Best Pumpkin Bread (Super Moist!)
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One of the simplest and greatest things about Fall is making all things pumpkin…including this best pumpkin bread recipe of course!
Baked goods with pumpkin in any form filled with pumpkin-y cinnamon sugar goodness and I’m hooked. Pumpkin muffins? I’m there. A pumpkin snickerdoodle cookie? I’m in.
The fun thing about this recipe is that is makes not one, but two delicious loaves!
In fact, you can also make it into mini loaves if you have 5 ½ x 3 inch loaf pans on hand! (*note: the bake time will be different when making mini loaves, see recipe notes).
It’s insanely easy to whip up, no stand mixer required, and no fancy crumb topping, glaze, or cream cheese frosting required. Just a flavorful, home-baked loaf of life-changing pumpkin bread.
Ingredients you’ll need to make the best pumpkin bread
(For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card below)
- Eggs: the eggs add structure to the loaf; since this recipe makes 2 loaves, you’ll need 5 eggs.
- Pumpkin: be sure to use 100% pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Oil and butter: I like using a combination of both oil and butter for a rich flavor and best texture. Canola oil, vegetable oil or any neutral flavored oil works well.
- Sugars: I like using a combination of brown sugar and granulated sugar. A little bit of brown sugar adds a hint of molasses flavor and more moisture.
- Cinnamon and nutmeg: I feel like these two spices are enough, but feel free to experiment and add cloves, allspice, ginger, cardamom, or even pre-made pumpkin pie spice.
- Vanilla pudding mix: my secret ingredient! It adds extra moisture and a soft, tender crumb to the bread. Make sure to use the instant version, as the cook-and-serve type won’t yield the same results.
- Baking soda and baking powder: These leavening agents help the bread rise. The combination is often used to ensure the bread has a good lift and a light texture.
How to make Pumpkin Bread
(For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card below)
Beat the eggs
Using a hand mixer, beat the 5 eggs.
Add ingredients and beat again
Add in the pumpkin puree, oil, melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract and mix again until smooth.
Mix dry ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients.
Fold in the dry ingredients
Easy peasy pumpkin squeezy!
Divide into loaf pans and bake
Spray two 8.5 x 4.5 inch loaf pans with non stick baking spray or line with parchment paper. Divide the batter between the pans, top with a little sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar and bake.
SLICE AND SERVE 😍
Enjoy as is or with some butter. Pumpkin Bread perfection!
Can you freeze pumpkin bread?
Yes, pumpkin bread freezes well. Be sure the bread cools completely at room temperature. Wrap the loaf, or loaves, in plastic wrap and then foil if you want to wrap it up extra good! Freeze for up to 3 months.
Best pan to use to make pumpkin bread
Light colored aluminum loaf pans work best. A darker color metal loaf pan absorbs more heat and may result in a darker and thicker crust. Use a light colored aluminum loaf pan for a lighter more tender crust.
Can’t Get Enough Pumpkin?
Then you’re going to want to check out my Pumpkin Series! It’s a collection of my favorite pumpkin recipes featured on Kroll’s Korner. You’ll find a little bit of everything, from sweet treats to savory dishes. Perfect for Fall baking & cooking!
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Best Pumpkin Bread
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 5 large eggs, room temperature
- 1, 15 oz. can 100% pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1/4 cup melted butter, unsalted, slightly cooled
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed (dark or light)
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1, 5.1 oz. package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
Cinnamon sugar topping (optional)
- 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Using a hand mixer, beat the eggs in a large bowl.5 large eggs, room temperature
- Then add in the pumpkin, oil, melted butter, brown sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.1, 15 oz. can 100% pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup canola oil, 1/4 cup melted butter, unsalted, slightly cooled, 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed (dark or light), 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- Mix the dry ingredients together in a medium bowl. (Note: some readers have wished for more spice in the recipe. Feel free to add more, like pumpkin pie spice, if you want an ultra-Fall spiced pumpkin bread)2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1, 5.1 oz. package instant vanilla pudding mix, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. baking powder, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
- Gradually beat dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until incorporated.
- Spray two 8.5 x 4.5 inch loaf pans with non stick baking spray or line with parchment paper.
