Easy Pumpkin Bread

293 Reviews 4.6 out of 5 stars

Whenever we have a company gathering, this pumpkin bread is one of the first things to disappear. Super-moist and packed with flavor, it can be made into a simple pumpkin loaf; or enhanced with chocolate chips and/or nuts. Or raisins. Or butterscotch chips. Or...

Want to reduce the carbs and calories in this recipe? Substitute our King Arthur Baking Sugar Alternative for the sugar called for. See how in "tips," below.

Prep
10 mins
Bake
1 hr to 1 hr 20 mins
Total
1 hr 10 mins
Yield
2 loaves
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Easy Pumpkin Bread

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease two 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" loaf pans (if you're making the plain version of the bread); two 9" x 5" loaf pans (if you're adding chocolate chips and nuts); or one of each, if you're making one plain loaf, and one loaf with chips and nuts.

  2. In a large bowl, beat together the oil, sugar, eggs, pumpkin, and water.

  3. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and vanilla, stirring to combine.

  4. Mix in the chips and nuts, if you're using them. To make one loaf with chips/nuts, one loaf without, divide the batter in half. Leave one half plain, and add 3/4 cup chips and 1/2 cup nuts to the other half.

  5. Spoon the batter into the prepared pans. Sprinkle the tops of the loaves with coarse sparkling sugar.

  6. Bake the bread for 60 to 80 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean; and that same tester inserted about 1/2" into the top of the loaf doesn't encounter any totally unbaked batter.

  7. Remove the bread from the oven, and cool it on a rack. When it's completely cool, wrap it well in plastic wrap, and store it overnight before serving.

Tips from our Bakers

  • Want to use fresh pumpkin purée rather than canned? It’s simple to make your own; see how it’s done.

  • Variation: substitute diced crystallized ginger (mini diced ginger), golden raisins, or dried cranberries for the chocolate chips and/or nuts.

  • Here's an easy way to reduce the carbs and calories in this recipe: substitute King Arthur Baking Sugar Alternative, cup for cup, for the sugar(s) called for. Be sure to substitute by volume (not weight); follow mixing directions as written. Since our Baking Sugar Alternative will bake and brown more quickly, start checking for doneness three-quarters of the way through the suggested bake time.

  • How about making gift loaves? This recipe makes eight 3" x 5" loaves, with the addition of the chips and nuts. Bake the loaves for about 45 to 60 minutes; start testing at 45 minutes, and remove from the oven when a toothpick inserted into the center of one of the loaves comes out free of crumbs.
  • Want to add a simple icing? Just before serving, drizzle with a mixture of 1 cup confectioners' or glazing sugar, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and 1 tablespoon milk.

  • Join King Arthur baking instructor, Libby Treadway as she bakes Easy Pumpkin Bread from start to finish. Watch Baking Easy Pumpkin Bread with Kids now.

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