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The BEST Pumpkin Bread Recipe
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This is the best pumpkin bread ever! Tender, moist and delicious and loaded with warm spices. It’s just like your Mom used to make! This Classic Pumpkin Bread recipe will make you two loaves to snack on all fall! If you only want to use one loaf we will share our tips on storing the second one in the freezer so you can pull it out whenever you want.
There’s something about the smell of pumpkin the fall. It is so comforting! I just love it when my husband “smells like fall”, don’t you? The perfect way to achieve that is to make a delicious loaf of pumpkin bread! Well, actually this recipe makes two loaves, so you can either share it with a friend, eat two loaves or freeze one of them!
This pumpkin bread recipe was my grandma’s and I stole it out of my mom’s recipe cards. Don’t worry I copied it and left her a copy! Another one of her recipes I’m always sure to make is Zucchini Bread.
I love this quick bread because it’s easy too because it’s easy and so delicious. Using canned pumpkin to make this recipe keeps the loaves moist and it’s SO simple!
Plus, it has just the right amount “spice” in it and it’s so good when it’s warm out of the oven and topped with butter! If you want to amp up the sweet factor or love chocolate we also love this Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread!
What do I need to make it?
If you’d rather skip my (very helpful, I think) tips and tricks, essential cooking info, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to this easy quick bread recipe – simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.
- Flour
- Sugar
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Canned pumpkin
- Vegetable oil
- Eggs
How to bake Pumpkin Bread
- Preheat oven – Simply preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Prepare Loaf Pans – Spray your loaf pans with nonstick spray and set aside.
- Combine ingredients – Grab a mixing bowl and mix pumpkin, oil, eggs and water until completely combined. Add in dry ingredients and mix until combined.
- Pour into loaf pans – Take your batter and spoon it evenly between your loaf pans.
- Bake – Place loaf pans in preheated oven and bake 60-65 minutes. Remove from oven and cool 10 minutes before removing from pan. Allow to completely cool on wire rack.
How do you tell when it is done?
You’ll want to look for the bread to start pulling away from the pan. Another way to test if quick bread is done is to use a toothpick and insert it in the middle of the bread loaf. It should come out with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it.
You could also use an instant read thermometer to test the internal temperature, which should be 190 degrees F.
Why didn’t it rise?
If you overfill your loaf pan your pumpkin bread may not rise. This is because the batter reaches the top of the pan, still needs to rise and then collapses.
Another reason could be that you leavening agent (baking soda or baking powder) is stale. Check your expiration date!
How long is Pumpkin Bread good for?
Cover you bread with plastic wrap or place in a plastic bag once it is cool to prevent it from drying out.
If you properly store it your bread will last 1-2 days at room temperature.
If you store it in the refrigerator it will last up to 1 week!
Another option is to freeze the pumpkin bread. First, wrap cooled bread tightly with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap and then place in a heavy duty freezer bag. You can store it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
What can I make with Pumpkin?
There are so many fall recipes to make with pumpkin! I also love this Pumpkin Bread Recipe with Caramel Glaze, it’s the perfect easy pumpkin bread that has a sweet ending to it!
If you still have zucchini to use up from the garden I love the combo of pumpkin and zucchini in this quick Cinnamon Swirl Zucchini Pumpkin Bread.
Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Bake is a quick and easy breakfast treat perfect for weekday treats before the kids head off to school or on a lazy weekend morning!
Don’t forget about the delicious pumpkin roll. This quick and easy post will show you How to make a Pumpkin Roll!
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Pumpkin Bread
How to bake Pumpkin Bread just like Grandma used to make! Tender, moist and delicious and loaded with warm spices. This Classic Pumpkin Bread recipe will make you two loaves to snack on all fall!
Print Pin RatePrep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 16
Calories: 393kcal
Ingredients
- 3 1/3 c. all-purpose flour
- 3 c. sugar
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 15 oz can pumpkin
- 1 c. vegetable oil
- 4 eggs
- 2/3 c. water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare two 5x9x3 inch loaf pans with non-stick spray, set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl combine pumpkin, oil, eggs and water. Mix in dry ingredients. Mix until combined. Spoon into loaf pans.
- Bake for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Cool for 10 minutes and remove from pan to wire rack.
