Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Cook Time: 50 minutes

This pumpkin bread recipe is a perfect treat for fall! It makes two moist, flavorful loaves the ideal way to use up that pumpkin puree youve been stocking up on all autumn. Whether youre dreaming about pumpkin bread or already have the scent of it wafting through your home, this recipe will definitely hit the spot.

Its incredibly easy to prepare, and you dont even need an electric mixer (though it can certainly help). Simply whisk the wet ingredients, mix the dry ingredients, and combine them to make a smooth batter. Pour it into two loaf pans and bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Enjoy the process and the delicious outcome!

The best part? This recipe yields two loaves, so you can enjoy one right away and freeze the other for later or share one with a neighbor as a thoughtful gift!

Ingredients:

  • 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • cup water
  • 3 cups white sugar
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • teaspoon ground cloves
  • teaspoon ground ginger

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350F (175C). Grease and flour two 9x5-inch loaf pans to ensure the bread doesn't stick.

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.

Step 3: In another bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree, eggs, vegetable oil, water, and sugar. Stir until the mixture is well combined.

Step 4: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just blended. Be careful not to overmix a few lumps are fine.

Step 5: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans, spreading it out into an even layer.

Step 6: Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for about 50 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the bread if it comes out clean, its ready to come out. If not, bake for a few more minutes, then check again.

Step 7: Once baked, remove the loaves from the oven and let them cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Afterward, gently run a knife around the edges to loosen the bread, then turn the pans upside down to release the loaves. Transfer the loaves to a wire rack to cool completely.

Additional Tips:

  • Using Fresh Pumpkin: While this recipe calls for canned pumpkin puree, you can use fresh pumpkin if preferred. A 1 -pound sugar pumpkin will yield about 2 cups of mashed pumpkin, which is equivalent to a 15-ounce can of puree.
  • How to Know When Its Done: The bread will start to crack on top when it's nearly done. Insert a toothpick in the center to check if it comes out clean. If it does, the bread is ready!
  • How to Store: Once the bread is completely cool, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can store it at room temperature for up to 4 days, or refrigerate it for up to 1 week.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them:

  • Tough Texture: If the bread turns out tough, its likely because the batter was overmixed. Be sure to mix the ingredients just until combined.
  • Dry Bread: To avoid dry pumpkin bread, ensure your batter remains moist. You can try adding more liquid, such as orange juice or even bourbon, instead of increasing the amount of oil.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

  • Calories: 263
  • Fat: 10g
  • Carbs: 41g
  • Protein: 3g

Cooks Note: Feel free to add some chopped nuts or chocolate chips for extra flavor. Stir in 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips or toasted pecans, or a half-cup of each, before baking.

Community Tips:

"I make this recipe multiple times a year! I usually reduce the sugar to 2 cups instead of 3, and its still super moist and delicious," says Allison.

"This bread is like pumpkin pie for breakfast! Its cozy, comforting, and perfect. I followed the recipe exactly, and it was perfect!" raves Pamela Frechette.

"Our go-to pumpkin bread recipe. Its a great use for fresh pumpkin and the flavor is amazing!" according to NCDaisy.

Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread Recipe

FAQ about Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Once the pumpkin bread has cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store it in a cool, dry place for up to 4 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze it for longer storage.

Yes, pumpkin bread freezes well. After it has completely cooled, wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To defrost, leave it at room temperature for several hours or overnight.

Yes, you can use fresh pumpkin. To make fresh pumpkin puree, bake or boil a sugar pumpkin, remove the seeds, and puree the flesh in a blender or food processor. 1 ½ pounds of sugar pumpkin should yield about 2 cups of puree, which is equivalent to one 15-ounce can of pumpkin puree.

Pumpkin bread is done when a toothpick or skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. You can also check for a crack on top of the bread, which indicates it's nearing completion. If the toothpick comes out with batter on it, continue baking for a few more minutes and check again.

Yes, you can add nuts or chocolate chips to the batter for extra flavor and texture. Try folding in 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or a combination of both before baking. Make sure to fold them gently to avoid overmixing the batter.

If your pumpkin bread is too dry, try adding a bit more liquid to the batter. You can incorporate a small amount of orange juice, apple cider, or even a bit of bourbon to keep the bread moist. Additionally, reducing the flour or increasing the sugar content slightly can help achieve a softer texture.

