Pumpkin Bread

Introduction

Few baked goods evoke the cozy, comforting flavors of autumn quite like Pumpkin Bread. With its fragrant spices, moist crumb, and rich pumpkin flavor, this classic treat is a crowd-pleaser for breakfast, snack, or dessert. Whether you’re looking to warm up a chilly morning or bring something special to a gathering, Pumpkin Bread is the perfect choice for simple, satisfying baking.

Why You’ll Love Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread stands apart for its incredible balance of sweetness and spice. The tender crumb, infused with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, delivers a taste of fall in every bite. Its easy, one-bowl preparation means less mess and more flavor—a winning combination for seasoned bakers and beginners alike. Plus, this bread stays moist for days, making it perfect for meal prep and snacking throughout the week.

Choosing the Best Ingredients for Maximum Flavor

To achieve a Pumpkin Bread that’s moist and flavorful, use pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) for natural sweetness and rich color. The blend of warm spices is essential—be generous with cinnamon and feel free to experiment with ginger or allspice for added depth. Using brown sugar as part of the sweetener adds a gentle molasses note for extra complexity.

How to Bake Perfect Pumpkin Bread

Start by whisking together your dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, a pinch of salt, and all those aromatic spices. In a separate large bowl, combine your wet ingredients—eggs, pumpkin puree, melted butter or oil, and vanilla. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture gently to avoid overmixing, which keeps the loaf tender. Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and bake until a tester comes out clean and your kitchen smells like autumn.

Serving Suggestions for Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread is delicious enjoyed warm or at room temperature. Serve slices with a pat of butter or cream cheese for an extra treat. For a festive touch, try topping with a dusting of powdered sugar, a smear of maple glaze, or a sprinkling of pepitas (pumpkin seeds) before baking for crunch and visual appeal.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This classic Pumpkin Bread recipe yields one 9×5-inch loaf, sliced into about 10 servings. Each slice contains approximately 210–250 calories, depending on mix-ins and toppings. A modest indulgence, perfect for sharing or savoring over several days.

Pumpkin Bread Recipe (Recap)

Pumpkin Bread seamlessly blends sweet pumpkin, warm spices, and a tender crumb making it a go-to recipe for autumn and beyond. Its ease, crowd-pleasing taste, and meal-prep potential make it a must-have in every home baker’s repertoire.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and weekly meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin puree, melted butter (or oil), milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix gently until just combined. If using, fold in walnuts or chocolate chips.
5. Pour batter evenly into prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle pepitas over the top, if desired.
6. Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Allow bread to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Slice, serve, and enjoy. Store leftovers wrapped in plastic at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze for longer storage.

Weekly Meal Planning

Pumpkin Bread is perfect for incorporating into your weekly meal plan, whether you enjoy it for breakfast, snack, or dessert. Save and schedule this recipe to plan which days to bake it and generate a shopping list that integrates all your weekly ingredients—making meal prep and shopping effortless.

Planning Benefits:

– Automatically calculates ingredient amounts for all your scheduled recipes
– Combines shopping lists, organized by grocery section
– Prevents overbuying and forgotten items
– Makes it easy to bake and prep for the whole week with less stress

Pro tip: Schedule your recipes in advance to spot ingredient overlaps—save time, money, and reduce food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes