Introduction

Freshly baked, moist slices of easy pumpkin bread recipe on a rustic white board.

Get ready to bake the most incredible easy pumpkin bread recipe you’ve ever tasted! This loaf is unbelievably moist, packed with warm, cozy spices, and fills your home with an irresistible autumn aroma. You’ll love how simple and quick it is to prepare, perfect for even the busiest days. Whether enjoyed for a delightful breakfast, a satisfying snack, or a comforting dessert, this bread is a true fall favorite.

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Why You’ll Love This Easy Pumpkin Bread

Irresistible Flavor: This easy pumpkin bread recipe boasts a perfect balance of sweet pumpkin and a medley of warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Every bite is a taste of autumn comfort.
Incredibly Moist: Thanks to the generous amount of oil and pumpkin puree, this bread stays wonderfully moist for days. You won’t find a dry crumb here, making it perfect for meal prep.
Simple & Quick: We use the fuss-free “muffin method” for mixing, which means less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your delicious creation. Just mix wet, mix dry, then combine!
Versatile Treat: Enjoy a slice for breakfast with your morning coffee, pack it as a tasty snack, or serve it as a simple dessert after dinner. This bread fits every occasion beautifully.
Cozy Aroma: As this bread bakes, it fills your entire home with the most delightful, spicy-sweet scent. It’s pure comfort and truly signals the start of the cozy season.

Ingredients

Making this delightful easy pumpkin bread recipe requires simple, pantry-staple ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect moist texture and rich, spiced flavor.

Dry Ingredients:

1½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
¼ cup (30 g) cornstarch
1¼ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1½ tsp ground cinnamon
¾ tsp ground ginger (powdered ginger, not fresh)
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cloves

Wet Ingredients:

1 cup (200 g) white granulated sugar
2 large eggs (room temperature)
¾ cup (155 g) unflavored vegetable oil (like canola oil)
1 cup (250 g) pumpkin puree (Libby’s 100% canned pumpkin, see note 1 below for fresh pumpkin option)
3 tbsp (45 g) whole milk (room temperature)
1¼ tsp vanilla extract/essence

Notes & Substitutions

Flour: All-purpose flour works best, but a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend can be used for a gluten-free easy pumpkin bread recipe.
Cornstarch: This ingredient is key for extra tenderness. If you don’t have it, you can omit it, but the texture might be slightly different.
Spices: Feel free to adjust the spice levels to your preference. You can substitute the individual spices with 2½ teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice for convenience.
Sugar: Granulated sugar creates a light, moist crumb. For a deeper, more molasses-like flavor, you can swap half of the granulated sugar for packed light brown sugar.
Eggs: Using room temperature eggs helps them emulsify better with the oil and other wet ingredients, leading to a smoother, more uniform batter.
Oil: Canola oil or another neutral-flavored vegetable oil like grapeseed or sunflower oil are perfect. Avoid olive oil, as its strong flavor can affect the bread.
Pumpkin Puree: Always use 100% pure canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. For more information on the distinction, The Spruce Eats provides a helpful guide on the difference between pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling. If using homemade pumpkin puree, make sure it’s thick and not too watery; drain excess liquid if necessary.
Milk: Whole milk adds richness, but any dairy-free alternative like almond or soy milk will also work well in this easy pumpkin bread recipe.
Vanilla: Do not skip the vanilla extract. It enhances all the other flavors and adds depth to the bread.

Equipment

You only need a few basic kitchen tools to make this delightful easy pumpkin bread recipe.

An 8.5×4.5 inch loaf pan is essential for baking.
You’ll need two large mixing bowls for separating dry and wet ingredients.
A whisk is perfect for combining everything smoothly.
A spatula helps scrape down the sides of bowls.
Standard measuring cups and spoons ensure accurate ingredient amounts.
Parchment paper makes lifting the baked bread easy.
A wire rack is crucial for proper cooling.

Instructions

Baking this easy pumpkin bread recipe is incredibly straightforward, following the simple “muffin method” for perfect results every time.

Prepare Oven & Pan: Preheat your oven to 180 °C (350°F) conventional (Note: if using a convection oven with a fan, reduce temperature by 25°F/15°C and check for doneness earlier). Lightly grease an 8.5×4.5 inch loaf tin and line it with parchment paper, allowing some of the paper to hang over the edges. This “sling” will make lifting the baked bread out much easier.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves. Sifting helps prevent lumps and aerates the mixture. Use a whisk to mix these dry ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined, then set this bowl aside for later.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, combine the white granulated sugar, room temperature eggs, unflavored vegetable oil, pumpkin puree, room temperature whole milk, and vanilla extract. Use a whisk to mix these wet ingredients together until they are well combined and smooth. This ensures even distribution of flavors and moisture throughout your easy pumpkin bread recipe.
Mix Batter: Add the bowl of dry ingredients directly into the large bowl containing the wet ingredients. Using a whisk, gently mix them together until just combined. It is crucial not to overmix the batter; a few small lumps are perfectly fine and will lead to a more tender bread. Overmixing develops gluten, which can result in a tough, dense loaf.
Bake Bread: Carefully pour the prepared pumpkin bread batter into the greased and parchment-lined loaf tin. Gently drop the tin once or twice onto your counter from a few inches up to release any large air bubbles trapped in the batter. Place the loaf tin into the preheated oven and bake for 65-70 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a wooden skewer or a thin knife into the center of the bread. It should come out clean or with only a few moist crumbs attached. If your loaf tin is slightly larger than the recommended size, check the bread a bit earlier, around the 55-minute mark.
Cool: Once baked, remove the loaf from the oven. Allow the easy pumpkin bread recipe to cool in the tin for about 20 minutes on a wire rack. This initial cooling in the pan helps the bread set properly and prevents it from crumbling. After 20 minutes, use the overhanging parchment paper to lift the bread out of the tin and transfer it directly onto the wire rack to cool completely. Slicing the bread while it is still warm can be tempting, but it’s best to wait until it has fully cooled for clean slices and the best texture.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Achieving the perfect easy pumpkin bread recipe is simple with a few helpful pointers.

Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs and milk are at room temperature. This helps them combine more smoothly with other ingredients, creating a more uniform and tender batter.
Do Not Overmix: This is perhaps the most important tip. Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to a tough, dense bread. Mix only until the dry ingredients are just incorporated into the wet ones. A few small lumps are perfectly acceptable.
Check Doneness: Use a wooden skewer or thin knife. If it comes out clean or with only moist crumbs, your bread is done. Avoid opening the oven door too early, especially in the first 45 minutes, as this can cause the bread to sink.
Prevent Sinking: Sinking can be due to underbaking, opening the oven door too soon, or an oven temperature that is too low. Ensure your oven thermometer is accurate and bake until a skewer comes out clean.
Adjust Spices: The provided spice blend is a great starting point, but feel free to customize. Love more ginger? Add a pinch! Want less clove? Reduce it. This easy pumpkin bread recipe is flexible.
Golden Crust: If your bread is browning too quickly on top before it’s fully cooked inside, loosely tent the loaf pan with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.
Moisture Content: Canned pumpkin puree is ideal. If using fresh pumpkin, make sure to drain any excess liquid to prevent a soggy loaf. Watery puree can affect the bread’s final texture.

Serving, Storage & Variations

This easy pumpkin bread recipe is delicious on its own, but also incredibly versatile!

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy a warm slice plain for a simple pleasure.
Spread with a generous layer of softened butter or cream cheese.
For a sweet treat, add a dollop of whipped cream.
It pairs wonderfully with your morning coffee, a cup of tea, or a glass of milk.
Turn it into a dessert by serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Storage Instructions

Store your baked easy pumpkin bread recipe at room temperature for 3-4 days in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap. This preserves its incredible moisture.
For extended freshness, you can refrigerate the bread for up to a week.
To freeze, wrap individual slices or the whole loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the microwave.

Variations

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread: Fold in 1 cup of semi-sweet, milk, or white chocolate chips with the dry ingredients for a delicious twist.
Nutty Pumpkin Bread: Add ½ to ¾ cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the batter for extra crunch and flavor.
Streusel Topping: Before baking, sprinkle a crumbly topping made from flour, sugar, butter, and cinnamon over the batter for an irresistible crust.
Cream Cheese Swirl: Prepare a simple cream cheese filling (softened cream cheese, a little sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla) and swirl it into the batter before baking.
Gluten-Free Option: Simply swap the all-purpose flour for a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Ensure your blend contains xanthan gum for best results.

Nutrition Information

Here is an estimated nutritional breakdown per serving for this easy pumpkin bread recipe.
Please note that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific brands and exact quantities of ingredients used.

Nutrition	Value	Unit
Calories	435	kcal
Carbohydrates	53	g
Protein	5	g
Fat	23	g
Saturated Fat	4	g
Polyunsaturated Fat	13	g
Monounsaturated Fat	5	g
Trans Fat	0.2	g
Cholesterol	47	mg
Sodium	199	mg
Potassium	126	mg
Fiber	2	g
Sugar	28	g
Vitamin A	5115	IU
Vitamin C	1	mg
Calcium	68	mg
Iron	2	mg

Disclaimer: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is my pumpkin bread dense?
Your easy pumpkin bread recipe might be dense due to overmixing the batter, which develops gluten and makes it tough. It could also be from old or expired baking powder/soda, or incorrect ingredient measurements.
Can I use fresh pumpkin puree?
Absolutely! To use fresh pumpkin, roast or steam it until tender, then blend until smooth. Ensure you drain any excess liquid to achieve a thick consistency similar to canned puree, preventing a watery loaf.
How do I prevent my pumpkin bread from sinking?
Prevent sinking by ensuring your oven temperature is accurate and by not opening the oven door too early during baking. Underbaking is a common cause, so always check for doneness with a skewer.
Can I make this recipe into muffins?
Yes, you can easily adapt this easy pumpkin bread recipe into muffins! Fill lined muffin tins about two-thirds full and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20-25 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.
What if I don’t have all the individual spices?
No problem! You can substitute the individual spices with 2½ teaspoons of pre-made pumpkin pie spice mix. This will give you a similar warm and inviting flavor profile.
Can I reduce the sugar?
You can reduce the sugar slightly, but avoid cutting it by more than ¼ cup, as sugar contributes to moisture and browning. Reducing it too much can affect the texture and overall taste of the bread.

Conclusion

And there you have it—your ultimate easy pumpkin bread recipe! This simple, yet incredibly flavorful and moist loaf is the perfect way to welcome the cozy fall season. We hope you feel confident and excited to bake this delicious treat, bringing warmth and comfort to your home. Give this recipe a try, share your creations with us, and enjoy every spiced, pumpkin-filled bite!