Use What You Have
Delicious Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Pumpkin bread with fresh pumpkin is the perfect way to welcome fall. Plus, this top-rated recipe makes three loaves so it's great for gift giving.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 cups white sugar (some reviewers prefer a blend of white and brown sugar)
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 cups mashed fresh pumpkin (from boiled or roasted pumpkin)
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- cup water
- 4 large eggs
- cup chopped walnuts (optional, you can also add raisins, pecans, or chocolate chips)
Fresh Pumpkin vs. Pumpkin Puree
This pumpkin bread is best made with fresh pumpkin, which enhances its flavor and adds to the fall experience. However, if you're pressed for time, feel free to use store-bought pumpkin puree. It will still be absolutely delicious!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350F (175C). Grease and flour three 7x3-inch loaf pans.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Ensure all the dry ingredients are well combined.
Step 3: Add the mashed pumpkin, vegetable oil, water, and eggs to the dry ingredients. Using an electric mixer, beat until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
Step 4: Gently fold in the chopped walnuts (if using). You can also substitute walnuts with raisins or other additions if preferred.
Step 5: Divide the batter evenly between the three prepared loaf pans.
Step 6: Bake the bread in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of each loaf comes out clean.
Step 7: Once done, remove the pans from the oven and place them on a wire rack to cool. Allow the loaves to cool completely before slicing.
How to Store Pumpkin Bread
Store the pumpkin bread in an airtight or tightly wrap it in storage wrap. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 5 days, or you can refrigerate it for up to 1 week.
Recipe Tip: If you prefer, you can use pumpkin puree instead of fresh pumpkin and substitute raisins for the walnuts. The bread will still turn out delicious!
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
- Calories: 256
- Total Fat: 10g (13% daily value)
- Saturated Fat: 2g (8% daily value)
- Cholesterol: 31mg (10% daily value)
- Sodium: 239mg (10% daily value)
- Total Carbohydrate: 39g (14% daily value)
- Dietary Fiber: 1g (3% daily value)
- Protein: 3g (6% daily value)
- Vitamin C: 1mg (1% daily value)
- Calcium: 12mg (1% daily value)
- Iron: 1mg (6% daily value)
- Potassium: 77mg (2% daily value)
Note: Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may vary depending on your calorie needs.
Delicious Pumpkin Bread has become a beloved recipe, especially during the fall season, when pumpkins are in abundance. The bread, typically made with fresh pumpkin puree, offers a moist texture, warm spices, and a delightful hint of sweetness. It's perfect for breakfast, as a snack, or even as a gift for loved ones. Below is the story and the reasons why this recipe is so special.
History and Origins
The history of pumpkin bread can be traced back to the early settlers of the United States. Pumpkin, a native crop to North America, was often used in various dishes by Native Americans and European settlers. As these settlers adapted to local ingredients, pumpkin became a common addition to baked goods, especially in fall and winter recipes. The concept of pumpkin bread likely evolved from traditional quick breads, which use baking soda or baking powder as a leavening agent rather than yeast. Over time, as pumpkin became a staple in autumn kitchens, this comforting loaf became a popular fall treat.
Regional Variations and Specialties
While pumpkin bread is enjoyed across the United States, some regions have their own unique spins on the recipe. In the Midwest, where pumpkin cultivation is especially common, the bread is often served with a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg, common spices in the region's autumn dishes. In southern states, variations might include the addition of pecans or raisins for extra texture and sweetness. Other regional variations incorporate brown sugar, honey, or even maple syrup to adjust the sweetness. Regardless of the version, pumpkin bread remains a warm and comforting treat in fall kitchens everywhere.
What Makes It Unique?
Though pumpkin bread shares similarities with other quick breads, such as banana bread and zucchini bread, what sets it apart is its use of pumpkin puree. This gives the bread a unique moistness and subtle sweetness that other fruits or vegetables cannot replicate. Additionally, the use of autumn spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves gives the bread a distinct, comforting flavor profile that pairs perfectly with the cooler weather and fall festivities. Unlike banana bread, which often has a denser texture, pumpkin bread tends to be lighter and fluffier, making it a favorite for many.
Where Is Pumpkin Bread Typically Served?
Pumpkin bread is a staple of fall gatherings, from family breakfasts to Thanksgiving feasts. Its often served as a quick breakfast bread or a dessert option. Some even slice it into smaller pieces and serve it as part of a brunch spread, accompanied by cream cheese or butter. Its versatility makes it suitable for many occasions: from cozy mornings at home to potluck parties and holiday dinners. Many home bakers also love to give pumpkin bread as a homemade gift during the autumn season, wrapped in parchment paper or placed in festive gift bags.
Interesting Facts
Did you know that pumpkin bread is not just delicious but also nutritious? Pumpkin is a great source of Vitamin A, fiber, and antioxidants, making this bread not only a treat for the taste buds but also a health boost. Additionally, pumpkin bread has become synonymous with fall and is often featured as the star dessert at seasonal farmers' markets, festivals, and craft fairs. In fact, it is so popular that many cafes and bakeries start offering it as soon as the first signs of autumn appear. Some bakeries even offer unique twists on the classic recipe, like pumpkin-chocolate chip bread or pumpkin bread with a streusel topping, making it a seasonal favorite with endless variations.
