The BEST Pumpkin Bread
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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! It’s a classic recipe will make you two loaves to snack on all fall. Enjoy one loaf now and learn how to freeze the second loaf to enjoy later.
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 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.
Why this recipe works:
- Only requires one bowl!
- Makes two loaves so you can enjoy one and share one or freeze the second loaf.
- Your house will smell like fall!
- Tender, moist and delicious bread with the perfect amount of spice.
Ingredients Needed
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 – Just grab the all-purpose flour for this bread.
- Sugar – We use plain old granulate white sugar.
- Baking soda – Makes it rise!
- Salt
- Cinnamon and Nutmeg – Compliment the pumpkin for the perfect amount of fall spice.
- Pumpkin Puree – Make sure you grab the pumpkin puree in the can not the pumpkin pie filling.
- Vegetable oil – Adds moisture and lightens up the crumb.
- Eggs
Steps to Prepare
- 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 it 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) is stale. Check your expiration date!
How long is it 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.
How to Freeze
Another option is to freeze the 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.
More Pumpkin Recipes!
There are so many fall recipes to make with pumpkin!
- If you still have zucchini to use up from the garden I love the combo of pumpkin and zucchini in this quick Pumpkin Zucchini 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!
WATCH THE STEP BY STEP VIDEO FOR THIS RECIPE BELOW:
If you enjoy watching these videos make sure you subscribe to my YouTube Channel to be notified each time a post a new video!
I’d love it you would rate this recipe!! A five-star rating will make my day!
Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats that way I’m sure to see your pictures!!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Pumpkin Bread
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.
Ashton Grant says
very yummy
Julie says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Lois Hilty says
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.
Julie says
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!
Martha says
Can sweet potato be substituted for the pumpkin?
Julie says
I haven’t tried this but I would think it would work! If you give it a try, let me know how it goes!
Ashley says
I was looking for a new pumpkin bread and this was perfect!
Julie says
Perfect! I’m glad you found it!
Jenn says
Love all the detailed notes and tips for gettin the most perfect pumpkin bread every time! Love this recipe – thanks!
Julie says
You’re welcome! Thanks for trying it – glad you loved it!
Tanya says
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?
Julie says
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!
Mary says
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
Julie says
So happy it was a hit!
Nicole says
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
Julie Evink says
Yes! You need to just divide the ingredients in half and it will make one loaf.
Sally Cagle says
Can you pumpkin pie spices instead?
Julie Evink says
Yes that will work, it might make it taste a bit different but I’m sure it will still be delicious!
Linda says
Does it really need 3 cups of sugar?
Julie Evink says
I have never tested it any other way.
Cheryl says
My thoughts too— cut out a cup! Delish
Cheryl says
Also substituted coconut oil- I think that adds to the sweetness
Julie says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Sola says
I just made this pumpkin bread and it came out delicious and light . It melts in your mouth?
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Nellie Tracy says
I love Pumpkin Bread this time of year! This recipe looks just perfect!
Julie Evink says
It is perfect!
Marjory says
Totally obsessed with pumpkin this time of year and this looks fantastic! I’m thinking of adding some raisins!
Julie Evink says
Me to! Raisins sound great!
Thomas Cody says
I assume you use a 15oz. can of pumpkin. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
Katie says
I love pumpkin bread! (And we all get writer’s block sometimes…:) )
Caroline says
I wouldreally love some that pumpkin bread
a town outside of elmhurst makes delicious breads