Oh, fall! There’s just something about those crisp mornings and the smell of woodsmoke in the air that makes me want to bake. My absolute favorite scent? It’s this pumpkin bread recipe, hands down. It’s so easy to whip up, tastes like pure autumn magic, and comes out unbelievably moist every single time. I can still picture my little ones, ages ago, with flour dusted on their cheeks, helping me stir the batter. This recipe isn’t just about delicious pumpkin bread; it’s about those warm, fuzzy memories that make any day feel like a celebration.
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Bread Recipe
This pumpkin bread recipe is pretty much a fall essential in my kitchen for good reason!
- It’s ridiculously easy – you can whip up the batter in minutes.
- The flavor is just pure autumn comfort with all those lovely spices.
- Seriously, it comes out SO moist every single time. No dry bread allowed!
- It’s just perfect for sharing (or not!) during the coziest season.
Gather Your Ingredients for the Perfect Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Alright, let’s get our cozy baking station ready! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this amazing pumpkin bread. Trust me, using good ingredients makes all the difference!
You’ll want to grab:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: This is our base.
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar: For that perfect sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: This helps our bread rise beautifully.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Just a pinch to balance all those flavors.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Hello, fall spice!
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg: Adds a lovely warmth.
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves: Just a touch goes a long way.
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger: A little zing!
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree: Make sure it’s PUREE, not pie filling! This is key for flavor and moisture.
- ½ cup vegetable oil: This is what keeps our bread super moist.
- 2 large eggs: Give them a quick whisk before adding.
- ¼ cup water: This helps with the consistency.
- Optional goodies: This is where you can have some fun! About 1 cup of chocolate chips, chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts), or even some dried cranberries would be fantastic additions. Just fold them in at the end!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Alright, friends, let’s get baking! This part is where all the magic happens. Don’t worry, it’s super straightforward and I’ll walk you through every step. Following these simple instructions will guarantee you a loaf of the most delicious, moist pumpkin bread recipe you’ve ever had!
Preparing Your Loaf Pan and Oven
First things first, let’s get your oven nice and toasty. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, grab your 9×5 inch loaf pan. Give it a good grease and flouring, or better yet, line it with parchment paper. Trust me, this makes getting your beautiful loaf out so much easier!
Combining Dry Ingredients for the Pumpkin Bread Recipe
In your biggest mixing bowl, toss in the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and all those cozy spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Give it all a good whisk! You want to make sure everything is evenly distributed so you don’t get any surprise pockets of spice. It just makes for a better, more consistent bake.
Mixing the Wet Ingredients
Now, grab a separate medium-sized bowl. In there, whisk together your pumpkin puree (make sure it’s just plain puree!), the vegetable oil, your lightly beaten eggs, and that little bit of water. Whisk it until it’s all smooth and lovely. You want it nice and combined, ready to meet its dry buddies.
Bringing the Batter Together
Time to bring it all together! Pour that pumpkin-y wet mixture into the bowl with your dry ingredients. Now, here’s the super important part: stir it with a spatula *just until combined*. Seriously, resist the urge to go crazy mixing! A few little streaks of flour are okay. Overmixing makes the bread tough, and we want tender, fluffy bread, right? If you’re adding in any of those fun extras like chocolate chips, nuts, or cranberries, gently fold them in right about now.
Baking Your Perfect Pumpkin Bread
Carefully pour your glorious batter into the prepared loaf pan, making sure it’s spread out evenly. Pop that pan right into your preheated oven. It’ll need about 60-70 minutes to bake. The best way to know it’s ready? Stick a wooden skewer or a toothpick right into the center. If it comes out clean, with no wet batter clinging to it, your beautiful bread is done!
Cooling and Serving Your Pumpkin Bread
Yay, it’s baked! Now, let your pumpkin bread hang out in the pan for about 10 to 15 minutes. This helps it set up a bit. Then, carefully flip it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. I know it’s tempting to slice into it right away, but letting it cool means cleaner slices and the flavors really meld. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Moist Pumpkin Bread
Okay, so you’ve got the recipe, but let me tell you a few little secrets I’ve picked up over the years that make this pumpkin bread recipe truly sing. It’s all about the little things, right? Sometimes I even make little chocolate chip pumpkin bread variations, but the base is what matters!