Notes
Testing for doneness You'll want to look for the bread to start pulling away from the pan. Another way to test if quick bread is done is to use a toothpick and insert it in the middle of the bread loaf. It should come out with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it. You could also use an instant read thermometer to test the internal temperature, which should be 190 degrees F. Why did my Pumpkin Bread not rise? If you overfill your loaf pan your pumpkin bread may not rise. This is because the batter reaches the top of the pan, still needs to rise and then collapses. Another reason could be that you leavening agent (baking soda or baking powder) is stale. Check your expiration date! Tips for storing leftover Pumpkin Bread Cover you bread with plastic wrap or place in a plastic bag once it is cool to prevent it from drying out. If you properly store it your bread will last 1-2 days at room temperature. If you store it in the frefrigerator it will last up to 1 week! Another option is to freeze the pumpkin bread. First, wrap cooled bread tightly with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap and then place in a heavy duty freezer bag. You can store it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 393kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 393mg | Potassium: 104mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin A: 4470IU | Vitamin C: 1.2mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1.7mg
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LEAVE A COMMENT
I love pumpkin bread! (And we all get writer’s block sometimes…:) )
I wouldreally love some that pumpkin bread
a town outside of elmhurst makes delicious breads
I assume you use a 15oz. can of pumpkin. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
Totally obsessed with pumpkin this time of year and this looks fantastic! I’m thinking of adding some raisins!
Me to! Raisins sound great!
I love Pumpkin Bread this time of year! This recipe looks just perfect!
It is perfect!
I just made this pumpkin bread and it came out delicious and light . It melts in your mouth?
So glad you enjoyed it!
Does it really need 3 cups of sugar?
I have never tested it any other way.
My thoughts too— cut out a cup! Delish
Also substituted coconut oil- I think that adds to the sweetness
Glad you enjoyed it!
Can you pumpkin pie spices instead?
Yes that will work, it might make it taste a bit different but I’m sure it will still be delicious!
Hello Julie, hope all is well with you and thank you for sharing your time and recipes with us, I love pumpkin so much and I’m super excited to make this can this be made for just 1 loaf ??? Thank you again
Yes! You need to just divide the ingredients in half and it will make one loaf.
I made this pumpkin bread recipe a few days ago. My kids absolutely said it’s the best I’ve ever made. Absolutely delicious. I added some banana and also a few walnuts. Thank you for sharing your recipe
So happy it was a hit!
Tried this and it was delicious as is. I added pecans. Just wondering if you could substitute some whole wheat flour, and use coconut oil instead? What ratio if you split the flours would you use?
I haven’t tried this so I’m not sure what the ratios would be. If you try it, let me know how it goes!
Love all the detailed notes and tips for gettin the most perfect pumpkin bread every time! Love this recipe – thanks!
You’re welcome! Thanks for trying it – glad you loved it!
I was looking for a new pumpkin bread and this was perfect!
Perfect! I’m glad you found it!
Can sweet potato be substituted for the pumpkin?
I haven’t tried this but I would think it would work! If you give it a try, let me know how it goes!
How should I substitute fresh pumpkin I have cooked for the 15 oz. can of bought, solid pumpkin called for in your recipe for your grandma’s pumpkin bread? As you may know fresh cooked pumpkin is watery as compared to canned pumpkin. Thank you for helping as we’ve been given two (2) fresh pumpkins & hope to enjoy them.
Hi Lois – this sounds like a fresh and delicious plan! I haven’t tested this so I’m not positive but I would think 1 1/2 cup to 1 3/4 cup of the fresh puree in place of the canned pumpkin would work for this recipe. Let me know how it turns out!
very yummy
Glad you enjoyed it!
I’m curious about your recipe- I have a similar recipe that is essentially a half recipe of yours- but— it also calls for baking POWDER & baking SODA- it’s my very favorite pumpkin bread recipe- was baking powder left out by som chance? Thanks!
I don’t believe so! I make this one with just baking soda.
Could you make this in a bundt pan instead of a loaf pan? Would I need to adjust cooking time?
I haven’t tested it in a bundt pan but I think it would work, I don’t think you would need to adjust cooking time. Let me know how it goes!
Can you make them in smaller loaf pans? If yes, would the time to bake change?
Yes you can and yes the time will probably be a bit shorter. I haven’t tested it so I’m not positive on how much shorter, try starting with 45 minutes and do a toothpick test.
I just made this and it was delicious but did it in the larger recommended pans. I have made a zucchini bread in 5 small (3.5 x 6) pans and used half the time (e.g. 30 min instead of the recommended 60 min). I suspect that this bread is similar if using smaller pans. But would like to know if others have made it in the small pans and how much time at 350 degrees they used.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Love this recipe! Very moist and tasty and easy to make! My family loved it!👏👏👏👍
So happy you all loved it!