If you’re looking for the ultimate pumpkin bread recipe, this is it! Perfectly moist, tender, and packed with real pumpkin flavor, this easy one-bowl recipe comes together in just 10 minutes. No mixer required—just whisk, bake, and enjoy a cozy slice of fall any time of year.
With warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, every bite delivers that classic autumn flavor we crave. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to keep on repeat—whether for breakfast, dessert, or sharing with friends and family.
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Bread
- Super moist & tender – thanks to a full can of pumpkin puree.
- One-bowl recipe – quick prep and easy cleanup.
- Perfect fall flavor – cozy pumpkin spice in every bite.
- Make ahead friendly – stays fresh for days and travels well.
- Customizable – add chocolate chips, nuts, or cranberries.
⭐️ Test Kitchen Approved: “This is the BEST pumpkin bread recipe I’ve ever tried! Always comes out moist, flavorful, and never dry. My family asks for it every fall.” – Maria
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Flour – use all-purpose for the best texture.
- Pumpkin puree – one full 15 oz can (make sure it’s 100% pumpkin, not pie filling).
- Sugar – a mix of granulated and brown sugar for sweetness and moisture.
- Eggs – bind everything together.
- Vegetable oil – keeps the loaf tender and soft.
- Pumpkin spice – or use a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
- Baking soda – gives the bread the perfect rise.
- Vanilla extract – rounds out the flavor.
- Salt – balances sweetness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the pan – Grease a 9×5 loaf pan and line with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix dry ingredients – In one bowl, whisk together flour, pumpkin spice, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix wet ingredients – In a large bowl, whisk pumpkin, sugars, eggs, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
- Combine – Gently stir in the dry mixture until just combined (don’t overmix!).
- Bake – Pour into the pan, smooth the top, and bake at 375°F for 50–55 minutes. Tent with foil halfway through to prevent over-browning.
- Cool & serve – Let rest 10 minutes before removing from the pan. Slice and enjoy warm, or cool completely before storing.
Tips for Success
- Don’t overmix – keeps the texture soft and moist.
- Check early – ovens vary, so start checking at 50 minutes. Toothpick should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool before slicing – allows the bread to set and makes clean slices.
- Double the recipe – it freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
Variations & Add-Ins
- Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Loaf – top with pepitas before baking.
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread – fold in ½ cup chocolate chips.
- Pumpkin Nut Bread – add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Pumpkin Cranberry Bread – stir in dried or fresh cranberries.
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread – swirl sweetened cream cheese into the batter.
- Pumpkin Muffins – bake in a muffin tin for about 18 minutes.
Storage & Freezing
- Room Temperature: Wrap tightly and store up to 4 days.
- Refrigerator: Keeps for up to 1 week.
- Freezer: Wrap slices or the whole loaf in plastic wrap + foil, freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Yield: 8 slices
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50–55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice (or cinnamon)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease and line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment.
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour, pumpkin spice, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk pumpkin, sugars, eggs, oil, and vanilla.
- Gently stir dry ingredients into wet until just combined.
- Pour into prepared pan, smooth the top, and bake 50–55 minutes (cover with foil halfway through).
- Cool 10 minutes, then lift from pan and slice.
✨ Whether enjoyed plain, buttered, or dressed up with mix-ins, this easy pumpkin bread recipe will become your go-to fall bake. Warm, cozy, and packed with pumpkin flavor—it’s the kind of recipe you’ll treasure year after year.