There’s something timeless about pumpkin bread – moist, tender, and warmly spiced, it’s one of those comforting baked goods that makes your whole home smell like fall. Whether served with a cup of coffee on a chilly morning or wrapped up as a homemade gift, this quick bread is as versatile as it is delicious.
At its core, pumpkin bread is simple. You’ll need pumpkin purée (canned or homemade), flour, sugar, eggs, oil or butter, and a cozy mix of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. The beauty of this loaf is in how easily it comes together, no yeast, no complicated techniques, just mix, pour, and bake.
What makes pumpkin bread so beloved is its balance of texture and flavor. The inside is incredibly moist, thanks to the pumpkin and fat, while the outside forms a light, golden crust. Every slice is sweet but not too sugary, making it a great option for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert.
Pumpkin bread is endlessly customizable. Add-ins like chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans), chocolate chips, or dried cranberries can take it to the next level. For a crunchy topping, sprinkle raw sugar or streusel over the batter before baking. Want to make it healthier? Sub whole wheat flour, reduce the sugar, or use Greek yogurt for extra protein and richness.
One loaf is never enough, this bread stores beautifully and even tastes better the next day. It also freezes well, so you can make a few batches in advance and pull one out when guests arrive or cravings hit.
Whether you’re baking for your family, bringing something to a fall potluck, or just enjoying a quiet weekend at home, pumpkin bread is the ultimate cozy bake. It’s the smell of autumn in your kitchen, the taste of comfort in every bite, and a tradition that never gets old.
Nutritional Value of Pumpkin Bread
Pumpkins are rich in nutrients, providing a range of health benefits:
- Weight Management: Pumpkin is low in calories and high in fiber, which helps promote feelings of fullness and aids in weight management.
- Eye Health: Pumpkin is a good source of vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining healthy vision.
- Immune Support: Vitamin C and other antioxidants present in pumpkin can help boost the immune system.
- Heart Health: The fiber, potassium, and vitamin C in pumpkins can contribute to heart health by reducing blood pressure and promoting cardiovascular function.
Healthier Approach
To make your pumpkin bread even healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Whole Grains: Use whole wheat flour or a mix of whole wheat and all-purpose flour to increase the fiber content and add more nutrients.
- Natural Sweeteners: Substitute some or all of the refined sugars with healthier alternatives such as maple syrup, honey, or mashed bananas.
- Reduced Fat Content: Replace some of the oil or butter with unsweetened applesauce or Greek yogurt to reduce overall fat content.
- Added Nutritional Boost: Incorporate ingredients like flaxseeds, chia seeds, or chopped nuts for additional fiber, healthy fats, and vitamins.
With these adjustments, you can enjoy a delicious and healthier version of pumpkin bread without sacrificing taste or texture.

Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg ground
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. In a separate bowl, mix together pumpkin, vegetable oil, white sugar, brown sugar, and eggs. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just blended. Pour into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.
Really good recipe! I added some nuts and raisins too, yum! 😋
Sounds delicious! Nuts and raisins are great adds. I might try that next time! 😊
I found this recipe too sweet. Maybe try less sugar next time? Not what I expected…
Pumpkin bread?! I thought this was pumpkin CAKE! But it’s alright, still tasty I guess.
I just baked this and the house smells heavenly! Can’t wait to slice it! 🥰
Eh, not my favorite. The spices were too strong, maybe I’ll try using less next time.
LOVE this! I’m making it for Thanksgiving! 🦃🥧
I followed the recipe exactly, but it just didn’t rise… What did I do wrong?!
Delicious! This pumpkin bread is a fall favorite in my house. I made it twice already!
I’m glad you love it! I made it last week and everyone devoured it in no time. Definitely a keeper!
Twice already? Wow, that’s a lot of pumpkin bread! How do you not get tired of it? 🤔
My grandma used to make this, but I always thought it was too spicy. The cloves are overkill! 🤔
I was really skeptical about the canned pumpkin, but this recipe changed my mind. So moist!
Pumpkin bread is just bread with a vegitable 🤷♂️. This recipe is ok, but not wow.
I think pumpkin bread is amazing! It might just be bread, but it’s sooo good! The spices make it warm and yummy. 😋
Too sweet for my taste! I think I would cut back on the sugar next time.
Easy recipe, but mine turned out super dry. What did I do wrong??
Nice instructions, but I burned it… Oops! Next time I’ll keep an eye on it.
