Our easy Pumpkin Bread is one of our favorite fall quick breads because it bakes up soft, moist, and full of spice. It’s made with pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger, then finished with a simple cinnamon sugar topping that makes each slice extra sweet.
We love that this recipe makes two loaves, which is perfect for keeping one at home and sharing one with a friend or neighbor. It’s great for breakfast, snacks, dessert, holiday gifting, or freezing for later.
For more pumpkin, try our Pumpkin Cupcakes and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Why you’ll love it + Why it works:
- Change it up. Easily adapt with various flavors and mix-ins such as chocolate chips, cinnamon chips, or nuts.
- Freezer-friendly. Make ahead and store in the freezer, for a pumpkin treat any time!
- Pumpkin + oil keep it moist. This combo helps the bread stay soft and tender.
- Warm spices add classic flavor. Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger give every slice cozy fall flavor.
Pumpkin Bread Ingredients
- Pumpkin puree (1 can, 15 ounces): Adds pumpkin flavor, moisture, and pretty fall color.
- Eggs (4): Helps bind the batter and give the loaves structure.
- Vegetable oil (1 cup): Keeps the bread soft, moist, and tender.
- Water (⅔ cup): Adds moisture and helps create the right batter consistency.
- Sugar (3 cups): Sweetens the bread and helps keep the crumb soft.
- All-purpose flour (3½ cups): Gives the loaves structure.
- Baking soda (2 teaspoons): Helps the bread rise.
- Salt (1½ teaspoons): Balances the sweetness and brings out the spices.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Adds warm classic pumpkin bread flavor.
- Ground nutmeg (1 teaspoon): Adds spice and depth.
- Ground cloves (½ teaspoon): Adds bold fall spice flavor.
- Ground ginger (¼ teaspoon): Adds a little warmth and brightness.
Topping
- Sugar (3 tablespoons) – Creates the sweet topping for both loaves.
- Ground cinnamon (½ tablespoon) – Adds warm flavor to the cinnamon sugar topping.
How to Make Easy Pumpkin Bread
PREP. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease and flour two 5×9-inch loaf pans.
BATTER. In a large bowl, mix pumpkin puree, eggs, vegetable oil, water, and sugar until well blended.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
- Combine the flour mixture with the pumpkin mixture and stir until just blended. Pour evenly into the prepared pans.
TOPPING. Combine sugar and cinnamon and mix well. Sprinkle the mixture over the top of the bread mixture in the pans before baking.
BAKE. Tent with foil and bake for 75–80 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Serve this easy pumpkin bread warm, or let cool before serving.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Stir the batter just until blended so the bread stays tender.
- Tent with foil as directed so the tops do not brown too much before the centers are done.
- If you wish, replace the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger with an equal amount of Pumpkin Pie Spice.
- Quick bread is famous for splitting on top. As the steam from the center pushes its way up to the top and it splits the crust open to escape.
- To make muffins, fill the muffin liners ⅔ full and bake at 350°F for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Optional mix-ins include chocolate chips, cinnamon chips, white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or chopped pecans or walnuts.
Easy Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Equipment
Video
Ingredients
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- ⅔ cup water
- 3 cups sugar
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
Topping
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease and flour two 5×9-inch loaf pans and set aside.
- To make bread, mix pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water, and sugar in a large bowl until well blended.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Combine dry ingredients with the pumpkin mixture and stir until just blended. Pour evenly into the prepared pans.
- To make the topping, combine the sugar and cinnamon. Mix well. Sprinkle topping evenly over the top of both loaves.
- Tent with foil and bake for 75–80 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Serve warm, or let cool before serving.
Notes
- This recipe calls for a can of pumpkin puree and NOT canned pumpkin pie filling. You can also try Making Pumpkin Puree.
- If you wish, you can replace the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger with an equal amount of Pumpkin Pie Spice.
- Quick bread is famous for splitting on top. As the steam from the center pushes its way up to the top and it splits the crust open to escape.
- To make muffins, fill the muffin liners ⅔ full and bake at 350°F for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Optional mix-ins include chocolate chips, cinnamon chips, white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or chopped pecans or walnuts.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Remove the pumpkin loaf from the pan and let it cool completely. Wrap in plastic wrap and store in a Ziploc bag on the counter up to 2 days or 1 week in the refrigerator.
Let the pumpkin bread cool. Wrap it in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag or wrap it again with aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months
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This recipe was originally published October 2013.
