Five Spice Pumpkin Bread

By: MeganPosted: 02/11/2023 Updated: 06/10/2024
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 1 hour 5 minutes
Total 1 hour 15 minutes

Extra moist five-spice pumpkin bread packed with cinnamon, five spice, and pumpkin flavor. This spin on a classic pumpkin bread recipe will be the BEST pumpkin bread you will ever have.

Five Spice Pumpkin Bread

Extra moist five-spice pumpkin bread packed with cinnamon, five spice, and pumpkin flavor. This spin on a classic pumpkin bread recipe will be the BEST pumpkin bread you will ever have.

A sliced loaf of five spice pumpkin bread sitting on a parchment lined board.

When the leaves start to turn and the air gets colder it’s time to whip out this easy five-spice pumpkin bread recipe. The cinnamon and five spice blend beautifully with the pumpkin puree for a new spin on a fall classic. This is the best pumpkin bread recipe because it is SO easy to make and yields the most mouthwateringly delicious and moist pumpkin bread.

The pumpkin spice bread’s texture is light and moist similar to the consistency of our miso banana bread. Slather some butter on a warm slice of this pumpkin loaf for the most comforting fall treat. If you want more fall inspiration, check out our apple pie, five-spice snickerdoodle cookies, and pumpkin spice mochi muffins.

A sliced up loaf of pumpkin bread on a serving board.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are a ton of reasons why you should make this five-spice pumpkin loaf recipe, but here are my top 3 reasons.

  • Easy to make. This easy pumpkin bread recipe is incredibly easy to follow and requires no electric mixer!
  • Perfect for fall. Pumpkin spice bread smells wonderfully fall when it bakes and contains tons of pumpkin warm cinnamon and five-spice flavors.
  • Adaptable. You can easily adjust and customize this moist pumpkin bread recipe with chocolate chips, chopped pecans, etc.
Someone lifting a slice of pumpkin bread from a sliced loaf.

Kitchen Equipment

You will need the following items of kitchen equipment to make the best pumpkin bread recipe.

  • Kitchen Scale: the best way to measure ingredients for this moist pumpkin bread recipe is to use a kitchen scale.
  • Mixing Bowls: you will need mixing bowls to mix the wet and dry pumpkin loaf ingredients.
  • Whisk: a whisk will combine all the ingredients together.
  • 9×5 Loaf Pan: this easy pumpkin bread recipe will yield enough for one 9×5 loaf pan.
Various loaf pans sitting on a tiled counter.
Any style of 9×5 loaf pan will work.

Ingredients

Here are all the key ingredients you will need for this easy pumpkin bread recipe and why.

  • All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour gives this easy quick bread recipe a delicious and moist crumb.
  • Baking Soda and Baking Powder: baking soda and baking powder are the leavening agents.
  • Salt: salt balances out the sweetness from the sugar and enhances the other ingredients.
  • Cinnamon: cinnamon is the quintessential fall ingredient that adds warmth to the moist pumpkin bread recipe.
  • Five Spice: five spice is a blend of star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds that adds notes of warm sweetness, subtle heat, and a touch of licorice.
  • Granulated Sugar: sugar sweetens the five-spice pumpkin bread.
  • Brown Sugar: brown sugar sweetens and adds moisture to the pumpkin loaf recipe.
  • Pumpkin Puree: make sure to use pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie mix. I always use Libby’s pumpkin puree for the best flavor.
  • Vegetable oil: you can use any neutral flavored oil like vegetable oil, canola oil, or corn oil so it doesn’t alter the flavor of the bread. Oil also adds moisture which prevents the pumpkin loaf from drying out.
  • Vanilla Extract: vanilla extract adds a touch of warm vanilla flavor.
  • Eggs: eggs at room temperature aid in the rise of the five-spice pumpkin bread.
  • Milk: milk adds moisture and fat to the pumpkin loaf recipe to prevent it from getting too dense.
All the ingredients for five spice pumpkin bread organized and labeled.

Substitutions and Additions

This is your easy pumpkin bread recipe, which means you can alter the recipe based on your preferences. I’ve listed some suggestions for you below.

Substitutions

  • Butter: for a richer and slightly more dense flavor, you can use butter instead of oil.
  • Buttermilk: for a richer moist pumpkin bread recipe, you can use buttermilk instead of milk.
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice: if you’d like a more traditional pumpkin loaf recipe, you can use pumpkin pie spice instead of five spice.

Additions

Here is a list of additional ingredients you can add to your pumpkin spice bread to make it yours.

  • Chocolate chips
  • Raisins
  • Cranberries
  • Chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts,
  • Streusel topping
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • Cream cheese swirls
  • Chocolat ganache swirls

How to Make Five Spice Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Here is the best pumpkin bread recipe you will ever come across! All you have to do is mix the dry ingredients, wet ingredients, combine, and bake.

