Pumpkin bread is a classic fall treat that has become a staple in many households, especially during the cooler months. Its rich, spiced flavor and moist, tender crumb make it an irresistible snack or dessert that’s perfect for any time of day. Whether enjoyed with a cup of coffee in the morning or as a sweet treat after dinner, pumpkin bread is a comforting and delicious way to celebrate the flavors of the season. This recipe, developed by Jenn Segal, is a straightforward and foolproof method that yields two loaves of perfectly spiced pumpkin bread, making it ideal for sharing with family and friends.
The combination of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, along with the rich, earthy flavor of pumpkin, creates a bread that’s bursting with fall flavors. What sets this pumpkin bread apart is its simplicity—using pantry staples and a can of pure pumpkin, you can create a bakery-quality loaf that’s sure to impress. Plus, with easy freezer instructions, you can make a batch ahead of time and enjoy it whenever the craving strikes.
The Appeal of Pumpkin Bread
Pumpkin bread is beloved for its perfect balance of sweetness and spice. The natural sweetness of the pumpkin pairs beautifully with the deep, warm spices, creating a flavor that’s both comforting and familiar. The texture of pumpkin bread is another reason for its popularity—it’s moist, dense, and tender, with a slightly crisp crust that adds a delightful contrast to the soft interior.
One of the best things about pumpkin bread is its versatility. It can be enjoyed plain, with a smear of butter, or even toasted with a drizzle of honey. For a more indulgent treat, you can add chocolate chips, nuts, or a cream cheese swirl to the batter. The possibilities are endless, making pumpkin bread a go-to recipe for bakers who love to experiment with flavors and textures.
Ingredients Breakdown
Dry Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour (2 cups): The flour provides structure to the bread, ensuring it holds together while remaining soft and tender. Spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off to ensure accuracy and avoid a dense loaf.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Salt enhances the flavor of the bread and balances the sweetness of the sugar and spices.
- Baking Soda (1 teaspoon): Baking soda helps the bread rise, giving it a light, airy texture.
- Baking Powder (½ teaspoon): Baking powder works alongside the baking soda to ensure the bread rises evenly.
- Ground Cloves (1 teaspoon): Cloves add a warm, slightly sweet spice that pairs beautifully with the pumpkin and other spices.
- Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Cinnamon is the star spice in pumpkin bread, adding warmth and depth of flavor.
- Ground Nutmeg (1 teaspoon): Nutmeg adds a subtle, sweet nuttiness that complements the other spices.
Wet Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter (1½ sticks, ¾ cup, softened): Butter adds richness and moisture to the bread, giving it a tender crumb and a delicious flavor. Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Sugar (2 cups): Sugar sweetens the bread and helps create a moist texture. The high sugar content also contributes to the crisp crust that forms as the bread bakes.
- Large Eggs (2): Eggs provide structure and stability to the bread, helping it to rise and hold together.
- Pure Pumpkin (1 15-oz can): Pumpkin is the star ingredient, adding moisture, flavor, and a beautiful orange hue to the bread. Be sure to use 100% pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugars and spices.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Loaf Pans
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and set an oven rack in the middle position. This ensures even baking and prevents the top of the bread from browning too quickly.
- Prepare the Pans: Generously grease two 8 x 4-inch loaf pans with butter, making sure to coat the sides and bottom evenly. Dust the pans with flour, shaking out the excess, or use a baking spray that contains flour, such as Pam with Flour or Baker’s Joy. This step is crucial for easy removal of the bread from the pans after baking.
Making the Dry Mixture
- Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, ground cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined. Whisking the dry ingredients ensures they are evenly distributed, which helps the bread rise evenly and prevents clumps of spices in the finished loaf. Set the dry mixture aside.
Making the Wet Mixture
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar on medium speed until just blended. The mixture should be smooth and creamy, but not overly fluffy. This step incorporates air into the batter, which helps to lighten the texture of the bread.
- Add the Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating the mixture until it is very light and fluffy, which should take a few minutes. This step is crucial for creating a tender crumb and ensuring the bread rises properly.