Pumpkin? I thought it was chocolate bread. Can I substitute chocolate for pumpkin? 🤔
I mean, you can try it, but it might taste weird. Pumpkin gives it moisture that chocolate won’t. 🙄
Tasty! But really had a hard time mixing it. I’m not a great baker. Can someone help me with mixing tips?
I’m not much of a baker but gave this a shot. It was super easy and turned out great! Will make again.
I tried this too, but it came out dry. Maybe my oven’s off? 🤔
So happy to hear that! Pumpkin bread is one of my favorites. 😊
Love ❤️! So yummy, I’m eating it with cream cheese spread right now. Perfect for breakfast!
Okay but why is there no chocolate in this? Can someone add some chocolate?
I don’t know, it seems too sweet to me. I think I might cut down on the sugar next time.
This bread turned out amazing! So moist and flavorful, my family loved it. Will definitely make it again!
So glad to hear it! Pumpkin bread is the best, especially when it’s moist. What do you usually pair it with?
It’s just okay, not super special. Could use more spices maybe? I don know….
This pumpkin bread is absolutely delicious! Perfectly moist and flavorful. I added some chocolate chips for fun!
I think it could use more pumpkin flavor. Next time I’ll add more canned pumpkin.
That’s a good idea! I always add extra pumpkin too, makes it taste more like fall! 🍂
But how much more pumpkin? Don’t want it too soggy. 🤔
Sorry but this isn’t how you make bread. Bread takes time. This is like a quick cake.
Yum! Smells like fall! 🍂 Definitely a 5-star recipe!
This is the best pumpkin bread I’ve ever made! Makes me happy thinking about autumn.
Best pumpkin bread? Really? I’ve tried better ones that didn’t use canned pumpkin at all! 🤔
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Autumn flavors really make everything better.
This pumpkin bread is delicious! I added some chocolate chips and it turned out amazing! Definitely making again!
Looks good, but I’m skeptical about pumpkin and chocolate! Isn’t that kinda weird?
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Pumpkin and chocolate is such a great combo! You should try adding nuts next time too.
This pumpkin bread is delicious! I made it for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it! 5 stars!
I found it a bit too sweet for my taste. Maybe cut down on the sugar next time?
I totally agree! It’s super sweet. I think reducing the sugar would really help balance the flavors.
But isn’t pumpkin bread supposed to be sweet? I think it’s fine the way it is. Just add some butter!
Followed the recipe but mine came out dense and kinda heavy. Did I mix it too much??
Tastes fine, but it didn’t rise much. Is that normal? Just wondering.
I think it depends on the recipe. Too much liquid or not enough baking powder can do that. Did you measure everything right?
It’s normal for pumpkin bread to not rise as much as other breads. The pumpkin adds density. Yours probably tastes great!
Yum! Smells amazing while baking! I added walnuts and it made it even better! 5!
You sure you put the right amount of baking powder? Mine didn’t rise well… 😕
Pumpkin in bread? Is that a thing? I thought it was just for pies. Anyway, my kids liked it.
OK, but what’s a loaf pan? Can I use any pan? Just curious…
I don’t know what a loaf pan is either but I reckon maybe a cake pan could work? Just don’t know if itll look right, haha.
A loaf pan is just a pan that’s shaped like a loaf, usually rectangular! You can use other pans too, but the shape might change the baking time. 😊
Um, I forgot to put sugar and it was still okay, kinda sweet from the pumpkin I guess? Weird!
Is it really necessary to use pumpkin from a can? I thought fresh is better? Just saying.
I made this but forgot the baking powder… ended up with a brick instead of bread. 😅
Delicious bread! More pumpkin spice please! 🎃
Totally agree! I love pumpkin spice! Can’t get enough! 🍂
Isn’t pumpkin spice a bit overrated? Just a thought… 🤔
It’s just pumpkin bread, not like it’s a gourmet meal or anything. Meh.
I don’t know, sounds like a lot of sugar for just bread. It can’t be that simple, right?
But pumpkin bread is super tasty! It’s all about the spices and the cozy vibe. Give it a try! 😋
YUM YUM YUM!! 10/10 would recommend to a friend!!!
Best pumpkin bread recipe ever! Even my picky kids loved it. Will definitely make it again!
This sounds amazing! I’m going to try it this weekend. My kids are also picky eaters, so fingers crossed!
I’ve tried other pumpkin bread recipes that were better. Maybe it just didn’t turn out right for me.