  1. Prepare the oven and pan. Preheat oven to 325°F, place your oven rack in the center of the oven, and lightly grease your 9×5 inch loaf pan.
  2. Whisk dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and five spice until combined.
Someone whisking together the dry ingredients for pumpkin bread.
  1. Mix wet ingredients and sugars. In a second large bowl, whisk the granulated sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, and oil until combined. Then add the eggs, milk, and vanilla. Whisk until combined.
All the wet ingredients for pumpkin bread mixed together in a large mixing bowl.
  1. Combine. Working in two batches, mix half of the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until combined then mix in the rest of the dry ingredients until just combined. The batter should be smooth and thick with a few lumps.
Five spice pumpkin bread batter in a large mixing bowl.
  1. Bake. Pour the batter into the greased pan. Bake for 65-75 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean. Let the pumpkin spice bread cool for 5 minutes before removing it and transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely
A loaf pan filled with pumpkin bread batter ready for baking.

Tips for the Best Pumpkin Bread

  • Measure the ingredients with a kitchen scale. Measuring flour can be tricky. To get the most accurate measurements, use a kitchen scale.
  • Do not over-mix. For a light and airy crumb, make sure to not over-mix the batter or the spiced pumpkin bread could be tough. Stop mixing when the dry ingredients are just combined. It is okay to have a few lumps.
  • Use fresh leavening ingredients. Check to see if your baking powder, baking soda, and eggs are fresh and within their expiration date. This is crucial for the pumpkin spice bread’s rise and texture.
  • Do not overbake. Bake until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter. Overbaking can yield a dry texture.
  • Experiment with add-ins! for a personalized experience, why not add chocolate, nuts, or dried fruits for added texture and flavor?
A loaf of five spice pumpkin bread on a parchment lined board.

Storage Instructions

This moist pumpkin bread recipe is best served within 24 hours. However, you can store it wrapped in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days. You can also keep the bread in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Reheat: place the spiced pumpkin bread in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to warm.

Freeze: The five-spice pumpkin bread can be frozen for up to 3 months. After it is completely cooled, wrap it securely in aluminum foil, freezer wrap, or place in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Frequently Asked Q’s & A’s

Can I use fresh pumpkin puree instead of canned pumpkin puree?

Yes of course! All you will need to do is roast or boil a fresh pumpkin, scoop out the flesh, and puree it until smooth.

Why is my pumpkin bread dense on the bottom?

There can be a variety of reasons why your pumpkin bread turned out dense

  1. Overmixing. Overmixing the batter could develop too much gluten resulting in a dense texture. Make sure to mix until just incorporated and there are still a few lumps.
  2. Too much moisture to flour ratio. Too much moisture from the liquid ingredients and not enough flour can add excess moisture to the batter making the bread dense. Make sure to measure the ingredients with a kitchen scale.
  3. Leaving the pumpkin bread in the pan too long. Make sure to remove the pumpkin bread from the pan 5 minutes after removing it from the oven to prevent excess steaming which can cause a dense bottom.
  4. Check the expiration date for leavening agents. Check the expiration dates of your baking soda, baking powder, and eggs to make sure they are still active.

What is the best baking pan for pumpkin bread?

For best results use an aluminum nonstick loaf pan. If you choose to use a glass or stone loaf pan, note that the bake time may vary. To check if the five-spice pumpkin bread is ready, insert a toothpick in the center and if it comes clean then the bread is done.

How do you serve pumpkin bread?

You can serve this spiced pumpkin bread with a cup of coffee, warmed in the microwave with butter, cream cheese, Nutella, or almond butter.

Did you make this Five Spice Pumpkin Bread Recipe?

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Five Spice Pumpkin Bread

Rate this recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Extra moist five spice pumpkin bread packed with cinnamon, five spice and pumpkin flavor. This unique spin on a classic pumpkin bread recipe will be the BEST pumpkin bread you will ever have.
Servings: 1 loaf
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Prepare the oven and pan. Preheat oven to 325°F, place your oven rack in the center of the oven, and lightly grease your 9×5 inch loaf pan.
  • Whisk dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and five-spice until combined.
  • Mix wet ingredients and sugars. In a second large bowl, whisk the granulated sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, and oil until combined. Then add the eggs, milk, and vanilla. Whisk until combined.
  • Combine. Working in two batches, mix half of the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until combined then mix in the rest of the dry ingredients until just combined. The batter should be smooth and thick with a few lumps.
  • Bake. Pour the batter into the greased pan. Bake for 65-75 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean. Let the pumpkin spice bread cool for 5 minutes before removing it and transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely

Notes

  • Measure the ingredients with a kitchen scale. Measuring flour can be tricky. To get the most accurate measurements, use a kitchen scale.
  • Do not over mix. For a light and airy crumb, make sure to not over mix the batter or the spiced pumpkin bread could be tough. Stop mixing when the dry ingredients are just combined. It is okay to have a few lumps.
  • Use fresh leavening ingredients. Check to see if your baking powder, baking soda and eggs are fresh and within their expiration date. This is crucial for the pumpkin spice bread’s rise and texture.
  • Do not over bake. Bake until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter. Over baking can yield a dry texture.
  • Experiment with add-ins! For a personalized experience, why not add chocolate, nuts, or dried fruits for added texture and flavor.
  • Storage Instructions: This moist pumpkin bread recipe is best served within 24 hours. However, you can store it wrapped in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days. You can also keep the bread in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Equipment

Nutrition:

Calories: 3287kcal | Carbohydrates: 500g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 130g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 69g | Monounsaturated Fat: 31g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 335mg | Sodium: 3912mg | Potassium: 1730mg | Fiber: 22g | Sugar: 294g | Vitamin A: 71121IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 621mg | Iron: 22mg

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