This is truly the ultimate moist pumpkin bread recipe, designed to produce a perfectly spiced, tender, and flavorful loaf every single time. Forget dry, crumbly pumpkin bread; this recipe is your new go-to for the fall season. We’ve tested every variable to ensure a simple process and a delicious result that will have everyone asking for your secret. It’s the perfect companion to a warm cup of coffee on a crisp autumn morning.
Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting, this guide will walk you through creating a bakery-quality loaf in your own kitchen. We’re not just sharing ingredients and steps; we’re sharing the secrets to making it unbelievably moist.
Why This is the Best Moist Pumpkin Bread Recipe
There are countless pumpkin bread recipes out there, but this one stands apart. It’s crafted for incredible flavor and a tender, moist crumb that stays fresh for days. We use a specific combination of oil and pumpkin puree to lock in moisture, while the perfect blend of fall spices creates a warm, aromatic flavor profile that is simply irresistible. This no-fail recipe is perfect for holiday gatherings, bake sales, or a simple weekend treat.
The Secret to Incredibly Moist Pumpkin Bread
The key to avoiding a dry loaf is using oil instead of butter. While butter provides great flavor, oil provides superior moisture, resulting in a more tender and longer-lasting bread. Another critical element is the pumpkin puree itself. Be sure to use 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, as the filling is already sweetened and spiced, which will throw off the recipe’s balance. This pure pumpkin provides not only flavor but also a significant amount of the moisture that makes this bread so special.
Key Ingredients
Before you begin, gather your ingredients. Using room temperature ingredients, especially eggs, helps them combine more easily, creating a smoother batter and a more uniform crumb.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for the bread.
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder: The leavening agents that give the loaf its beautiful rise.
- Spices: A warm blend of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. This is the heart of the bread’s flavor.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Pumpkin Puree: The star of the show! Use pure canned pumpkin for the best results.
- Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: A combination of both adds sweetness, flavor, and extra moisture.
- Vegetable Oil: Our secret weapon for a super moist crumb.
- Eggs: Binds the ingredients together and adds richness.
- Vanilla Extract: Complements the warm spices perfectly.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this moist pumpkin bread recipe is incredibly simple. Just follow these steps for a perfect loaf.
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan. This preparation ensures your bread won’t stick, making for a clean release after baking.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Whisking thoroughly distributes the leavening agents and spices, which is crucial for an even bake.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Combine and Bake
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix with a spatula until just combined—be careful not to overmix! A few lumps are perfectly fine. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough, dense bread. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pro Tips for Success
- Do Not Overmix: This is the most important rule for any quick bread. Mix the batter until the flour is just incorporated to ensure a tender crumb.
- Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Scooping directly from the bag can pack the flour, resulting in a dry bread.
- Check for Doneness: Ovens can vary. Start checking the bread around the 60-minute mark. If the top is browning too quickly, you can tent it loosely with aluminum foil for the remainder of the baking time.
Variations and Fun Add-Ins
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also a great base for customization. Try folding in one of these ingredients with the final mix:
- Chocolate Chips: Add 1 cup of semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips for a decadent treat.
- Nuts: Toasted walnuts or pecans add a wonderful crunch. Add about 1 cup. For more nutty flavor, check out this maple pecan granola recipe.
- Cream Cheese Swirl: Mix 4 oz of softened cream cheese with 1 egg yolk, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and a splash of vanilla. Dollop half the batter into the pan, add the cream cheese mixture, and top with the remaining batter. Swirl gently with a knife before baking.
Storing and Freezing Pumpkin Bread
This bread stores beautifully, and its flavor even deepens the next day! Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the entire loaf or individual slices. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying. This makes it a great recipe to pair with a make-ahead main course like our creamy tomato basil chicken (coming soon).
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Feel free to fold in about 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, toasted pecans, or walnuts into the batter at the very end. Do not overmix after adding them.
Yes, you can use homemade pumpkin puree. However, fresh puree often contains more water than canned. We recommend straining it through a cheesecloth or letting it sit in a fine-mesh sieve for about 30-60 minutes to drain excess moisture before using it in this recipe.
The key to moist pumpkin bread is using oil instead of butter. Oil is 100% fat and remains liquid at room temperature, which ensures a tender, moist crumb. Also, be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can lead to a tough, dry texture.
Store your pumpkin bread in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature. It will stay fresh and moist for up to 4 days. Avoid refrigerating it, as that can dry it out.
A sunken middle is usually caused by underbaking. Quick breads need to be baked thoroughly. Ensure a skewer inserted into the very center comes out clean or with dry crumbs. It can also be caused by opening the oven door too early, which lets cool air in and stops the rising process.
More Fall Baking Inspiration
If you loved this recipe, you’re sure to enjoy our other autumn favorites. This Cinnamon Apple Bread is another fantastic quick bread, and for a truly decadent dessert, don’t miss these Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars. They are perfect for any fall occasion!
The Best Moist Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Moist Pumpkin Bread Recipe (The Only One You’ll Need)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves until well combined.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes before carefully inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Freezing: Wrap the loaf or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Variations: Feel free to add 1 cup of chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the batter.
Share Your Creation!
We know you’ll fall in love with this moist pumpkin bread recipe. If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out! Don’t forget to save it to your favorite board on Pinterest so you can find it again and again.