This recipe for Delicious Pumpkin Bread is sure to become a beloved tradition in your kitchen. Whether youre baking it for a family breakfast or a fall gathering, its comforting texture and flavor will make it a hit wherever its served.
FAQ about Delicious Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Comments
Timothy Hill
07/16/2023 06:16:11 PM
The pumpkin bread turned out to be absolutely delicious and incredibly moist! I made a few small adjustments to the recipe and it turned out fabulous. I decided to add some quick oats and a cinnamon-sugar mixture on top, which not only gave it a wonderful finishing touch but also made it look pretty. I skipped the walnuts but still loved how it turned out. Here's the recipe I followed: Delicious, Moist Pumpkin Bread Ingredients: - 3 ½ cups Flour - 3 cups White sugar - 2 tsp. baking soda - 1 ½ tsp salt - 2 tsp. Ground nutmeg - 2 tsp. ground cinnamon - 2 cups solid packed pumpkin puree (approximately 3 cups from 1 large can) - 2/3 cup water - 1 cup vegetable oil - 4 eggs - ¼ cup quick oats (optional) - Cinnamon/sugar mixture (optional) Directions: 1. Grease and flour pans of your choice (greasing only worked fine for me). 2. Preheat oven to 350°F. 3. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and spices. 4. Add pumpkin, water, vegetable oil, eggs, and nuts if using. Beat until well-combined. 5. Pour batter into prepared pans. 6. Top with a sprinkle of oats and the cinnamon/sugar mixture. 7. Bake for approximately 1 hour; baking time may vary based on loaf size or if making muffins. Enjoy this delightful treat!
Helen Brown
11/01/2022 10:33:35 PM
Review revised: The bread turned out to be incredibly delicious, although I did make some adjustments to the ingredients. I opted for fresh pumpkin purée, which did make the mixture slightly watery; thus, I reduced the water to 1/2 cup. Additionally, I used a combination of one cup of brown sugar and one cup of white sugar, resulting in a perfectly balanced level of sweetness. To enhance the flavor, I included a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice. For added texture, I mixed in one cup of steamed raisins and one cup of chopped pecans. The loaves baked beautifully in about 50 minutes. I am looking forward to making this recipe again for my partner, and will likely stick to the same adjustments. One potential change for next time is subbing in a cup of Greek yogurt with a teaspoon of lemon juice for the vegetable oil, to make it a touch healthier. This substitution has worked well for me in the past with pumpkin bars and banana bread.
Angela Hill
08/05/2024 11:31:23 PM
I adjusted the sugar amount to two cups and made some modifications to the pumpkin preparation process. I removed the stem, kept the seeds inside, and steamed the pumpkin upside down in a pan of seasoned water with steak salt. After cooking, I peeled off the skin and removed the seeds. I intentionally left some of the pumpkin mash chunky in the batter, which added a lovely texture to the bread and enhanced the overall flavor.
John Baker
08/05/2024 08:49:11 PM
Rewritten review: This pumpkin bread recipe was absolutely phenomenal! I made some modifications to the original recipe, including using "Lighter Bake" as a substitute for oil/butter along with grape seed oil, adding more pumpkin, using a mix of honey and brown sugar for sweetness, and incorporating a variety of flavorful extracts like vanilla, coconut, and maple. I also included a blend of spices like cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and nutmeg, and added walnuts for extra texture. I've tried many pumpkin bread recipes in the past that turned out bland, but this one exceeded all expectations. It had the perfect balance of flavors and was truly the best pumpkin bread I've ever made or tasted. It was a hit at the special gathering I made it for!
Deborah Roberts
06/21/2024 07:41:45 PM
Rewritten review: Absolutely amazing! I adore this recipe, thank you so much. I made a few adjustments though. I substituted the sugar with one and a half cups of white sugar and one cup of packed brown sugar. Additionally, I included one teaspoon of vanilla and four teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice. Due to running out of vegetable oil, I used margarine instead. It was a bit tough to mix, but overall, the result was fantastic and moist! After letting the loaves cool, I dusted them with icing sugar. I found that baking for only 40-45 minutes was sufficient; an hour would have been too long. The only change I would consider is adding more spices. Thank you again, and I will definitely be using this recipe again.
Benjamin Collins
11/01/2023 03:42:14 PM
Review rewritten: After not baking for around 15 years, I suddenly felt inspired to make pumpkin bread using the Halloween pumpkins. I browsed through various recipes, and settled for this one due to its simplicity and minimal ingredients. The final result was amazing! I opted for fresh pumpkin puree instead of canned, included two teaspoons of McCormick's vanilla extract, and used a baking pan instead of loaf tins. This recipe is now a staple in our household and will be made regularly going forward.
Jacob Baker
02/03/2023 10:28:32 AM
I absolutely adore this pumpkin bread!
Heather Wright
04/13/2024 08:43:49 PM
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I have been baking it for years and it has always been a crowd favorite. To enhance the flavor, I like to add 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to your original ingredients, which really makes it pop. I also enjoy topping it off with a cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla frosting for an extra special touch.
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