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.
Made this in a bundt pan and added a chocolate ganache frosting. So good!!!
wow!
Again, I am making my favorite pumpkin bread recipe. It has become a staple in my arsenal of very few recipes I make with great passion. I love this recipe and it has become the treat my family looks forward to. I started off with only one loaf pan and recently bought a second because pumpkin bread is all I have ever made in them and I was tired of having to wait another hour to have the next loaf ready after the family devoured the first. LOL.
Looks wonderful. Any idea about modifications needed for altitude? I live at about 4700 ft, would hate to have the bread fall.
I’m at 5875 feet, and here is how I modify: 2 cups sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda, reduce the baking powder by just a tiny bit, and add 1 tablespoon water.
Yum!! I love love love pumpkin bread – this sounds like a lovely recipe!
I have the exact same recipe in my family book! Love this bread it is a regular in my home for snacks and dessert!
What would you substitute for eggs? The potato flour? I might have to experiment on this one. My son is allergic to eggs.
It is interesting that you asked this question because I just made this with no eggs for a friend of ours who was visiting. I used Ener-G egg replacer. It worked great.
Is this really 3 cups of sugar, or is it a misprint?
yes, the original recipe calls for 3 cups of sugar for two loaves. You’ll see in the notes on the recipe that I now make it with 2 cups and it still turns out perfect. Might be able to reduce it further too.
I make a very similar recipe but use orange juice instead of water and a little less sugar than called for. It is also amazing with chocolate chips!
I still think 1/2 cup of oil is too much, would it work if I substituted 3/4 greek yogurt, and 1/4 cup oil?
I’d probably use 3/4 cup applesauce and 1/4 cup oil. But I do need to let you know that I have not tried that combo, so I can’t say for sure that all will turn out perfect.
Is there something I can substitute for cinnamon? I’m not supposed to have cinnamon.
What do you usually sub for cinnamon then? I guess I’d go with using all of the other spices and leave out the cinnamon.