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Pumpkin Bread

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Pumpkin Bread is loaded with warm spices and full of delicious pumpkin flavor. This recipe will become one of your absolute favorites!

Sliced loaf of pumpkin bread on a white cutting board

There is just something about quick breads that make me happy. They’re one of my absolute favorite things to bake no matter the season.

They come together super easily, they’re often delicious for both breakfast and dessert and they’re the perfect treat to gift to just about anyone.

From Banana Bread, Zucchini Banana Bread, Apple Pie Bread, and Butternut Squash Bread, I pretty much have any type of quick bread you could possibly want. But my absolute favorite quick bread of all the quick breads here on My Baking Addiction, this Pumpkin Bread will always be my most loved and most baked!

Ingredients for pumpkin bread arranged on a countertop

THE BEST PUMPKIN BREAD RECIPE

Okay, let’s chat about this pumpkin bread. There is nothing that signifies fall for me more than this recipe. I’ve been making it for years – long before my blog, and it shows up countless times in my kitchen throughout the season.

It’s sweet, spicy and incredibly moist. I know, I know, moist is not my favorite word either, but there is really no way to adequately describe this Pumpkin Bread recipe without mentioning that word.

Wet ingredients for pumpkin bread in a white mixing b owl

I have fed this bread to so many people and every one of them has declared that this recipe is the best Pumpkin Bread they have ever tasted.

This particular recipe gets better with time, so whip it up a day or so in advance before you plan on eating it or giving it away.

Because let me tell you, it makes a great gift for neighbors, a hostess gift, or a gift for your boss if you’re looking to butter them up a bit.

Whisk stirring together the dry ingredients for pumpkin bread in a glass mixing bowl

HOW TO MAKE PUMPKIN BREAD

This quick bread recipe takes a bit of time to bake, but I bet you can pull together the batter in about the same amount of time it’ll take for the oven to preheat.

Preheat the oven to 350°F and measure out your ingredients:

  • 1 (15 ounce) can pure pumpkin puree
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups sugar
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
Spatula stirring together pumpkin bread batter in a white mixing bowl

Like all quick-bread recipes, we mix together the wet ingredients in one bowl, which in this case includes a whole can of pumpkin puree. We’re not skimping on the pumpkin in this bread!

In another bowl, we’ll whisk together all of the dry ingredients. From there, add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix the batter together before dividing into two loaf pans.

That’s right, this bread makes two loaves! That’s why it’s extra perfect for gifting.

Or you could keep them both for yourself. It freezes beautifully, after all. Serve it up plain, toasted, with a spread of butter, or get a little adventurous and fry it up in a pan and make Pumpkin Bread French Toast!

Batter for pumpkin bread in two loaf pans

CAN YOU USE PUMPKIN PIE FILLING IN THIS RECIPE?

When you’re making this bread, make sure you grab a can of pure pumpkin puree.

Canned pumpkin pie filling is not the same thing; it has a bunch of added ingredients that we don’t need in our Pumpkin Bread. 

While you’re at the store, grab a few extra cans because I can guarantee you’ll want to use them in Pumpkin Cheesecake, Pumpkin Bundt Cake, Pumpkin Crunch Cake, and more. 

Two baked loaves of pumpkin bread cooling on a wire rack

RECIPE VARIATIONS

This bread is perfect as it is, but you can totally add some extra if you want.

Add in some chocolate chips for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread, or even add things like chopped pecans and dried cranberries. Simply fold them in before you add the batter to the pans.

If you love pumpkin bread, but are looking for pumpkin muffins? This recipe works beautifully for both.

Simply divide the batter into muffin tins that are either sprayed with non-stick cooking spray or lined with paper liners.

Bake them up at 350°F for about 18-20 minutes and you’ll have some seriously delicious pumpkin muffins!

Two slices of pumpkin bread on a plate next to a cup of coffee

STORING AND FREEZING

Store this bread well wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want it to keep for longer, pop it into the refrigerator.

This recipe is also great for freezing. You can either freeze the loaves whole or freeze individual slices.

Two slices of pumpkin bread topped with whipped cream on a plate

To freeze the whole loaves, wrap the bread well in plastic wrap and then wrap them tightly in foil. 

To freeze slices, cut nice, thick slices and wrap them each in plastic wrap. Pop them in a zip-top freezer bag.

Freeze the bread for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, take the whole loaves out of the freezer and let them thaw on the counter overnight, or grab as many slices as you like and microwave them for 30-60 seconds for a nice warm slice of Pumpkin Bread.

Slices of pumpkin bread on a white cutting board
Sliced loaf of pumpkin bread on a white cutting board

Pumpkin Bread

Yield: 2 loaves
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Pumpkin Bread is loaded with warm spices and full of delicious pumpkin flavor. This recipe will become one of your absolute favorites!.

Ingredients

  • 1 15 ounce-can pure pumpkin puree
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups sugar
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 8.5 x 4 x 2.5 inch loaf pans.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl with an electric mixer, combine pumpkin, eggs, oil, water, vanilla and sugar until well blended.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice until combined.
  4. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour batter into the prepared pans.
  5. Bake in preheated oven for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Notes

  • This bread is a fantastic base for all sorts of additions. Get creative by adding in chopped nuts, chocolate chips, dried cranberries or whatever else sounds good to you.
  • Adapted from allrecipes

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Nutrition Information
Yield 20 Serving Size 1 slice
Amount Per Serving Calories 297Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 37mgSodium 237mgCarbohydrates 44gFiber 1gSugar 26gProtein 4g

Did you make this recipe?

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Alex

Tuesday 13th of December 2022

If I don’t have enough pumpkin Is there anything I can substitute it for

Alex

Friday 16th of December 2022

@Jamie, hi! I mean if I didn’t have a full 2 cups I made this previously and don’t think I have enough fresh puréed pumpkin left, probably just 1 1/2 Would thing affect the texture of the cake much?

Jamie

Wednesday 14th of December 2022

Hi Alex – You could use some cooked and pureed butternut squash in place of the pumpkin. Hope this helps! Happy baking – Jamie

Julie

Tuesday 11th of October 2022

Made 2 loaves on Saturday and gave one away to our daughter and her college roommates. So good - the pumpkin pie spice had just the right ratio of all the good stuff. Making 2 more loaves today (Tuesday), one for us and the other to share with coworkers. I love using the whole can of puree and not having to waste or try to save a small portion of the can.

Jamie

Tuesday 25th of October 2022

So glad you loved this recipe, Julie! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your feedback. Happy baking! Jamie

Susan

Saturday 20th of November 2021

At first I was thinking...wow...that's a lot of oil, but after making 2 loves it worked fine. Tasty moist pumpkin bread, delicious. Easy to whisk without a mixer.

Jamie

Tuesday 23rd of November 2021

So happy to hear you enjoyed the bread, Susan! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback. Happy baking! -Jamie

Gerri

Friday 13th of November 2020

I want to add fresh cranberries How much should i add

Amy

Tuesday 22nd of September 2020

Love this recipe! I make it often! I sub applesauce for the oil and add chocolate chips. I make mini bread loaves and mini muffins--my kids love the muffins in their lunches!

Jamie

Monday 28th of September 2020

So happy to hear you enjoy the recipe, Amy! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback! -Jamie

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