Pioneer Woman’s pumpkin bread unleashes a symphony of autumnal magic in your kitchen.
Crisp leaves and chilly breezes set the perfect stage for this soul-warming delicacy.
Velvety batter infused with warming spices transforms humble ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.
Every slice promises a carnival of flavors that dances between sweet comfort and rustic elegance.
The recipe whispers tales of cozy afternoons and family gatherings, inviting you to create edible memories.
Effortless to craft and impossible to resist, this bread turns ordinary moments into extraordinary celebrations.
Fall head over heels for a treat that embodies the very spirit of the season.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Calories: 350 kcal
Servings: 3
Essentials for Baking Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Bread
For Wet Ingredients:
Pumpkin Puree: Choose organic, 100% pure pumpkin for vibrant, authentic flavor and smooth texture.
Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Opt for fresh, clump-free sugars that promise rich sweetness.
Vegetable Oil: Select a neutral-flavored oil like canola for consistent moistness.
Eggs: Use room temperature, fresh eggs for better blending and texture.
Buttermilk: Look for full-fat buttermilk to enhance tenderness and tangy undertones.
Vanilla Extract: Invest in pure vanilla extract for deep, complex aromatic notes.
For Dry Ingredients:
All-Purpose Flour: Select unbleached flour for optimal structure and consistent results.
Pumpkin Pie Spice: Choose freshly ground spice blend for maximum aromatic intensity.
Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Ensure recent purchase for maximum leavening power.
Kosher Salt: Use flaky salt to balance and elevate overall flavor profile.
For Toppings:
Pumpkin Seeds, Chocolate Chips: Select high-quality, fresh additions to enhance visual appeal and provide delightful textural contrast.
What You’ll Need to Bake Pumpkin Bread
Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining wet ingredients smoothly.
Whisk: Essential for blending ingredients without lumps.
Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient amounts.
9-by-5-inch loaf pans: Ideal for creating two delicious bread loaves.
Baking spray: Helps prevent bread from sticking to the pan.
Spatula: Great for spreading batter evenly and smoothing the top.
Toothpick: Helps check if the bread is fully baked.
Wire rack: Allows bread to cool properly without getting soggy.
Oven: Crucial for baking the pumpkin bread to golden perfection.
Making Pumpkin Bread from Scratch
Fire Up the Oven Create a cozy baking environment by warming your oven to 350°F, setting the stage for delicious pumpkin bread.
Blend Wet Ingredients Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk together pumpkin puree, sugars, oil, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla until the mixture transforms into a silky, smooth liquid that promises delectable results.
Combine Dry Components Gently fold flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into the wet mixture. Stir with a light hand, stopping just as ingredients are incorporated to keep the batter tender and light.
Prepare Baking Vessels Coat two loaf pans with baking spray, then distribute the batter evenly. Smooth the surfaces with a spatula, creating a perfect canvas for your toppings.
Crown with Delightful Extras Sprinkle one loaf with crunchy pumpkin seeds and shower the other with rich chocolate chips, adding texture and flavor that will make taste buds dance.
Bake Until Golden Transform your creation in the oven for 60-65 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick – a clean exit signals perfectly baked bread ready to be devoured.
Cool and Savor Allow bread to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Once cooled, slice and indulge in your homemade pumpkin bread masterpiece.
Flavor Boosts for Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Bread
Boost Your Baking Success: Expert Pumpkin Bread Tips
Customize Mix-Ins: Experiment with chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra crunch. Dried cranberries or raisins can add delightful bursts of sweetness to complement the pumpkin flavor.
Perfect Moisture Technique: Replace buttermilk with Greek yogurt for an even more tender crumb. This swap maintains moisture while adding subtle tanginess that enhances the bread's rich profile.
Spice Level Control: Adjust pumpkin pie spice to match your taste preferences. Create a homemade blend by mixing ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves for a personalized warming flavor.
Storage Secrets: Wrap cooled loaves tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for 3 months, ensuring a delicious treat is always within reach.
How to Serve Pumpkin Bread in Slices
Pair with Warm Beverages: Complement the pumpkin bread with a steaming mug of hot coffee, spiced chai latte, or creamy hot chocolate for a cozy autumn treat.
Create a Breakfast Spread: Transform the bread into a delightful morning meal by serving alongside scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or a dollop of whipped cream cheese.
Dress Up for Dessert: Elevate the bread by toasting thin slices, spreading with cream cheese frosting, and sprinkling with chopped nuts or a dusting of powdered sugar for an indulgent dessert option.
Pack for On-the-Go Snacking: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper for a perfect portable snack during work, school, or weekend adventures.
Storing Pumpkin Bread to Keep it Moist
Store Fresh and Tasty: Keep your pumpkin bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. The bread stays moist and delicious when protected from air exposure.
Freeze for Later Enjoyment: Wrap individual slices or whole loaves in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen pumpkin bread maintains its flavor for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving for best results.
Refrigeration Tips: If you've added perishable toppings like cream cheese frosting, store the bread in the refrigerator and consume within 3-4 days. Always let the bread come to room temperature before serving for optimal texture and taste.
Revive Day-Old Bread: Breathe new life into slightly dry bread by warming individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. A quick toast or gentle warming can restore moisture and bring back that fresh-baked flavor.
Creamy pumpkin bread showcases autumn’s warmth with rich spices and moist texture. Fall baking reaches delicious heights when you embrace this classic comfort recipe from the heartland.
Ingredients
Scale
1 (15 oz / 425 g) can of plain pumpkin puree
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 ¼ cups light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips
¼ cup pumpkin seeds
baking spray with flour, for greasing
Instructions
Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) with rack centered for optimal baking performance.
Mixing Wet Components: Whisk pumpkin puree, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract into a smooth, homogeneous blend that displays rich, glossy characteristics.
Incorporating Dry Ingredients: Gently fold sifted flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt into wet mixture, stirring minimally to maintain a tender crumb structure and prevent gluten development.
Pan Preparation: Thoroughly spray two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans with baking spray, ensuring complete surface coverage to prevent sticking.
Topping and Baking: Distribute batter evenly between pans, then artfully sprinkle one loaf with pumpkin seeds and the other with chocolate chips; bake for 60-65 minutes until a toothpick inserted centrally emerges clean and dry.
Cooling Process: Allow loaves to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack, permitting complete cooling before slicing to preserve moisture and structural integrity.
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.
Michael Thompson
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.