Tough pumpkin bread is often caused by overmixing the batter. When making quick breads, it's important to mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined. The batter should still be slightly lumpy. Overmixing develops gluten and leads to a dense, tough texture.

To easily remove the pumpkin bread from the pan, make sure to grease and flour the pans before adding the batter. Once baked, let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, run a knife around the edges of the bread and gently shake the pan to loosen it. Turn the pan over and let the bread fall out onto a wire rack or plate to cool completely.

Yes, you can adjust the sweetness of the pumpkin bread to your liking. If you prefer a less sweet bread, you can reduce the sugar by up to 1 cup. Many bakers also replace some of the white sugar with brown sugar for added flavor.

Pumpkin bread typically lasts for 4 days when stored at room temperature in a cool, dry place. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it for up to 3 months.

Comments

Sarah Collins

06/09/2024 01:26:16 AM

Rewritten review: I was amazed by how incredibly delicious this recipe turned out to be! The pumpkin bread was rich, soft, and bursting with flavor like nothing I've ever tasted before. Not being an expert in the kitchen, I rarely experiment with food, but this recipe was too irresistible to resist. Following everyone's advice, I made some tweaks to the original recipe: using a combination of 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup oil, and 1/4 cup applesauce, along with a mix of 1 cup brown sugar and 2 cups of white sugar. Once the bread was baked in a tube pan, I poked holes in it and drizzled a heavenly combination of cinnamon, sugar, and butter over the top. I have to admit, this pumpkin bread is dangerously good! It was so tempting that I had to freeze some slices immediately to prevent myself from devouring it all at once.

Andrew Rivera

11/29/2024 01:45:18 AM

Review: Absolutely amazing! I followed the recipe almost to a T, with just a couple of tweaks. I added a touch of vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spice since I was out of cloves, and opted for a mix of light brown and regular sugar. I baked the batter in a Pyrex loaf pan and also made a dozen muffins. Surprisingly, using a full cup of oil didn't leave the treats greasy at all. Sifting the dry ingredients (minus the sugar) together worked like a charm. This will definitely be on my holiday baking list for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Update: 11/3/06 - My husband loved this so much he asked for seconds the other day. The muffins freeze exceptionally well; after defrosting, they were just as delicious. 11/26/08 - Yes, I'm still whipping up this recipe, including some chocolate chips now. Adding about a cup gives it a perfect hint of chocolate. Pro tip: Freeze the chocolate chips before adding them to keep their shape during baking.

Sandra Lopez

02/24/2025 11:51:53 PM

I followed the suggestions from other reviewers and adjusted the recipe to make a dozen delicious Pumpkin muffins and a scrumptious Pumpkin loaf. The result was moist, spicy, and absolutely DELICIOUS! My family loved it so much that they want me to make it again for Christmas. Here's the modified recipe I used: - 15 oz Can Pumpkin - 4 Eggs - 1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil - 1/2 Cup Sweetened Applesauce - 2 Cups Sugar - 3 1/2 Cups Flour - 2 tsp Baking Soda - 1 1/2 tsp Salt - 1 tsp Cinnamon - Splash of Vanilla - 1/4 tsp Pumpkin Spice - 1 Cup Walnuts - 1/2 Cup Raisins - 1 tsp Nutmeg - 1/2 tsp Cloves - 1/4 tsp Ground Ginger I blended and cooked the batter as per the original recipe. Both the Muffins and Bread were baked simultaneously, with the Muffins done in 40 minutes and the Bread in 1 hour and 10 minutes. After they cooled on the rack, I poked holes in the tops of the muffins and bread and poured a hot Cinnamon Sugar Butter mixture over them, letting it seep inside. The result was absolutely yummy! I will definitely be making this again and again. Thank you to everyone for the helpful tips!

Jack Thompson

12/02/2022 06:03:35 PM

I absolutely adore this recipe and have been preparing it every autumn for years with some tweaks. I like to double the recipe and bake it in smaller loaf pans. I substitute half of the oil with applesauce, use freshly grated ginger, a mix of white and brown sugar, and lessen the sugar by half a cup each. Adding pumpkin pie spice gives it a lovely flavor, and I've even tried using apricot or peach brandy for half of the water, which adds a unique twist. I love to sprinkle crystallized sugar, nuts, or mini chocolate chips on top of the loaves. It's not only delicious but also a joy to share with others!

