Pumpkin Bread

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This is the best-ever, tested-to-perfection, made-from-scratch Pumpkin Bread. It includes options for adding chocolate chips, or nuts and can be made as mini or full-sized loaves.

In the mood for some cozy Fall baking? Try our frosted Pumpkin Bars, crunchy Pumpkin Granola, or cozy Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal!

A loaf of the delicious pumpkin bread, with half sliced into individual pieces, ready to enjoy.

The Best Pumpkin Bread

I’m excited to introduce our fool-proof Pumpkin Bread. After refining this recipe every fall (along with these Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies), it’s finally ready. The secret? Premium pumpkin, the ideal blend of spices, and a delectable brown-sugar topping that creates an irresistible crust. 

Familiar with Starbucks’ Pumpkin Bread? Our homemade take is inspired by their incredible loaf, but we dare say, this recipe might just surpass it!

Mixing wet and dry components for the delicious pumpkin bread recipe.

Pumpkin Bread Recipe Ingredients

  1. Unsalted butter: Adds moisture and flavor.
  2. All-purpose flour: Gives structure.
  3. Baking agents and salt: Aid rise and flavor.
  4. Spices: Provide warm, comforting flavors.
  5. Oil: Ensures moisture and softness.
  6. Brown sugar: Sweetens and adds density.
  7. Pumpkin puree: Delivers moisture and color.
  8. Eggs: Binds and add structure.
  9. Vanilla extract: Boosts flavor.

Not only is this bread amazing, but it’s also super simple to make. 

Mixing the batter, pouring it into a loaf pan, and topping it with brown sugar.

How To Make Pumpkin Bread

  • Preheat oven as per the recipe’s instructions and prep a bread pan.
  • In a large bowl, mix wet ingredients: pumpkin puree, brown sugar, melted butter, and oil. Add eggs and vanilla.
  • In another bowl, whisk dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.
  • Combine wet and dry and mix gently.
  • Pour batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle with additional brown sugar.
  • Bake as directed until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  • Allow to cool, then enjoy!

QUICK TIP

In this recipe, we use plain canned pumpkin puree, which is just cooked pumpkin. Don’t use pumpkin pie filling since it has spices, water, and sweeteners added. Unlike some recipes that use a whole can, we only need 1 cup of pumpkin for this one. Read more about the differences here.

The finished dessert loaf, full of flavor and warmth, ready to be enjoyed.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

Making Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread is simple. Just add up to 1 cup of chocolate chips to the dry ingredients of your pumpkin bread recipe. We also have these delicious Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins to try next!

In just this easy step, you elevate your classic pumpkin bread with delicious chocolatey goodness. 

Or, if you’d like to have a buttery-sweet streusel on top, try our Pumpkin Bread with Streusel Topping. To make miniature loaves, generously grease and flour three of these Mini Loaf Pans. Divide the batter evenly among the pans and bake for 35-40 minutes.

A single slice of the loaf, showcasing the delicious and fluffy interior.

STORAGE

Storage Instructions

  • At Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for 2-3 days. After this, it risks molding due to its moistness.
  • Refrigeration: After 2 days at room temperature, refrigerate to extend freshness. Warm slices for 5-10 seconds in the microwave before eating.
  • Freezing:
    1. Let freshly baked bread cool completely.
    2. Slice the bread.
    3. Wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight bag or container.
    4. Freeze for up to 3 months. Slices thaw within an hour at room temperature or take a bit longer in the fridge.

More Amazing Pumpkin Treats

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Pumpkin Bread

5 from 8 votes
This is the best-ever, tested-to-perfection, made-from-scratch Pumpkin Bread. Plus: directions for adding chocolate or nuts to the pumpkin bread AND instructions for converting this bread into miniature or full-sized loaves. 
A single slice of the loaf, showcasing the delicious and fluffy interior.
Print Recipe

Pumpkin Bread

A single slice of the loaf, showcasing the delicious and fluffy interior.
5 from 8 votes
This is the best-ever, tested-to-perfection, made-from-scratch Pumpkin Bread. Plus: directions for adding chocolate or nuts to the pumpkin bread AND instructions for converting this bread into miniature or full-sized loaves. 
Course Dessert, Snack, Vegetarian
Cuisine American
Keyword pumpkin bread
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 12 slices
Chelsea Lords
Calories 349kcal
Cost $4.74

