Easy Pumpkin Bread Recipe

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Easy Pumpkin Bread recipe is a no-fail quick bread that has a simple pumpkin flavor. It makes two loaves so you can give one for a gift!

a sliced loaf of pumpkin bread

Have you realized that in the past recipes Mom and I have posted, there is more than one main flavor? Like the Chocolate Chip Pecan Pumpkin Roll. Pumpkin. Chocolate. Cream Cheese. 3 flavors.

I’m not saying that’s bad at all, but there is a time for multiple flavors and a time for just one flavor. The flavor I’m going to focus on today is pumpkin. Just simply pumpkin. No chocolate, peanut butter, nuts, nothing but pumpkin.  

What home bakers are saying:

โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ Reader Kris says, โ€œThis recipe is one of my favorite things to bake. I love how moist it is, and that the pumpkin flavor isnโ€™t covered up with other stuff. I made a couple loaves for Thanksgiving this year and I know itโ€™ll be a hit. ๐Ÿ™‚โ€

โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ Reader Holli says, โ€œI have tried many many pumpkin bread recipes, and I always go back to this one. It tastes incredible every single time I make it. So easy. My toddler loves it just as much as us! And a plus it makes two loaves so we keep one and give the other to family! So so good! Thank you!!โ€

โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ Reader Carla says, โ€œMade this today and itโ€™s absolutely delicious! I used to eat the one from Starbucks all the time and this is even better! I only used 1.5 cups of sugar (mix of cane and brown sugar instead of granulated) and added mini chocolate chips. My kids love itโ€ฆdonโ€™t think the second load is going to make it as a gift! ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe!โ€

Why you’ll love this easy pumpkin bread recipe:

  • Better than Starbucks Pumpkin Bread. Yes…it’s true! If you’ve fallen in love with that delicious Starbucks pumpkin bread…try this recipe for pumpkin bread. It’s delicious, cheap and you can make this quick bread recipe yourself whenever the craving hits!
  • This is the best pumpkin bread recipe. It is so moist, rich, and pumpkin-y. Even on the second, third, and fourth day (if it makes it that long), you can still cut a slice, warm it up with some butter and it tastes just as amazing as it did fresh from the oven.
  • This Pumpkin Bread is the perfect treat for breakfast or for a snack any time of day. You literally can’t get away from it.
  • This easy pumpkin bread recipe makes two loaves, one for eating and one for giving. Or save both for yourself if you’d like! Pumpkin bread lasts about 1 week when stored in the refrigerator.

What ingredients are in pumpkin bread?

  • Oil. Coconut oil is great in this bread, but vegetable and canola oil both work, too!
  • Granulated sugar. To keep the pumpkin flavor central, I used plain white sugar.
  • Large eggs.
  • Vanilla extract.
  • Solid pack pumpkin. Don’t buy pumpkin pie filling. That is already sweetened and flavored with pumpkin spice. Use pure pumpkin.
  • All-purpose flour. This also works with all-purpose gluten free flour.
  • Salt, baking soda, baking powder. Do you do most of your baking during the holiday season? Check to see if your baking soda and baking powder are still fresh.
  • Ground cinnamon and pumpkin spice. Pumpkin spice has cinnamon in it, but I’m always a fan of more cinnamon.

What makes this pumpkin loaf so moist? The oil, eggs and pumpkin puree all work together to create a deliciously moist bread. It’s almost cake-like and makes fantastic pumpkin spice muffins too!

Before you begin…

For the best results, mix the wet ingredients together, then the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Yes, it does take two bowls but by doing this and adding the flour to the wet ingredients pre-mixed, you’ll be sure not to over mix the batter. Mix just until combined to ensure you have a soft, fluffy loaf of bread.

How to Make Pumpkin Bread

You’ll love this pumpkin quick bread recipe because it is very simple to make.

