There is something truly magical about this Moist Spiced Baked Pumpkin Bread Recipe that instantly makes your kitchen feel warm and inviting. Packed with cozy spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and enriched with velvety pumpkin puree, this bread is irresistibly soft and flavorful. It’s the perfect treat for any time you crave a slice of autumn comfort that’s not only delicious but unbelievably easy to make.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, pantry-friendly ingredients makes this Moist Spiced Baked Pumpkin Bread Recipe a breeze to whip up. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, enhancing the bread’s moist texture, deep flavor, and inviting aroma.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure and body necessary for the perfect loaf without overpowering the pumpkin flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the tender crumb of the bread.
- Light brown sugar: Brings a subtle caramel note that elevates the depth of flavor wonderfully.
- Baking soda: Leavens the bread, ensuring it rises beautifully and stays light.
- Ground cinnamon: The star spice that adds warmth and a familiar, comforting aroma.
- Ground nutmeg: Gives a gentle hint of nuttiness and a touch of sweetness.
- Ground cloves: Adds complexity with its rich, slightly sweet and spicy undertones.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavor notes, balancing sweetness and spice.
- Pumpkin puree: The heart of the recipe, delivering moistness and that signature pumpkin taste without heaviness.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the bread incredibly tender and moist for days.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide structure.
- Water: Lightens the batter and helps achieve the perfect consistency.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a sweet, floral hint that complements the spices beautifully.
How to Make Moist Spiced Baked Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This preheating step is key for an even bake. Lightly grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to make removing your bread effortless once baked. This small prep step saves time later and keeps the bread’s edges from sticking.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
Next, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Combining these dry ingredients thoroughly ensures every bite is evenly flavored and your loaf has a consistent texture.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients Separately
In another bowl, blend the pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, eggs, water, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully incorporated. This step creates a luscious base that will keep the bread moist and impart that irresistible pumpkin richness.
Step 4: Gently Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry, stirring with care until just combined. It’s super important not to overmix here; overworking the batter can lead to a denser loaf. The batter will be thick and slightly sticky, which is exactly what you want for tender bread.
Step 5: Pour Batter Into the Prepared Pan
Transfer the thick batter into your loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure even baking. This simple step helps your bread bake uniformly and look beautifully inviting once it’s finished.
Step 6: Bake Until a Toothpick Comes Out Clean
Bake your bread for 55 to 65 minutes in the preheated oven. To check doneness, insert a toothpick into the center — it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. This timing creates a loaf that’s perfectly baked: moist inside with a tender crust.
Step 7: Cool in the Pan Briefly
Once out of the oven, let the bread sit in the pan for about 10 minutes. This short cooling period helps it set, preventing it from crumbling when you transfer it next.
Step 8: Transfer to a Wire Rack to Cool Completely
Finally, move your bread onto a wire rack and let it cool fully before slicing and serving. Cooling fully lets the flavors meld and ensures your slices hold together nicely.
How to Serve Moist Spiced Baked Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar or a smear of honey butter elevates each slice beautifully. For a truly indulgent touch, a spread of cream cheese frosting brings a tangy sweetness that pairs perfectly with the warm spices.
Side Dishes
This pumpkin bread shines alongside a hot cup of coffee or chai tea, making it a perfect morning or afternoon pick-me-up. It’s also wonderful with a bowl of creamy soup, balancing savory and sweet flavors delightfully.
Creative Ways to Present
For entertaining, serve slices of this Moist Spiced Baked Pumpkin Bread Recipe stacked with layers of mascarpone cheese and cranberry preserves to create mini dessert sandwiches. You can also toast leftover slices lightly and top them with a drizzle of maple syrup and toasted pecans for an easy, fancy treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover pumpkin bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This helps retain moisture so each slice tastes fresh and soft.
Freezing
If you want to keep your bread longer, slice it first, then freeze the slices individually in a sealed freezer bag. This allows you to defrost single servings as needed without losing any of the bread’s wonderful texture or flavor.
Reheating
To bring your pumpkin bread back to life, warm a slice in the microwave for about 15 seconds or toast it lightly for a crisp exterior with a soft, warm center. Adding a pat of butter or cream cheese after reheating makes it even more enjoyable.
FAQs
Can I use canned pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?
It’s best to stick with plain pumpkin puree for this recipe because pumpkin pie filling contains added sugars and spices, which can throw off the flavor balance of the bread.
Is it possible to make this bread gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum to maintain structure, and your bread will turn out just as moist and delicious.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips to this pumpkin bread?
Definitely! Toss in about half a cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips to the batter before baking for added texture and bursts of flavor.
How do I know when the pumpkin bread is fully baked?
The best way is to insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean or with only a few crumbs, it’s ready. Baking times can vary slightly between ovens, so this test is your best friend.
Can I double the recipe to make two loaves?
Yes, doubling the ingredients to bake two loaves at once works perfectly. Just make sure to bake them in separate pans and keep an eye on the baking time, which might be slightly longer depending on your oven.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one recipe guaranteed to make you fall in love with homemade pumpkin bread, it’s this Moist Spiced Baked Pumpkin Bread Recipe. From its rich, comforting spices to its irresistibly moist texture, each bite is like a warm hug from the inside. Trust me, once you try it, it will quickly become your go-to pumpkin treat to brighten up any day. So, preheat your oven and get ready to fill your home with the delicious aroma of autumn!
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Moist Spiced Baked Pumpkin Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (approximately 10 to 12 slices)
- Category: Baked Goods
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Moist Spiced Baked Pumpkin Bread is a warm and comforting treat perfect for fall or any time you crave a tender, flavorful quick bread. Packed with aromatic spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and enriched with pumpkin puree, this loaf is delightfully moist and lightly sweetened with both granulated and brown sugar. Easy to prepare and bake, it’s an ideal snack or breakfast option that pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or tea.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt until well combined and evenly distributed.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, eggs, water, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or spoon just until combined. The batter will be thick; avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top evenly with a spatula.
- Bake the Bread: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55 to 65 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the bread is ready.
- Cool in Pan: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set.
- Cool Completely: Carefully transfer the bread onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This prevents crumbling and allows flavors to develop fully.
Notes
- Use pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to control the sweetness and spice level.
- Do not overmix the batter; this helps keep the bread moist and tender.
- You can add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for added texture if desired.
- Store leftover pumpkin bread wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- For longer storage, freeze the bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 3 months.