Equipment

  • 9-inch bread pan or 3 mini loaf pans
  • Cooking Spray

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose, white flour
  • 1 teaspoon each: baking powder, baking soda, & fine sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon each: ground cinnamon & pumpkin pie spice (Note 1)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted & cooled to room temperature
  • 1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil
  • 1 cup light or dark brown sugar, gently packed
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (Note 2)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • Optional bread topping: 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Instructions

  • PREP: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Melt 4 tbsp of butter in microwave and let it cool to room temperature. Pull out eggs to get to room temperature.
    Generously grease and flour one 9-inch (1 lb) Loaf Pan OR 3 Mini Loaf Pans tapping out excess flour, then set aside.
  • DRY INGREDIENTS: In a large bowl, add dry ingredients. Whisk to combine.
  • WET INGREDIENTS: In a separate bowl, add wet ingredients. Briskly whisk until smooth.
  • COMBINE: Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Use a spatula to scrape all of the dough into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top. Gently sprinkle 2 tablespoons brown sugar evenly over top of the loaf.
  • BAKE: Bake for 50-65 minutes (or the mini loaves for 35-40 minutes) until a toothpick in the center emerges clean or with few moist crumbs. Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack. Wait for it to cool fully before slicing with a sharp serrated knife.

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Pumpkin Pie Spice: This blend consists of warming spices. It's available in the spice section of many grocery stores, or you can create your own using our Pumpkin Pie Spice recipe.
Note 2: Pumpkin: Be sure to use pure canned pumpkin not pumpkin pie filling. Note we're only using 1 cup pumpkin not the entire can!
Note: Nutritional information is calculated for one full-sized slice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 349kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 266mg | Potassium: 93mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 3245IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 2mg

We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

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This is the best-ever, tested-to-perfection, made-from-scratch, moist pumpkin bread. Directions for miniature or full sized loaves of bread. The miniature loaves are great for holiday gift-giving! | chelseasmessyapron.com | #pumpkin #bread #best #ever #mini #miniature #chocolatechips #fall #baking #thanksgiving #easy #quick #recipe #kidfriendly
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Recipe Rating




27 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Wonderful bread ! Thank you, once again your pumpkin chocolate bread recipe is a winner. Thanks for doing the research and testing. We love all your pumpkin chocolate recipes, healthy and not so much. One question, how do they do if frozen ?

  2. I haven’t made this yet because I’d like to know; what if you’d like both chocolate chips And nuts? Can this recipe hold them both?

    1. Yes you can definitely add both, I would just keep the total quantity of chips/nuts to 1 cup 🙂

    1. Yes!! If I make several loafs at one time i’ll freeze the extras and they are still delicious weeks later! 🙂

  3. 5 stars
    I LOVE this pumpkin bread! I greased pan with Crisco (canned) and instead of flour, sprinkled cinnamon sugar on inside of pan (stuck nicely to Crisco). I also added walnuts to batter, poured it in pan and sprinkled raw sugar over the top. Yum, nice & crunchy top. Definitely recommend!

  4. 5 stars
    My daughter loves everything pumpkin, so I’m excited about trying your pumpkin bread recipe. I always only use fresh pumpkin for baking, will fresh work in this?

    1. I haven’t personally tried fresh pumpkin, but I think if you really squeeze out excess moisture it should work! Maybe even reduce the pumpkin in a saucepan to concentrate it more and get rid of extra liquid! Let me know how it turns out 🙂

  5. 5 stars
    Please send me this recipe (without ads)!
    I have it in the oven now! I know it will be a hit – batter was delicious!

    1. Hope you loved it! 🙂 There is a “print” button on the recipe card that will allow you to get the full recipe without ads! 🙂

  6. Soooo…i tried to double this recipe for 2 big loaves and it totally overflowed about 15 minutes into baking (and burned onto the bottom of my stove..oops). Now I’m thinking i should have looked for a double batch recipe instead of just doubling everything..do you have any suggestions on what i should increase/decrease for 2 loaves?

    1. Oh darn!! Yes I’d recommend making 2 separate loaves next time instead of doubling the recipe. Sorry to hear about the mess 🙁

  7. I’m really looking forward to making this, I absolutely love pumpkin. I was wondering before I do, do I need to change anything for high altitude? Thank you for sharing this recipe it looks amazing.

  8. I think something is wrong with your “Print” button. I couldn’t get it to work on two different computers. Looks delicious though!

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