps prevent lumps. You can use extra light olive oil, vegetable oil, or corn oil. Cooling the bread completely on a wire rack is crucial for perfect texture. This recipe yields two delicious loaves of pumpkin bread.

Emily Thompson

Emily Thompson is a home cook and food enthusiast who believes that great meals bring families together. She loves exploring creative twists on classic American comfort food, always testing new ideas in her kitchen. Emily is passionate about sharing simple, practical recipes and time-saving tips to help busy people enjoy cooking at home. Her approachable style makes every dish accessible, delicious, and perfect for those seeking inspiration for everyday meals and special occasions. Find Emily’s latest creations and kitchen wisdom on yumeasymeals.com.