This truly is the Best Pumpkin Bread Recipe. I’ve baked all varieties of pumpkin bread, and this one has been my favorite pumpkin bread recipe for over forty years.
What makes this the Best Pumpkin Bread Recipe?
This pumpkin bread turns out perfectly moist and tender every time. There are a lot of spices added in to the ingredients in this bread. Plenty of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves round out the spicy flavor of the pumpkin bread. The recipe makes two loaves. It’s the perfect snack!
My best pumpkin bread recipe calls for 3 cups of sugar and 1 cup of oil. That’s the original recipe that I started with so many years ago. Nowadays, I reduce the sugar to 2 cups and I use 1/2 cup oil and 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce. It still turns out so good with these modifications!
Best Pumpkin Bread Recipe for Gifting:
I’ve used this recipe for gifting for as long as I can remember. It’s the perfect hostess gift for fall parties and holiday gatherings. And when I’m feeling generous, I’ll bake a dozen pumpkin bread loaves and deliver them to neighbors “just because.”
I wrap the pumpkin bread directly in foil, and then I slip it into a gift bag and tie a cute ribbon to close it up. Homemade pumpkin bread makes the perfect gift, and everyone always appreciates the gesture of a gift that’s homemade.
Does this Best Pumpkin Bread recipe freeze well?
This pumpkin bread definitely freezes well. In fact, I always double the recipe when I make it… and then I have one loaf for my family to eat and three loaves to wrap and put in the freezer.
Just wrap the extras directly in foil and keep them in the freezer. When you’re going somewhere special, need to gift a sick friend, or surprise a neighbor with something yummy… you have pumpkin bread that you can take out of your freezer, and it’s ready to gift to someone!
Let this be your go-to favorite Pumpkin Bread Recipe to make all year long, but especially in the fall months. You’ll enjoy it for breakfast and snacks and holidays. And everyone else will be able to enjoy it with you.
If you’re looking for more pumpkin themed recipes, you might also enjoy my Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Squares or these Pumpkin Cake Pops. Pumpkin Gooey Butter Bars, Pumpkin Fudge, and Cream Cheese Filled Pumpkin Bundt Cake are also good pumpkin treats to try!
Best Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 3 cups granulated white sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup vegetable or canola oil (can sub 1/2 unsweetened applesauce)
- 2 cups pure, unsweetened pumpkin puree
- ⅔ cup water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Grease and flour two 9×5-inch loaf pans. You can use 8×5 pans too, but they'll rise quite high while baking.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, spices, baking powder and salt.
- In large bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs and oil.
- Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Add the pumpkin and water and stir until combined.
- Divide the batter between the prepared pans. Bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. It could take an extra 15 minutes, depending on the type of pan you’re using.
Notes
- *If you reduce the sugar to 2 cups and sub 1/2 of the oil for unsweetened applesauce, here is how the nutritional information changes per slice: 274 calories, 46 carb, 4 protein, 8 fat, 1 fiber.
- *Since this recipe yields two loaves, make several batches and deliver them to your neighbors as a fall holiday treat!
- *You may also use 8 mini loaf pans- bake 45 minutes to an hour.
- *This bread freezes well. When cooled, cover with plastic wrap, then foil and freeze until ready to eat. It should keep well in the freezer for several weeks.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Pumpkin bread is an all time favorite of mine and yes the amount of sugar can be reduced and it doesn’t change the texture of the bread or cake, just changes the sweetness of what you are making…I believe that 3 cups is a bit much so when I make this I will use 1/2 of the amount it calls for…thanks for posting can’t wait to make this..
I love pumpkin bread and wanted to find a recipe I could use over and over again. I made it the first time and mixed up my baking soda and baking powder measurements but the bread was still good then I made it correctly and the recipe is to die for. I love it. I took some to work for a pot luck and it was a hit. I’m making another 2 loaves today and I can’t wait. For anyone who wants to know the bread is absolutely delicious!!
Thank you!
Amazing. This bread is amazing. I am throwing out the old recipe for Pumpkin Bread that I used to use. This is a keeper! Thank you for sharing.
I have it baking in the oven right now. Will post comment after first taste. The house smells fabulous!
You’d love your recipe even better if you substituted orange juice for the water.
Lori instead of all the spices can’t I just use Pumpkin Spice instead? Also how much would you recommend. Can’t wait to make this!
Add up the amount of spices and sub the same amount of pumpkin pie spice!
I have this in the oven right now…smells amazing!!! I love all of the spices that you add!
Made this yesterday and took to work today, everybody LOVED it, chose your recipe because it had more spices. I cut nutmeg in half and added ginger as I don’t like nutmeg as well. Did half oil half applesauce and 2 cups of sugar was still sweet enough. Thanks so much!!!! Making it again tonight cause I forgot to save some for my daughter.
Thanks for your reply – I did try it with just 2 cups of sugar and it is mightily delicious – what a fantastic recipe my girls have gone crazy for it, I’m so glad I made the full amount as in the 2 loaves as I nearly halved the recipe, but thought why not make 2 and put one in the freezer, I seriously don’t think the 2nd one will make the freezer though – thanks for a great recipe truly delicious
You’re welcome- it’s great to know that 2 cups of sugar is plenty. I will try it with two next time!
Hi, I just wondered if 3 cups of sugar is too much, I find American baking just too sweet and wondered if reducing the sugar to 2 cups would be ok? Or would you still recommend going the whole 3 cups? Thanks I am really eager to try this recipe it looks delicious
You can certainly try it without as much sugar- it is definitely sweet.