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Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin bread with a domed, crackly sugar top—baked until tender and set in the center. This loaf-style American pumpkin bread uses pantry staples and a smooth wet batter for an even crumb.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 340
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dry ingredients
  • 1.75 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Wet ingredients
  • 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
  • 0.5 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 0.75 cup brown sugar packed
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.25 cup milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 oven

Method
 

Prep and preheat
  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
Mix dry ingredients
  1. Whisk all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and ground cinnamon in a bowl until evenly combined. Stop when there are no visible spice clumps.
Mix wet ingredients
  1. Whisk pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, large eggs, both sugars, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Scrape the bottom and sides so no sugar pockets remain.
Combine batter
  1. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet just until no flour streaks remain. The batter should look thick and cohesive, not overmixed.
Bake
  1. Pour batter into the loaf pan and sprinkle 1 tablespoon granulated sugar on top for a crackly surface. Bake for 55-65 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool and slice
  1. Cool for 15 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a rack before slicing. Let it cool further so the center sets cleanly.

Notes

Pro tip: for the domed, crackly top, keep the batter thick and avoid overmixing after adding flour. Store wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days; freeze sliced loaf in an airtight container for up to 2 months. For a lower-fat option, substitute half the vegetable oil with unsweetened applesauce (texture will be slightly softer).