Very easy to follow
I had my doubts about trying this pumpkin bread because it did not call for baking powder. Oh my! Was I wrong!!!! I politely ordered Kristyn’s cookbook after making this recipe. We all loved this bread, and it rose to a beautiful size! 😊
This is my new go to recipe for pumpkin bread. Delicious flavor of freshly puréed pumpkin is the star of the show, ensemble cast allows it to shine. Tender texture, delectable crumb. Cinnamon sugar topping is crowning glory.
Absolutely delicious! I put walnuts on top of one of the loaves. It’s amazing both ways! So moist… the perfect fall treat!
I know this recipe is getting ready reviews from everybody else but it certainly didn’t work for us.
We didn’t like the sugar cinnamon topping as a tasted a little bit burnt and the overall flavor was unimpressive.
Try try again!
Thanks for the feedback and for giving the recipe a try!
I’ve made this recipe twice and am having trouble with the middle of the bread cooking 😞
Sorry to hear that. If the middle of the bread is still battery and wet, it just means it wasn’t baked for long enough to allow the center to cook. If the outside of the bread is getting too brown while the center isn’t done, tent a piece of tin foil over the top and bake until the center is finished. You can test for doneness by poking a cake tester or toothpick or wooden skewer into the center of the bread. If it comes out clean, it’s done. Hope that helps!
Any suggestions on substituting the sugar with Splenda?
I haven’t personally tried swapping with splenda in this recipe, but I believe you could try cup for cup. You’ll have to let us know how it turns out if you do.
This pumpkin bread was perfection. My family loved it, we even added some chocolate chips the second time we made it, and we loved it! Such a nice sweet treat to have on hand.
Okay NEW FAVORITE. I love this so much. Thanks for sharing!
This pumpkin bread is AMAZING yall!! my kids didn’t even leave enough for my husband! So yummy!
So good!!
BEST pumpkin bread recipe! With all the spices in this, it is sure to be a favorite! I love making this bread for the holidays.
Made this recipe and it was a hit in my family! I added chocolate chips to one of the breads and it was yummy!
Made this 2 weeks ago… froze 1 used the other 2 immediately… so easy and tastes so good. Everyone loved it it was so moist and flavorful. Best recipe I have tried for pumpkin bread
Oh thank you so much!! I’m so happy to hear you loved the recipe!
Best ever!!
Thank you!!
Easy recipe that is delish!! My 12 year old made it with no problems! I would definitely recommend!
The best pumpkin bread ever! I threw all my other recipes out! I made a bunch of little loaves and gave them to family and friends. They all loved this bread!
It makes great gifts! Thank you!
This Pumpkin Bread really is packed with so much DELICIOUS flavor! I am in love with the cinnamon sugar topping!
This is the most moist bread! My family loved it! I will be using this recipe again for sure!
Love this bread! So easy and tasty.
I am happy to hear! Thank you so much!
This is the best pumpkin bread recipe ever! It always turns out, and tastes amazing!
Thank you for saying that!! It’s one of our favorites!!
If I choose to make anything with pumpkin its usually bread or pie. To of ouR favorite Go to desserts. You cant go wrong with this recipe full of pumpkin and spices. Easy to make too!
This bread was amazing!! it is so soft & has the perfect amount of pumpkin. I am always afraid to try breads, but I love that this recipe doesn’t require yeast! It was so easy!
I would like to make one loaf in the 9 x 5 standard loaf pan. Should I cut the recipe in half and how long would I cook it for?
hey girl- this looks so yummy!
Thanks Shawna!!
Made this last night, absolutely delicious!! Amazing recipe!! 🙂
I found your recipe on pinterest and just made this pumpkin bread….delicious! I used applesauce in place of half of the oil and added some mini chocolate chips. I think chocolate chips make everything a little yummier! Thanks for the good recipe!
The recipe calls for 3 7×3 pans – can you use an average size loaf pan, like 9×5?
Yes, and it will probably just make two. Not sure on the cooking time so I would just cook a tid longer but keep and eye on it. 🙂
Can I use my frozen pumpkin for this?
Not for sure, but I would just let t thaw completely and then use it. 🙂
Yay! I’ve been looking for a great pumpkin bread recipe, and this looks great! Thanks 🙂
You will definitely love it, Nessa! Let me know if you end up trying it. 🙂
The last time I made this recipe I used half white sugar and half light brown sugar… Very Yummy!! I also like to sprinkle some sparkling sugar on top, the course sugar gives it a nice crunch..
Oooh, sounds so good! I’ve never tried sparkling sugar. Sounds like I need to get some. 🙂
Can u use apple sauce instead of oil?
You sure could. Equal measurements 🙂
So when do you sprinkle on the cinnamon and sugar on top? and how much?
Just added it, Whitney. 🙂