  • In a medium-size bowl, mix together the oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla and canned pumpkin in a large bowl. Set aside.
pumpkin, eggs, oil and sugar in a bowl, unmixed
  1. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice.
  2. Add the pumpkin mixture to the flour mixture and mix just until combined. Do not over mix.
dry ingredients over pumpkin mixture in a bowl

pumpkin bread batter in a bowl
  1. Grease and flour two 8 ½ x 4 1/2″ loaf pans. Divide the batter between the two pans.
  2. Bake at 325 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning onto a wire rack to cool completely.
two loaves of easy pumpkin bread in pans

Pumpkin Bread Variations:

This is a simple pumpkin bread recipe with a hint of pumpkin spice. Wanting your pumpkin bread to have more flavor? Try one of these!

  • If you love chocolate chips and pumpkins together, throw in 1 ½ or 2 cups of chocolate chips (we prefer mini chocolate chips). Fold into the batter after it is mixed and bake as described below.
  • Add in 1 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter…or simply sprinkle them on top.
  • Add in homemade cinnamon chips. You’ll thank me later.
  • Make a powdered sugar glaze icing, but stir in a ½ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, then drizzle the loaves with the glaze. Amazing.
a sliced loaf of pumpkin bread with powdered sugar on top

Can I freeze homemade pumpkin bread?

Yes! Be sure the bread loaves are completely cooled before wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap.

Wrap the bread again in foil or slip the loaves into a zippered plastic bag before freezing. You can store pumpkin bread in the freezer for 2-3 months.

When you are ready to defrost it, remove the loaf from the refrigerator and let it thaw before unwrapping the bread. This will ensure all of the moisture stays in the bread!

This recipe also makes excellent pumpkin muffins.

Other Pumpkin Recipes

Have leftover pumpkin that you need to use up? Try one of these:

Have ripe bananas? You may also love my grandma’s banana bread. It’s based off this recipe so is incredibly moist.

closeup of pumpkin bread slices on a plate
closeup of pumpkin bread slices on a plate

Easy Pumpkin Bread Recipe

4.60 from 247 votes
This Easy Pumpkin Bread is a quick no-fail bread that has a simple pumpkin flavor. It makes two loaves so you can give one for a gift!
Servings 20
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour

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Ingredients
 

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 325ยบF. Grease and flour two 8 1/2x 4 1/2" loaf pans. Line with parchment paper for easy removal if desired.
  • In a medium-size bowl, mix together the oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla and pumpkin in a bowl. Set aside. 1 cup coconut oil , 2 cups granulated sugar,3 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 2 cups solid pack pumpkin
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined. Do not overmix. Divide the mixture between the two pans.
  • Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick (or cake tester) inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean. If the bread looks like it is getting too brown, cover loosely with aluminum foil for the rest of baking.
  • Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Sprinkle the top with powdered sugar, if desired.

Video

Notes

  • If you are using coconut oil, be sure you’ve warmed it to be in its liquid form.
  • For more flavor, double the pumpkin spice or add ground nutmeg, ginger or cloves.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
The calories shown are based on the each loaf being cut into 10 pieces, with 1 serving being 1 slice of bread. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate.

Nutrition

Calories: 176kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 183mg | Potassium: 121mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 3855IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1.4mg
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Calories 176
Keyword breakfast bread, pumpkin dessert, pumpkin spice, quick bread recipe
About JulieJulie Clark

About Julie Clark

I'm Julie Clark, CEO and recipe developer of Tastes of Lizzy T. With my B.A. in Education and over 30 years of cooking and baking, I want to teach YOU the best of our family recipes.

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4.60 from 247 votes (223 ratings without comment)
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Ellie
6 months ago

5 stars
I think that this is the best recipe ever! It is my go to whenever I am feeling something yummy.

KAREN
1 year ago

Love this pumpkin bread recipe! Like some others on here, I wanted to reduce the calories so instead of 2 cups of sugar I used 1 1/2 cups and instead of 1 cup of oil I used 1/2 cup of oil and 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce. Switching out oil for applesauce can make a bread denser, but not with this recipe. The breads are moist, with a lovely taste of pumpkin and just the right amount of spice. I rarely keep recipes, preferring to try different ones, but this is definitely a keeper and one I will be making… Read more »

Tiff
1 year ago

5 stars
It is my favorite pumpkin bread recipe. I have used it for three years now. I only use this recipe. It is perfect and simple. I love cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice, so double those in the recipe.