Kimberly Wright

05/14/2025 01:55:34 PM

Review Rewritten: I absolutely adored this recipe! I made a small tweak by reducing the sugar to 1 cup and adding 1/4 of a ripe banana, resulting in an incredibly moist bread (though it might have already been moist without the banana). To make a low-carb version, I switched to almond flour, halved the sugar, added 1/4 ripe banana, and extended the baking time by around 10 minutes (keeping a close eye on it to prevent overcooking). While it didn't rise as much as the wheat flour loaf, it maintained its moist and delightful texture. I also threw in half a cup of pecans in each loaf, which added a lovely touch. Using parchment paper to line the pans eliminated the need for greasing and made removing the loaves a breeze.

Melissa Turner

11/25/2022 08:54:00 AM

I came across this recipe back in September 2016, and originally it was designed for 3 loaf pans measuring 7x3 inches each. Personally, I prefer using Reynolds foil disposable pans as they help create a better loaf that stays moist and avoids drying out, contrary to what some comments mentioned. In my electric oven, the baking time is around 50 minutes, while in a gas oven, it's closer to 60 minutes. It's a good idea to check for readiness at the 45-minute mark when using an electric oven. Remember that the loaf continues to cook for a few minutes after being taken out of the oven. Allow it to cool to a manageable temperature before wrapping it in plastic or foil while it's still warm to retain moisture. My family absolutely adores this recipe, so I hope you all enjoy it too!

Nancy Perez

03/30/2024 09:19:10 AM

I have to confess that I didn't follow this recipe exactly as written. I made some adjustments the first time around, and it turned out so delicious that I felt compelled to leave a review – something I don't usually do. However, this recipe definitely deserves all the praise. Personally, I prefer a strong and flavorful spice profile, so I doubled the amounts of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. To make it a bit healthier, I used two cups of sugar instead of three, and substituted half a cup of applesauce and half a cup of coconut oil for the one cup of vegetable oil. Other than that, I stuck to the recipe without any other changes, and the result was fantastic! I baked it for 60 minutes and it was absolutely delicious.

Kenneth Moore

12/01/2024 01:41:20 PM

Review rewritten: This recipe has been a staple in my Fall baking for several years now. When October comes around, my family and friends can't get enough of it. The flavor is outstanding and it stays moist and delicious. I like to amp up the cinnamon by tripling it and the nutmeg by doubling it. One time, I had only two cups of white sugar so I added a cup of brown sugar to make it work. It turned out beautifully and I've kept that adjustment ever since. It adds a nice depth to the flavor. This recipe is a definite winner in my book.

Debra Wilson

05/28/2023 02:37:30 AM

I have been making this recipe for over 10 years now, and it never disappoints. I always opt for pumpkin pie spice instead of individual spices, and it turns out absolutely delicious. Additionally, I extend the baking time by approximately 7 minutes for perfect results.

Alexander Brown

07/14/2024 06:15:42 PM

As I began making this recipe, I improvised with ingredients I had on hand in my pantry. I substituted pumpkin seed oil for cloves and used 5-spice powder, freshly grated nutmeg, and a dash of cinnamon. Instead of water, I opted for ginger cordial, and I must say, I was very pleased with the final outcome.

Amanda Nguyen

05/22/2024 07:12:00 PM

I discovered this recipe many years ago, and somehow lost it along the way. However, when I stumbled upon the name "Downeast Maine" in the recipe title, it immediately jogged my memory. This dessert has become one of my family's absolute favorites during the fall season. The recipe is simply fantastic when followed exactly, but it also serves as a wonderful canvas to incorporate your own personal touch. We opted for a delightful crumble topping and often baked muffins or mini loaves to share as holiday gifts. A definite 10/10 recommendation!

Lisa Diaz

01/22/2024 04:42:39 AM

I was really disappointed with the outcome of following the 1 loaf recipe using a (15 ounce) can of pumpkin puree as directed. The pumpkin bread turned out mushy and undercooked, and upon further inspection, I noticed that every quantity in the recipe instructed the use of a 15-ounce can. Clearer instructions on adjusting quantities would be greatly appreciated.