Description
Seasonal spices dance through this classic old-fashioned pumpkin bread, delivering warmth and comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen. Moist crumbs promise a delightful slice that connects memories with rich, comforting flavors you’ll cherish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups sugar
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups pure pumpkin
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
Liquid Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup water
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- Orange zest (to taste)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F and prepare loaf pans by lightly coating with grease and dusting with flour to prevent sticking.
- Whisk together pumpkin puree, eggs, vegetable oil, and water in a spacious mixing vessel until smooth and uniform.
- Gradually incorporate sugar into the liquid mixture, stirring consistently until fully integrated and glossy.
- In a separate container, thoroughly combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves using a whisk.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring minimally to maintain a tender texture, then delicately incorporate fresh orange zest for brightness.
- Evenly distribute batter among prepared loaf pans, ensuring smooth surface and consistent depth.
- Position pans in preheated oven and bake approximately 60-70 minutes, monitoring doneness by inserting a clean toothpick into bread’s center – it should emerge without raw batter.
- Allow bread to rest in pans for 10 minutes, enabling initial cooling and structural stabilization.
- Carefully transfer loaves onto wire cooling rack, permitting complete cooling to enhance flavor development and ease of slicing.
Notes
- Swap vegetable oil with melted coconut oil or applesauce for a healthier twist that keeps the bread incredibly moist.
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch and nutty flavor, enhancing the bread’s texture and nutritional value.
- Use gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe completely gluten-free without compromising the soft, tender crumb.
- For a lower-sugar version, reduce sugar by 25% and replace with mashed ripe bananas or unsweetened applesauce to maintain moisture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 70 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg