There is something utterly comforting about homemade pumpkin bread that wraps your kitchen in warm, spicy aromas and fills your heart with cozy joy. Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Recipe is a classic that captures all the best flavors of fall in a soft, moist loaf. Bursting with the rich taste of real pumpkin and perfectly balanced spices, this recipe is a tried-and-true favorite that transforms simple ingredients into a delicious treat you’ll want to bake again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Recipe is carefully chosen to create a harmonious blend of flavor, texture, and color. While it uses pantry staples, each component plays a vital role in making the bread tender, moist, and beautifully spiced.
- Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin (1 can, 15 ounces): The star of the show, providing moisture, natural sweetness, and that iconic pumpkin flavor.
- Large eggs (4): These bind everything together and add richness to the bread.
- Vegetable oil (1 cup): Keeps the bread tender and prevents it from drying out.
- Water (2/3 cup): Adds just the right amount of moisture for the perfect batter consistency.
- Granulated sugar (3 cups): Sweetens the bread and enhances the caramelized crust.
- All-purpose flour (3 1/2 cups): The foundation of the loaf, it provides structure.
- Baking soda (2 teaspoons): Leavens the bread, giving it a light and airy texture.
- Salt (1 1/2 teaspoons): Balances the sweetness and elevates all the flavors.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Brings warm, cozy spice notes essential for pumpkin bread.
- Ground nutmeg (1 teaspoon): Adds a slightly sweet, nutty fragrance.
- Ground cloves (1/2 teaspoon): Offers a hint of pungent spice that deepens the flavor.
- Ground ginger (1/4 teaspoon): Provides a subtle zing and brightness to the overall spice blend.
How to Make Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the oven and pans
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the perfect temperature once your batter is ready. Grease and flour two 9×5-inch loaf pans; this little step guarantees your pumpkin bread will release easily and maintain its beautiful shape after baking.
Step 2: Mix the wet ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin, eggs, vegetable oil, water, and granulated sugar. Beat these ingredients until they are thoroughly blended and smooth. This mixture forms the moist base of the bread, helping to create that signature tender crumb.
Step 3: Whisk the dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Whisking these dry ingredients well ensures the spices are evenly distributed and the leavening agents activate properly throughout the batter.
Step 4: Combine wet and dry components
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can develop too much gluten and make your bread dense, so be gentle for a tender, soft texture.
Step 5: Bake to perfection
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pans, smoothing the top lightly. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. This bake time allows the loaf to set and develop a slightly caramelized, crunchy crust with a moist interior.
Step 6: Cool and release
Once baked, let the bread cool in the pans for 10 minutes to firm up. Then, carefully remove the loaves from the pans and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling step finishes off the cooking process and makes slicing easier without crumbling.
How to Serve Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Garnishes
While this pumpkin bread is delightful on its own, adding a light spread of softened butter or cream cheese frosting takes it to another level of indulgence. For a festive touch, sprinkle a dusting of powdered sugar or chopped toasted nuts on top before serving.
Side Dishes
This loaf pairs beautifully with a warm cup of chai tea, coffee, or spiced cider, enhancing the cozy fall vibes. For a heartier breakfast, serve slices alongside scrambled eggs or yogurt with fresh fruit for a balanced meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider slicing Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Recipe into petite pieces to serve as part of a brunch board with cheeses, nuts, and seasonal fruits. You can also toast slices lightly and top with peanut butter or honey for a quick snack. For holiday gatherings, wrap individual slices in parchment and tie with a ribbon to gift to loved ones.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover pumpkin bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container at room temperature; it will stay fresh for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigeration can extend freshness to about a week, though it may dry out slightly.
Freezing
This recipe yields two loaves, making it perfect for freezing. Wrap each loaf or individual slices well in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen pumpkin bread maintains its quality for up to 3 months and is perfect for a quick thaw-and-eat treat anytime.
Reheating
To enjoy the bread warm, simply pop slices in the toaster or microwave for 15-20 seconds. Reheating highlights the spices and revives that fresh-baked softness, especially delightful with a pat of butter melting on top.
FAQs
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips to Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Recipe?
Absolutely! Adding 1 cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips is a great way to introduce extra texture and bursts of flavor. Fold them into the batter just before pouring it into the loaf pans.
Is this pumpkin bread gluten-free?
This particular recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free by default. However, you can experiment by substituting a gluten-free flour blend, but results may vary in texture and moisture.
How can I tell when the pumpkin bread is done baking?
The foolproof method is inserting a toothpick or skewer into the center of the loaf; if it comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs, your pumpkin bread is perfectly baked and ready to cool.
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned Libby’s pumpkin?
Canned Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin is recommended because of its consistent moisture and flavor. Fresh pumpkin needs to be cooked and pureed to the same consistency and moisture level for best results, which can be tricky to replicate exactly.
How long will this pumpkin bread stay fresh?
When stored properly at room temperature in an airtight container, the bread stays fresh for up to 3 days. Refrigeration can extend this to a week, but be sure to bring slices back to room temperature or warm them before eating.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to fill your kitchen with the warm, inviting aroma of fall, you simply must try Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Recipe. It’s a delicious, no-fuss way to experience the best flavors of autumn in every bite. Once you bake it, you’ll understand why this beloved recipe has earned its place in so many hearts and homes. Happy baking!
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Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 loaves (about 20 slices total)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Libby’s Pumpkin Bread is a classic American dessert perfect for fall baking, featuring moist, spiced pumpkin bread made with Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin and a blend of warm spices. This easy-to-make bread yields two loaves ideal for sharing or freezing, delivering a comforting and delicious treat.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 can (15 ounces) Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2/3 cup water
- 3 cups granulated sugar
Dry Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9×5-inch loaf pans to ensure the bread doesn’t stick and bakes evenly.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the pumpkin, eggs, vegetable oil, water, and granulated sugar until the mixture is well blended and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and ground ginger until evenly combined to distribute the spices and leavening agents.
- Mix Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the pumpkin mixture, stirring gently just until the batter is combined—avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Fill Pans and Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pans. Place them in the oven and bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean, indicating it’s fully baked.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Afterward, take the loaves out of the pans and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- This recipe yields two loaves, which makes it perfect for freezing to enjoy later or gifting during the holiday season.
- For added texture and flavor, consider stirring in 1 cup of chopped walnuts or chocolate chips into the batter before baking.
