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Moist homemade pumpkin bread sliced on wooden cutting board with warm autumn spices and pumpkin in background

Classic Pumpkin Bread Recipe: Health Benefits + Baking Tips

This ultimate pumpkin bread recipe delivers moist, spiced perfection with wholesome ingredients, offering all the comforting autumn flavors while keeping it surprisingly nutritious.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Bread, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 229
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1⅔ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1¼ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup softened unsalted butter
  • ½ cup warm milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease or line a loaf or cake pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
  3. Cream butter and sugar with a hand mixer on high speed for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in pumpkin puree and vanilla extract until smooth.
  5. Fold in dry ingredients gently, then stir in warm milk until batter is smooth.
  6. Pour into prepared pan and bake 45-55 minutes depending on pan size, until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
  7. Cool 15 minutes in pan, then remove and cool an additional 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Measure pumpkin puree carefully to avoid dense texture. Always use plain pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.