- Pour the batter into prepared pans, smoothing out the tops. Sprinkle the top with a cinnamon & sugar mixture if desired.1 Tbsp. granulated sugar, 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- Bake for ~60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- This recipe makes 2 loaves. If you’d like to make into 5 smaller mini loaves for gift giving, use 5 x 3 inch mini loaf pans and bake for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- *Note about baking time: Some ovens may require less time. You can check to see if your loaf is done around 55-60 minutes.
- Storage: store at room temperature for 3-4 days in a sealed baggie or container or in the fridge for 1 week. To freeze, allow the bread to cool completely, wrap in plastic wrap then place in a baggie and freeze for 2-3 months.
- This recipe was originally published in Sept 2020 and republished August 2024 with new photos.
- Cheesecake swirl: if you’d like to add a cheesecake swirl, use the cheesecake filling from my cheesecake banana bread.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is automatically calculated. It should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Kroll’s Korner can’t make any guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
This is truly the BEST pumpkin bread recipe. I’ve never added pudding to a quick bread before and was unsure what it would be like. My kids inhaled the first loaf. They also loved the crunchy sweet top, so don’t skip it. Do yourself a favor and make this recipe if you are looking for a perfect pumpkin treat.
I am so glad!! i love the crunchy sweet topping too 🙂 thank you soo much!
I have often substituted unsweetened applesauce for oil for dietary reasons. It’s a 1:1 ratio. I’ve also used Splenda vs sugar in recipes for my diabetic friends. Would either of those substitutions work for this recipe? I’ve tried it as written and it’s delicious but just wondering about subs. Thank you.
I cant say for sure since i haven’t tested it out myself. If you try it, and it works well, please comment and let us know as i am sure this information will be helpful to other readers 🙂
Can we use canned pumpkin?? Can’t find purée anywhere lol
yes 100% pumpkin puree from the can is what I normally use:)
This bread is so incredibly good! My family loves it. I’ll be making this more than once this fall season! *****5 stars!
Could I substitute bananas instead of pumpkin? If so, I’d probably skip some of the spices too.
Thank you so much 🙂 I haven’t tried making with bananas so I am not sure. If you try it out, let me know how it goes!
We loved this recipe. The pudding mix really adds to the texture and keeps the bread fluffy. I only had vegetable oil and it still turned out fine. Will be making this all Fall!
Yayyyy! So glad you love this one, Megan! Happy fall baking!! 🤗🥰
My family loves this recipe! We have made multiple times. It is so moist and my kids love to eat for breakfast. Thank you for your amazing recipes!
This makes me so happy to hear, Angela! I’m soooo glad it’s a fave in your home! 🥰
I made the pumpkin bread today, hoping that it would taste as good as it looked and it did! It’s delicious! So many recipes I take from Instagram turned out to be duds, but not this one. This is a keeper! I love it.! 🎃🥪
Awww, thank you so much for the sweet comment, Susan! I am SO happy to hear you loved this one! Hope you try some other recipes from my site too! 🥰
The best pumpkin bread I’ve ever had🔥🔥
So glad you loved it, Monica!! 🥰
I am looking for feedback! I tried this recipe and it did not turn out like the pictures. My loaf turned out gummy and dense. I don’t think I had any errors in measuring. However I did bake mine in a 9×5. I do this a lot with loaf recipes and have not had an issue before. Could it be overmixing? Too much batter in the pan?
Hi! I’m so sorry it didn’t turn out! Did you make 2 loaves? Was it a glass pan? I’m wondering if you under baked it, or your leavening agents are expired. I’m so sorry I’ve only had positive feedback about this recipe!!!
I only used one (metal) 9×5 loaf pan. Could that have been it?? I will check if my leavening agents are expired too!
Oh yes you need to make it into 2 breads since this recipe is designed to make 2, not 1. So sorry about that!
I made this bread with my daughter and it was amazing!! We did add pumpkin spice and then lots of cinnamon sugar on top. The bread had great flavor, we will make this again 😋
Yummmm!!! Those mini loaves are too cute! So glad this one was a hit for you and your daughter, Tyffany! 🥰
Super easy recipe and tastes delicious!
Yummmm! Your loaves look delicious, Carolyn! So glad you enjoyed this one! 🥰
I have made this recipe a few times and it always delicious . What I like the most is that is easy to prepare and it makes 2 loafs !!!
Can’t go wrong with double the yumminess! Hehe thank you!!
Looks delicious!!!
Can I use cook & serve pudding mix in this recipe?
Thank you! Good question. No, please only use the instant for best results.