- Incorporate the Pumpkin: Beat in the canned pumpkin until fully combined. The mixture may look slightly curdled or grainy at this point, but that’s okay—this is just the butter reacting with the moisture in the pumpkin, and it won’t affect the final texture of the bread.
Combining the Mixtures
- Add the Dry Ingredients: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Mix just until combined, being careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a dense and tough bread. The batter should be thick and well combined, with no streaks of flour visible.
Baking the Bread
- Divide the Batter: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans, using a spatula to smooth the tops. The pans should be about two-thirds full, allowing room for the bread to rise as it bakes.
- Bake the Bread: Place the pans on the middle rack of the preheated oven and bake for 65-75 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center of the loaves comes out clean. The tops of the loaves should be golden brown, with a slightly crisp crust. If the tops start to brown too quickly, you can cover them loosely with foil to prevent over-browning.
Cooling and Serving
- Cool the Bread: Once the bread is done baking, remove the pans from the oven and let the loaves cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. This short cooling period allows the bread to firm up slightly, making it easier to remove from the pans. After 10 minutes, turn the loaves out onto a wire rack to cool completely. If you prefer a crisp crust, enjoy the bread fresh out of the oven. If the bread lasts beyond a day, you can toast individual slices to regain the fresh-baked texture.
Freezing the Bread
- Freezer-Friendly Instructions: This pumpkin bread freezes beautifully, making it a great option for make-ahead baking. To freeze, let the bread cool completely, then wrap it securely in aluminum foil, freezer wrap, or place it in a freezer bag. The bread can be frozen for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw the bread overnight in the refrigerator and enjoy as usual.
Tips for Success
- Measure Ingredients Accurately: For the best results, measure your flour by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off with a knife. This prevents packing the flour, which can lead to a dense loaf. Similarly, be sure to level off your spices to ensure the correct balance of flavors.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that the butter and eggs are at room temperature before mixing. This allows the ingredients to blend together more easily, resulting in a smoother batter and a more tender crumb.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until the flour is incorporated. Overmixing can lead to a tough, dense loaf, as it activates the gluten in the flour.
- Test for Doneness: Use a cake tester or toothpick to check for doneness. Insert it into the center of the loaf—if it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the bread is done. If the batter still clings to the tester, bake the bread for a few more minutes and test again.
Variations and Customizations
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread: Add 1 cup of chocolate chips to the batter before baking for a delicious twist. The rich chocolate pairs beautifully with the spiced pumpkin, adding a touch of decadence to the bread.
- Nutty Pumpkin Bread: Stir in ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for added texture and flavor. The nuts add a satisfying crunch and complement the warm spices in the bread.
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Bread: For a creamy, tangy twist, add a cream cheese swirl to the bread. To make the swirl, beat together 8 ounces of softened cream cheese, ¼ cup of sugar, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Layer half of the pumpkin batter in the pans, add the cream cheese mixture, then top with the remaining pumpkin batter. Swirl with a knife and bake as directed.
- Glazed Pumpkin Bread: Drizzle a simple glaze over the cooled bread for added sweetness and a beautiful presentation. To make the glaze, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and
½ teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over the bread and let set before slicing.
Conclusion
Pumpkin bread is a timeless treat that brings together the best flavors of fall in a simple, satisfying loaf. This recipe is a perfect example of how easy it can be to create a delicious, bakery-quality bread at home, using just a few basic ingredients and a can of pumpkin. Whether you enjoy it plain, toasted, or with a few added extras, this pumpkin bread is sure to become a favorite in your household.
The warm spices, moist crumb, and rich pumpkin flavor make this bread perfect for any occasion, from a casual breakfast to a festive holiday spread. And with its freezer-friendly nature, you can always have a loaf on hand to enjoy whenever the mood strikes.
So the next time you’re in the mood for a cozy, comforting treat, give this pumpkin bread recipe a try. It’s a sweet taste of autumn that you’ll want to make again and again!