First off, please, please, please use **pure pumpkin puree**, not pumpkin pie filling. They look alike, but the pie filling has extra sugar and spices that will mess with your bread’s flavor and texture. Trust me on this one!
Also, when you’re mixing the batter, remember what I said: **don’t overmix**. Seriously, just stir until everything is barely together. Overmixing develops the gluten too much, and that’s how you get a tough loaf instead of a tender, moist one. A few little lumps? Totally fine!
And one last thing – ovens can be tricky! If you find your bread is browning too fast on top before the inside is cooked, just loosely tent it with a piece of foil. It’s a little trick that’s saved many a loaf in my kitchen. Happy baking!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Pumpkin Bread
Let’s chat about a couple of ingredients in our pumpkin bread recipe that sometimes throw people for a loop. First up, that pumpkin puree! It’s SO important to grab **100% pure pumpkin puree**, not pumpkin pie filling. The pie filling has added sugar and spices, which will make your bread way too sweet and can mess up the texture. Just look for a can that *only* lists pumpkin. If you happen to grab it by mistake, it’s not the end of the world, but it’s not quite the same!
Now, for the oil. While vegetable oil is my go-to because it keeps things super moist, you can totally use other neutral oils like canola or even a mild-flavored olive oil if that’s what you have. Melted coconut oil works too, but it might add a faint coconut-y note, which isn’t a bad thing! If you’re looking to make this a vegan pumpkin bread, you can easily swap out the two large eggs for a “flax egg” – just mix 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed with 6 tablespoons of water and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it gets gel-like. Works like a charm!
Frequently Asked Questions About This Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Got questions about whipping up this amazing pumpkin bread? I’ve got answers! Don’t hesitate to ask if you have more – I love hearing from you!
Can I make this pumpkin bread recipe ahead of time?
Oh, absolutely! This easy pumpkin bread recipe actually tastes even better the next day! You can bake it a day or two in advance, keep it wrapped up on the counter, and it’ll be just as delicious. It’s perfect for busy mornings or when you need a last-minute treat.
What’s the best way to store leftover pumpkin bread?
To keep your pumpkin bread nice and moist, store it tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you think it might take longer than that to disappear (though I doubt it!), you can pop it in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just make sure it’s well-wrapped so it doesn’t dry out!
Can I make gluten-free pumpkin bread with this recipe?
You sure can! While this recipe calls for all-purpose flour, it’s pretty adaptable for a gluten-free pumpkin bread. Just swap out the regular flour for a good quality gluten-free all-purpose baking blend that contains xanthan gum. You might need to adjust the baking time slightly, so keep an eye on it!
My pumpkin bread came out a little dense. What did I do wrong?
Don’t worry, it happens! The most common reason for dense moist pumpkin bread is overmixing the batter. Remember, we just want to stir until everything is *barely* combined. Overmixing develops the gluten too much, leading to a tougher texture. Next time, try to mix just until you don’t see big dry streaks!
Nutritional Information for this Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Now, about the numbers! This is just an estimate, of course, because every can of pumpkin and every spoonful of oil can be a little different. Based on my recipe, you’re looking at roughly 300 calories per slice. It breaks down to about 15g of fat, 40g of carbs, and 3g of protein. Enjoy a slice guilt-free!
Share Your Pumpkin Bread Creations!
I just *love* seeing your baking adventures! If you whip up this pumpkin bread recipe, please leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out. Did you add chocolate chips? Did the kids help? I’d be thrilled if you shared a picture on social media and tagged me too!
Print 
 Classic Spiced Pumpkin Bread
- Total Time: 85 min
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A cozy and easy pumpkin bread recipe perfect for fall, made from scratch with warm spices.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup water
- Optional: 1 cup chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger until they are well combined.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, eggs, and water until the mixture is smooth.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix. If you are adding optional mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or cranberries, fold them in now.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 60-70 minutes. You will know it is done when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the pumpkin bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Then, invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Slice and serve your pumpkin bread. Store any leftovers at room temperature, tightly covered, for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can substitute orange juice for the water.
- Store leftovers tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 70 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
 
  
 


