If you’re craving a cozy, delicious treat that captures the essence of fall, this Easy Streusel Pumpkin Bread Recipe is your new best friend. It’s moist, packed with warm spices, and topped with a perfectly crumbly streusel that adds just the right amount of sweet crunch. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering or simply want to fill your kitchen with irresistible autumn aromas, this pumpkin bread is a straightforward recipe that delivers bakery-worthy results with minimal effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple yet essential, coming together to create a wonderfully flavorful bread with a tender crumb and the perfect streusel topping. Each ingredient plays an important role in balancing taste, texture, and the inviting color that pumpkin bread is famous for.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure to the bread while keeping it soft and light.
- Baking soda: Helps the bread rise, making it fluffy and airy.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors, making every bite well-rounded.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds a warm, familiar spice that is key to pumpkin bread.
- Ground nutmeg: Brings a subtle, nutty undertone that deepens the spice profile.
- Ground ginger: Introduces a mild zing that complements the sweetness.
- Ground cloves: Provides a touch of aromatic intensity for classic fall flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Ensures rich moisture for a tender crumb and delicious taste.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the bread to perfection.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and add richness.
- Vanilla extract: Elevates flavor with a hint of sweetness and warmth.
- Pumpkin puree (canned): Offers that vibrant orange color and moist texture along with the unmistakable pumpkin taste.
- Buttermilk: Contributes to the bread’s tender softness and balances sweetness with slight tanginess.
- Chopped walnuts (optional): Adds delightful crunch and a nutty contrast.
- Brown sugar: Sweet and a bit molasses-y, essential in the streusel topping for richness.
- Rolled oats: Create a rustic, chewy texture in the streusel that perfectly topples the bread.
How to Make Easy Streusel Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan to prevent sticking and ensure your bread comes out clean and perfect.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Spices and Flour
In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. This aromatic blend is what sets the foundation for that warm, comforting pumpkin bread flavor.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes. This step is crucial to create an airy texture and ensure the sweetness melts evenly into every bite.
Step 4: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Pumpkin
Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully combined before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract and pumpkin puree to infuse the batter with moisture and that unmistakable orange glow.
Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk. Start and finish with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the batter. If you like a bit of crunch, gently fold in the chopped walnuts here.
Step 6: Prepare the Streusel Topping
In a small bowl, mix together flour, brown sugar, rolled oats, cinnamon, and softened butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. This streusel topping is what will give your bread that irresistible, crunchy, golden finish.
Step 7: Assemble and Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle the streusel mixture evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs attached.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time helps to set the bread so it slices beautifully without crumbling apart.
How to Serve Easy Streusel Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Garnishes
This Easy Streusel Pumpkin Bread Recipe is delicious on its own, but topping slices with a smear of creamy butter or a drizzle of honey can elevate each bite. For a bit of decadence, try a dollop of whipped cream cheese or a sprinkle of powdered sugar right before serving.
Side Dishes
Serve this pumpkin bread alongside a comforting cup of coffee, chai tea, or hot apple cider for the perfect autumnal indulgence. It also pairs nicely with creamy soups or a fresh fruit salad for a balanced snack or light breakfast.
Creative Ways to Present
Looking to impress guests? Slice the bread into thick pieces and arrange them artfully on a wooden serving board surrounded by autumn leaves and nuts. You can also cut the slices into smaller squares and serve with small ramekins of cream cheese or nut butters for a delightful brunch spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any leftover bread tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. Stored at room temperature, it will stay moist and flavorful for about 3 days, making it perfect for enjoying throughout the week.
Freezing
This Easy Streusel Pumpkin Bread Recipe freezes beautifully. Slice and wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap and then foil, or store the whole loaf wrapped well in plastic and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to eat.
Reheating
To bring back that freshly baked warmth, reheat slices in a toaster oven or microwave for 15 to 20 seconds. A quick warm-up revives that tender texture and the aroma that makes pumpkin bread so irresistible.
FAQs
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin puree?
Yes, you can! Just make sure to cook, puree, and strain the fresh pumpkin first to remove excess moisture. The canned pumpkin puree is convenient and consistent, but fresh pumpkin can add a lovely homemade touch.
Can I substitute the nuts in this recipe?
Absolutely! Walnuts are classic, but pecans, almonds, or even pumpkin seeds can be used. If you have nut allergies, simply leave them out—the bread is delicious without any nuts too.
Is this recipe suitable for a dairy-free or vegan diet?
This recipe as is contains dairy and eggs, but you can make substitutions such as plant-based butter, non-dairy milk with acid to mimic buttermilk, and flax eggs to create a vegan-friendly version. Keep in mind the texture might vary slightly.
Why is buttermilk used in the recipe?
Buttermilk adds a subtle tang and reacts with the baking soda to create a light, tender crumb. It also helps balance the sweetness and enrich the overall flavor of the pumpkin bread.
Can I double the recipe to make two loaves?
Yes! Doubling the ingredients is straightforward, just use two loaf pans and bake each one separately or adjust baking times if baking simultaneously to ensure even cooking.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly cozy and soul-satisfying about this Easy Streusel Pumpkin Bread Recipe, and I hope it becomes a beloved staple in your baking repertoire. It’s the perfect way to welcome the flavors of the season into your home, simple enough to whip up any time, and universally loved by friends and family. Grab your ingredients, preheat that oven, and let yourself enjoy every delicious, spiced bite!
Print
Easy Streusel Pumpkin Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Streusel Pumpkin Bread is a moist and flavorful autumn dessert featuring warm spices and a sweet, crumbly streusel topping. Made with pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, this quick bread is perfect for cozy fall mornings or as a delightful snack. The addition of optional walnuts adds a pleasant crunch, while the streusel topping provides a sweet and textured contrast to the tender bread inside.
Ingredients
Bread Batter
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Streusel Topping
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves until combined. Set aside this spiced dry mixture.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using a mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes. This step incorporates air, helping the bread to rise.
- Add Eggs and Pumpkin: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed butter and sugar, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate them. Stir in the vanilla extract and pumpkin puree, mixing until smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender. If using, fold in the chopped walnuts at this stage.
- Make Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, rolled oats, cinnamon, and softened butter. Use your fingers or a fork to blend these ingredients until the mixture becomes crumbly and forms the streusel topping.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the batter to create a crunchy, sweet layer.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven.
- Cool the Bread: After baking, let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the bread firm up and makes slicing easier.
Notes
- If you prefer a nut-free version, simply omit the walnuts.
- Ensure the butter is softened, not melted, for proper creaming with sugar.
- Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to maintain a tender crumb.
- Check the bread at 60 minutes and cover with foil if the streusel topping browns too quickly.
- Store the pumpkin bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
