Nothing says cozy fall baking like a warm loaf of pumpkin bread filled with nutmeg and cloves. This easy pumpkin bread recipe is perfect for busy people who want a homemade treat without spending hours in the kitchen. The creamy pumpkin flavor, moist texture, and aromatic spices make it ideal for holiday gatherings, afternoon snacks, or a sweet breakfast slice with coffee.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
5 Reasons Why You’ll Love It
- Classic fall flavors in every bite
- Perfectly moist and fluffy texture
- Easy, no-fuss baking process
- Great for breakfast, dessert, or gifting
- Freezer-friendly for make-ahead convenience
Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Servings: 10 slices
Ingredients List
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- 9×5 inch loaf pan
- Cooling rack
- Sharp knife for slicing
How to Make Step-by-Step
Step 1:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
Step 2:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Step 3:
In a large bowl, whisk pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla, and milk until smooth and well combined.
Step 4:
Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined; batter should be thick but smooth.
Step 5:
Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.
Step 6:
Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 7:
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Bread with Nutmeg & Cloves
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Loaf pan
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup pumpkin puree canned
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a loaf pan.
- Whisk dry ingredients together in a bowl.
- Mix pumpkin, sugars, oil, eggs, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
- Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture gently.
- Pour batter into loaf pan and bake 50–55 minutes.
- Cool 10 minutes in pan, then transfer to rack.
Notes
Nutrition
Variations to Try
- Add chocolate chips or walnuts for extra richness.
- Swirl in cream cheese filling for a bakery-style upgrade.
Storage Tips
- Store pumpkin bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerate for up to 5 days to keep it extra fresh.
- Freeze individual slices wrapped in foil or plastic wrap for up to 2 months.
Pro Tips
- Use canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Don’t overmix the batter to keep the bread fluffy.
- Warm up a slice in the microwave and spread with butter for a cozy treat.
- For a festive touch, dust the top with powdered sugar before serving.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fat: 11g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 24g
Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.
FAQs
can I make this bread ahead of time?
Yes, bake and wrap tightly. Store at room temperature or freeze slices.
can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?
Yes, but be sure to cook and puree it until smooth, and drain excess water.
why is my pumpkin bread dense?
Overmixing or too much flour can make it heavy. Gently fold ingredients together.
can I bake this in mini loaf pans?
Absolutely, just reduce bake time to about 25–30 minutes.
Closing Notes
This Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Bread with nutmeg and cloves is the ultimate fall comfort bake. With its warm spices, soft texture, and classic flavor, it’s a recipe worth saving for every autumn. Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven or frozen for later, this bread makes every slice feel like a cozy hug.
