If you’re on the hunt for a cozy, comforting treat that captures the essence of fall and fills your home with the irresistible aroma of warm spices, you simply must try Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Recipe. This classic quick bread is a symphony of moist pumpkin, aromatic spices, and just the right sweetness, creating slices that are perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even a simple dessert. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe offers an easy, fail-proof way to bring a little seasonal magic into your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create bakery-quality pumpkin bread. Each component plays an important role—the pumpkin adds moisture and richness, the spices provide depth and warmth, and the sugar balances every bite with just enough sweetness.
- Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin (1 can, 15 ounces): The star ingredient for that authentic pumpkin flavor and tender texture.
- Large eggs (4): Bind everything beautifully while adding richness.
- Vegetable oil (1 cup): Keeps the bread moist and soft without overpowering the pumpkin flavor.
- Water (2/3 cup): Helps balance the batter for perfect consistency.
- Granulated sugar (3 cups): Sweetens the bread just right, creating a perfect golden crust.
- All-purpose flour (3 1/2 cups): Forms the structure of the bread, giving it that tender crumb we love.
- Baking soda (2 teaspoons): Works as a leavening agent for a light, airy bread.
- Salt (1 1/2 teaspoons): Enhances all the other flavors beautifully.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Adds warm, sweet spice notes that complement the pumpkin.
- Ground nutmeg (1 teaspoon): Brings a slightly sweet and nutty nuance.
- Ground cloves (1/2 teaspoon): Infuses a touch of smoky sharpness.
- Ground ginger (1/4 teaspoon): Adds a subtle, zesty warmth to round out the spice profile.
How to Make Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Pans
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, generously grease and flour two 9×5-inch loaf pans. This step ensures your pumpkin bread will release easily after baking without sticking or breaking apart. Trust me, it makes all the difference when you’re ready to slice and serve.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the Libby’s pumpkin, eggs, vegetable oil, water, and granulated sugar. Whisk them until everything is completely blended. This mixture becomes the moist, tender foundation of your bread—getting it smooth and well combined here sets you up for perfect texture later.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Mixing these spices into the flour helps distribute their flavors evenly throughout every bite, so no slice is missing that cozy fall character.
Step 4: Blend Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually stir the dry ingredient bowl into the pumpkin mixture. Stir just until all traces of flour disappear—overmixing can make the bread dense, so slow and steady wins this race. The batter should be thick, slightly lumpy, and ready to pour.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Pour the batter evenly into your prepared loaf pans. Place them on the middle rack of your oven and bake for 60 to 70 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the loaves to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack so they cool completely. This cooling period lets the flavors settle and improves the bread’s sliceability—plus, it’s so tempting you might want to cut in immediately!
How to Serve Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Garnishes
This pumpkin bread shines on its own, but topping slices with a smear of creamy butter or a dollop of mascarpone can take it to the next level. For an indulgent twist, a light drizzle of honey or maple syrup enhances the warmth of the spices perfectly.
Side Dishes
Pair your pumpkin bread with a hot cup of chai tea, coffee, or even a cold glass of milk for a simple yet satisfying snack. It can also complement a breakfast spread alongside scrambled eggs and fresh fruit, adding variety and seasonal charm.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice and lightly toast pieces of the pumpkin bread, then top with cream cheese and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar for a festive brunch offering. For gifting, wrap a whole loaf in parchment and tie it with rustic twine—friends will love this thoughtful homemade touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find you can’t finish both loaves right away, no worries. Store the cooled bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or keep it in the fridge to extend freshness for about a week.
Freezing
This is one of the best pumpkin breads to freeze! Wrap the cooled loaves well in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, or place slices in freezer bags for convenient single servings. Frozen, it keeps beautifully for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
Reheating
To enjoy leftovers like they’re fresh, thaw frozen slices at room temperature and warm in a toaster oven or microwave for about 20 seconds. This restores that just-baked softness with deliciously warm spices—pure cozy comfort in every bite.
FAQs
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips to Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Recipe?
Absolutely! Adding about 1 cup of chopped walnuts or semi-sweet chocolate chips adds wonderful texture and bursts of flavor. Just fold them gently into the batter before pouring it into the pans.
Is Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Recipe gluten-free?
The classic recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. However, you can experiment with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking, keeping in mind that texture and rise may vary slightly.
How do I know when the bread is fully baked?
Insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, your bread is perfectly baked. Any wet batter means it needs more time in the oven.
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned Libby’s pumpkin?
Canned Libby’s pumpkin is recommended for consistent moisture and flavor, but if using fresh pumpkin, be sure to cook, puree, and drain it thoroughly so your batter doesn’t become too watery.
What’s the best way to slice the pumpkin bread?
Use a serrated knife and cut gently with a sawing motion to prevent crumbling. Allowing the bread to cool completely before slicing also helps maintain clean, pretty slices.
Final Thoughts
Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Recipe is one of those timeless classics that never fails to delight. It’s an easy, dependable way to bring warmth and comfort to your kitchen throughout the fall season and beyond. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll become a staple you’ll return to year after year—so grab your ingredients and get baking!
Print
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 moist and flavorful fall favorite, combining the rich taste of pure pumpkin with warm spices for a deliciously aromatic treat. This easy-to-make bread is perfect for breakfast, snacking, or gifting, and yields two loaves that can be frozen for later enjoyment.
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 the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9×5-inch loaf pans to ensure the bread doesn’t stick.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the pumpkin, eggs, vegetable oil, water, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agent.
- Mix wet and dry ingredients: Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Fill pans and bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pans and smooth the tops. Place them in the preheated oven and bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the bread: Remove the pans from the oven and let the pumpkin bread cool for 10 minutes in the pans. Then, transfer the loaves to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- This recipe yields two loaves, making it ideal for freezing or sharing as gifts.
- For added texture and flavor, you can mix in 1 cup of chopped walnuts or chocolate chips into the batter before baking.
