Welcome to your new favorite fall tradition: baking the most incredibly Easy Pumpkin Bread! This delightful recipe delivers a wonderfully moist, flavorful loaf, beautifully crowned with a sweet, crunchy oat streusel topping. Forget the fuss of complex baking; this recipe requires no mixer and uses simple pantry staples, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels. Get ready to fill your home with the warm, inviting aromas of autumn!
There’s something inherently comforting about a slice of homemade pumpkin bread. It transcends age, bringing joy to both young and old alike. This particular Easy Pumpkin Bread recipe is absolutely perfect for embracing the glorious fall season, though its comforting qualities make it a treat you’ll want to enjoy all winter long. The moment it emerges from the oven, its divine aroma captivates, promising a lovely moist base complemented by a subtly sweet, irresistibly crunchy streusel topping. It’s the kind of simple pleasure that makes any day feel a little cozier.
If you’re eager to explore more pumpkin-infused delights, be sure to also try my Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins for a portable treat, and my Baked Pumpkin Donuts for another breakfast or dessert winner!
Why This Easy Pumpkin Bread Will Become Your Go-To Fall Recipe
This isn’t just another pumpkin bread recipe; it’s a celebration of simplicity and sensational flavor. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with it:
- Bursting with Autumnal Flavors: Every bite of this bread is a warm embrace of fall. We don’t just stop at pumpkin puree; a generous amount of classic pumpkin spice infuses the loaf with that quintessential seasonal taste, ensuring a deeply aromatic and perfectly spiced, moist texture that’s simply divine.
- Irresistible Streusel Topping: What elevates this pumpkin bread from great to extraordinary is its magnificent streusel topping. Hearty rolled oats are combined with a touch of flour, sweetened with golden honey, and bound with rich melted butter. Baked to a golden perfection, it creates an addictive, crunchy layer that perfectly contrasts the soft, tender bread below. It’s the crown jewel of this loaf!
- Effortlessly Easy Baking: True to its name, this is genuinely an easy pumpkin bread. You won’t need any fancy equipment – no stand mixer, no hand mixer, just a couple of bowls and a whisk! The ingredients are common pantry staples, meaning you can whip up this comforting treat whenever the craving strikes, with minimal fuss and maximum deliciousness.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s for a cozy breakfast, an afternoon snack with coffee, a potluck, or a thoughtful homemade gift, this pumpkin bread fits every bill. Its comforting nature makes it ideal for sharing or simply indulging yourself.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Pumpkin Bread
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this magical loaf. Most of these items are likely already in your kitchen, making spontaneous baking a breeze!
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundational dry ingredient, providing structure to our moist loaf.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents work in harmony to give the bread its perfect rise and tender crumb.
- Pumpkin Spice: The heart of our fall flavor! This blend typically includes cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, delivering that signature autumnal aroma and taste.
- Pumpkin Puree: Ensure you use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. This provides the essential pumpkin flavor and contributes significantly to the bread’s moistness.
- Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Eggs: Large eggs bind the ingredients, add richness, and contribute to the bread’s structure.
- Brown Sugar: Adds deep, molasses-rich sweetness and extra moisture, resulting in a more tender crumb than white sugar alone.
- Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth batter.
- Vegetable Oil: Contributes to the incredible moistness of the bread, keeping it tender for days.
- Streusel Topping: The star crumble! Made with Rolled Oats (for texture), All-Purpose Flour (for binding), Honey (for natural sweetness and a sticky texture), and Melted Butter (to bring it all together and create that golden crispness).
Simple Steps to Bake Your Best Pumpkin Bread
This recipe is designed for ease and enjoyment. Follow these straightforward steps to create your perfect loaf:
- Prepare Your Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine all your wet ingredients – the eggs, oil, pumpkin puree, milk, and brown sugar. Whisk them thoroughly until they are well combined and smooth. In a separate bowl, sift together your dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin spice, and salt. Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Craft the Streusel Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, honey, and melted butter for the streusel. Use your fingertips or a fork to mix until the ingredients form a crumbly, coarse mixture. This is where the magic crunch comes from!
- Bake to Perfection: Pour your beautifully spiced pumpkin bread batter evenly into your prepared loaf pan. Generously sprinkle the oat streusel mixture over the top of the batter. Place it in your preheated oven and bake for approximately 60 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating it’s perfectly cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the loaf from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. This crucial step helps the bread set and prevents it from crumbling when removed. Then, carefully lift the loaf out using the parchment paper handles and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice, serve, and savor every delicious moment!
Expert Tips for the Best Easy Pumpkin Bread
Even though this recipe is straightforward, a few key tips can ensure your pumpkin bread turns out perfectly every single time:
- Preheat Your Oven Properly: Always preheat your oven to the specified temperature for at least 15-20 minutes before baking. A consistently hot oven ensures even baking and proper leavening.
- Pumpkin Puree vs. Pumpkin Pie Mix: This is crucial! Always buy pure pumpkin puree (usually found in a can in the baking aisle). Pumpkin pie mix contains added sugars and spices, which we don’t want or need in this recipe, as it will alter the flavor balance.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: For a smooth, lump-free batter and even incorporation, ensure your eggs and milk are at room temperature. This helps emulsify the ingredients better and prevents the batter from seizing or forming small clumps.
