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Pumpkin Bread Loaf

Few things capture the cozy flavors of fall quite like a freshly baked Pumpkin Bread Loaf. Moist, tender, warmly spiced, and naturally rich from pumpkin puree, this classic quick bread is simple enough for a weekday breakfast but comforting enough to serve as a seasonal dessert.

This recipe creates a beautifully soft loaf with a golden-brown crust and a delicate pumpkin flavor balanced by cinnamon, nutmeg, and other warming spices. It requires no yeast and no complicated techniques—just mix the ingredients, pour the batter into a loaf pan, and let the oven do the work.

Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Bread

This pumpkin bread is especially appealing because it comes together quickly and stays moist for several days. Pumpkin puree provides moisture and richness, while brown sugar adds a deeper sweetness that pairs naturally with the spices.

The batter can also be customized easily. You can add chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch, chocolate chips for extra sweetness, or simply leave the loaf plain for a more traditional pumpkin-bread experience.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cloves

Wet Ingredients

1 cup pumpkin puree
½ cup vegetable oil
¾ cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk

Optional Add-Ins

½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
½ cup chocolate chips
A handful of pumpkin seeds for sprinkling over the top

Step-by-Step Method

1. Prepare the Pan and Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some parchment hanging over the sides. This makes removing the finished loaf much easier.

If you don’t have parchment paper, simply grease and lightly flour the pan.

2. Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.

Mixing these ingredients separately helps distribute the leavening agents and spices evenly throughout the flour. Set the bowl aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.