- Spice it Up (or Down!): The pumpkin spice blend provides a fantastic base. If you love a bolder spice profile, feel free to add a little extra nutmeg, cinnamon, or even a pinch of ground cloves or allspice to your dry ingredients. Remember, a little goes a long way, so taste and adjust to your preference.
- Prepare Your Loaf Pan: For easy removal and minimal cleanup, line your 9×5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Leave an overhang on the longer sides to create “handles” that you can use to lift the baked loaf out effortlessly.
- Check for Doneness: The toothpick test is your best friend! Insert a wooden toothpick into the center of the loaf; if it comes out clean (no wet batter attached), your bread is ready. If it’s still wet, continue baking for a few more minutes and re-test.
- Serve Warm with Butter: While delicious on its own, a warm slice of pumpkin bread with a pat of softened butter is pure, simple bliss. The butter melts into the warm crumb, enhancing its richness.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tough, dense bread instead of a tender, moist one.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Bread
Storing Your Delicious Pumpkin Bread
Proper storage is key to keeping your homemade pumpkin bread fresh and moist. This Easy Pumpkin Bread can be stored in an airtight, resealable container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. For a slightly extended shelf life, you can also store it in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for about 3-4 days. Always ensure it’s completely cooled before storing to prevent condensation, which can make the bread soggy.
Can I Freeze Pumpkin Bread?
Absolutely! This pumpkin bread freezes beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or enjoying a taste of fall long after the season ends. Once the bread has completely cooled, wrap it securely in multiple layers of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To serve, simply thaw the pumpkin bread overnight in the refrigerator, or on the counter for a few hours. You can even warm individual slices slightly in the microwave or oven for a “freshly baked” experience.
Exciting Pumpkin Bread Variations and Add-Ins
One of the best aspects of this Easy Pumpkin Bread recipe is its incredible versatility. While it is absolutely delicious as is, you can easily customize it with various add-ins to suit your preferences or what you have on hand. I recommend incorporating up to 1 cup of total add-ins to maintain the integrity of the batter. Stir these additions in gently after you’ve combined the wet and dry ingredients (after step 3 of the instructions).
- Nuts for Crunch: For an extra layer of texture and nutty flavor, chopped pecans or chopped walnuts are fantastic choices. Toasting them lightly beforehand can enhance their flavor even further.
- Decadent Chocolate Chips: Transform your pumpkin bread into a more indulgent treat with chocolate chips. Semi-sweet chocolate chips offer a classic pairing, while white chocolate chips provide a sweeter, creamier contrast to the pumpkin spice.
- Other Flavorful Chips: Get creative with different chip varieties! Caramel chips will add a buttery, sweet depth, while cinnamon chips will amplify the spice notes, making for an even more aromatic loaf.
- Dried Fruits: For a chewy texture and fruity sweetness, consider adding dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped dried apricots.
More Delightful Fall Recipes to Enjoy
As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, there’s no better time to indulge in comforting, seasonal baking. If you’ve enjoyed this Easy Pumpkin Bread, you’ll surely love these other fall-inspired recipes that promise to warm your heart and delight your taste buds:
- Pumpkin Spice Pancakes with Chocolate Chips: Start your day with fluffy pancakes infused with pumpkin spice and studded with sweet chocolate.
- Pumpkin Spice French Toast: Elevate your breakfast with slices of bread soaked in a pumpkin-spiced custard and griddled to perfection.
- Waffles With Candied Walnuts: Crispy, golden waffles topped with irresistible candied walnuts make for an amazing brunch.
- Pumpkin Pancake Bites: A fun, bite-sized twist on classic pumpkin pancakes, perfect for kids and parties.
I truly hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, especially this utterly delicious and Easy Pumpkin Bread recipe. It’s a labor of love to bring these comforting flavors to your kitchen. I encourage you to try it, savor every bite, and share your experience with friends and family!
If you bake this recipe and love it as much as I do, please use my hashtag to share your creation with me on INSTAGRAM for a chance to be featured in my story! Also, be sure to follow Cookin’ With Mima on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST for all my latest social posts, kitchen tips, and delicious recipes.
Print Recipe
Easy Pumpkin Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 2 ½ tsp pumpkin spice
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
Oats Streusel
- 1/3 cup rolled oats
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, pumpkin puree, milk, and brown sugar until thoroughly combined and smooth.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin spice, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Optional: Prepare the streusel topping. In a separate medium bowl, combine the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, honey, and melted butter. Mix with your fingertips or a fork until a crumbly texture forms.
- Pour the pumpkin bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. If using, sprinkle the streusel mixture evenly over the top of the batter.
- Bake for approximately 60 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
- Remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. Then, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the loaf out and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving, perhaps with a pat of butter.
Notes
- Always use a preheated oven for even baking results.
- Ensure you purchase pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie mix, to control the flavors and avoid unwanted additives.
- Using room temperature ingredients helps prevent the batter from breaking and ensures everything incorporates smoothly.
- Adjust pumpkin spice levels to your preference by adding a little more nutmeg or cinnamon if desired, but avoid overdoing it to maintain balance.
- Lining your loaf pan with parchment paper makes for easy removal and significantly less cleanup.
- The toothpick test is reliable: if it comes out clean from the center, your loaf is perfectly baked.
- Serve warm with a simple pat of butter for an enhanced deliciousness.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
Serving: 8g | Calories: 430kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 270mg | Potassium: 257mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 6084IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 3mg
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