As autumn leaves begin to paint the landscape in hues of red and gold, and the air turns crisp with the promise of holidays, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread filling your home. This season, elevate your baking game and captivate your senses with our exquisite **Pumpkin Pecan Bread**. More than just a simple loaf, this is a celebration of fall flavors, a moist, tender, and perfectly spiced creation that promises to become a cherished addition to your holiday meals and everyday moments alike. Prepare to impress your guests and delight your family with every heavenly slice of this seasonal masterpiece.
The Ultimate Fall Treat: Pumpkin Pecan Bread
There are certain simple pleasures in life that bring an undeniable smile to your face – the warmth of fresh coffee, the indulgent sweetness of a peanut butter cup, or the pure joy of a baby’s laughter. For us, the unparalleled delight of homemade bread ranks high among these cherished moments. And when that homemade bread infuses the rich, earthy notes of pumpkin with the buttery crunch of pecans and a symphony of autumn spices, you’ve truly captured the essence of the season in a single loaf. This isn’t just baking; it’s an act of creating comfort, a sensory journey that starts the moment you mix the ingredients and culminates in that first, unforgettable bite.
Imagine the sublime fragrance that permeates every corner of your kitchen as this Pumpkin Pecan Bread bakes. The sweet, distinctive scent of pumpkin mingles beautifully with warm notes of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, creating an inviting atmosphere that is unmistakably fall. This isn’t merely a bread; it’s an experience. The resulting loaf is wonderfully versatile, making it an ideal companion for a variety of occasions. Serve it as a delightful side to a hearty fall soup, transforming a simple meal into something special. Enjoy it toasted and generously slathered with creamy butter, your favorite fruit jelly, or a drizzle of golden honey for a truly decadent breakfast or afternoon snack. Its wholesome goodness also makes it a fantastic sandwich bread, offering a subtle sweetness that pairs surprisingly well with savory fillings. Truly, you cannot go wrong with this comforting, flavorful bread.
Creating this delicious Pumpkin Pecan Bread is a rewarding process, whether you choose the convenience of a stand mixer or the satisfying, tactile experience of kneading by hand. While working the dough by hand might take a little more time, it’s a therapeutic endeavor that connects you more intimately with your baking. The effort is minimal compared to the incredible reward of a perfectly risen, golden-brown loaf. We wholeheartedly encourage you to give this recipe a try; it’s an experience that’s absolutely worth every moment spent in the kitchen.
Why This Pumpkin Pecan Bread Will Be Your Favorite
What makes our Pumpkin Pecan Bread truly stand out from the crowd? It’s a harmonious blend of carefully selected ingredients and a straightforward baking process that yields consistently delicious results. We believe in creating recipes that are both accessible for home bakers and deliver gourmet-level flavor and texture. This bread is a testament to that philosophy.
A Symphony of Fall Flavors
The core of this bread’s appeal lies in its impeccable flavor profile. We start with pure canned pumpkin, ensuring deep, authentic pumpkin flavor without the cloying sweetness or extra spices found in pie filling. This provides a wonderfully moist base and a subtle earthiness that perfectly complements the warming spices of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. These spices aren’t just an afterthought; they’re carefully balanced to evoke the cozy spirit of autumn, providing a gentle warmth that delights the palate without overpowering the delicate pumpkin and pecan notes. Each bite is a warm hug, a comforting taste of fall.
The Irresistible Crunch of Pecans
Pecans are not merely an addition but a vital component that elevates this bread from good to extraordinary. Their natural buttery richness and satisfying crunch provide a delightful textural contrast to the soft, tender crumb of the bread. Every slice is studded with these flavorful nuts, ensuring that you get a burst of pecan goodness in every bite. For an even deeper flavor, consider lightly toasting your pecans before incorporating them into the dough – this simple step intensifies their inherent nuttiness and adds another layer of complexity to the bread.
Perfectly Moist and Tender Texture
One of the hallmarks of a truly exceptional quick bread is its texture, and our Pumpkin Pecan Bread delivers on all fronts. Thanks to the generous amount of pumpkin puree, this loaf boasts an incredibly moist and tender crumb that remains delightful for days. It’s never dry or crumbly, instead offering a soft, yielding consistency that practically melts in your mouth. This moistness, combined with the slight chewiness of the crust and the crispness of the pecans, creates a multi-layered textural experience that will have you reaching for another slice.
Baking Success Tips for Your Pumpkin Pecan Bread
Achieving a perfect loaf of Pumpkin Pecan Bread is simpler than you might think, especially with a few helpful tips to guide you. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or new to the world of homemade bread, these insights will ensure your bread turns out beautifully every time.
Bread Machine vs. Hand Kneading
Our recipe is designed to be incredibly flexible. If you own a bread machine, it becomes an effortless process. Simply add all the ingredients in the order recommended by your machine’s manufacturer, select the “dough-only” setting, and let the machine do the hard work of mixing and kneading. This is a fantastic option for busy days or if you prefer a hands-off approach. However, for those who enjoy the tactile satisfaction of baking, kneading by hand is entirely feasible. While it requires a bit more time and elbow grease, there’s a unique joy in feeling the dough transform under your hands, yielding a light and airy texture through your own effort.
The Importance of Pumpkin Puree (Not Pie Filling)
This is a crucial distinction that can significantly impact the outcome of your bread. Always opt for canned pumpkin puree, which is simply cooked and pureed pumpkin. Avoid pumpkin pie filling, as it contains added sugars, spices, and sometimes other ingredients that will alter the flavor profile and moisture balance of this recipe. Using pure pumpkin ensures you have control over the sweetness and spice levels, allowing the natural flavors to shine through.
Proper Proofing for a Perfect Rise
Successful bread baking relies heavily on proper proofing. Ensure your milk is warm (around 105-115°F or 40-46°C) to activate the active dry yeast effectively. After shaping your dough into a loaf, cover it and allow it to rise in a warm, draft-free place. The goal is for the dough to rise until it’s about an inch above the pan, which usually takes around 30 minutes. This second rise (or “proofing”) is essential for a light, airy texture and a beautiful domed top. Don’t rush this step!
Achieving the Golden Crust and Cooked Interior
Baking at the correct temperature for the right duration is key. Our recipe calls for baking in a 400°F (200°C) oven for 30 minutes. This temperature helps create a lovely golden-brown crust while ensuring the interior cooks thoroughly. To check for doneness, you can insert a wooden skewer or toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, your bread is ready. Alternatively, gently tap the bottom of the loaf – a hollow sound indicates it’s fully baked.
Patience is a Virtue: Cooling Completely
It’s tempting to dive into a warm loaf straight out of the oven, but for optimal texture and flavor, patience is paramount. Always remove the bread from the pan and transfer it to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before slicing. This allows the internal structure of the bread to set and prevents it from becoming gummy or dense. Cooling also allows the flavors to fully meld, resulting in a more delicious and satisfying bread.
This recipe was originally featured at Seven Alive.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
- Pecan Pie Bars
- Cranberry Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole
- Maple Pecan Pie
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Pumpkin Cupcakes with Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Frosting
Pumpkin Pecan Bread Recipe
By Jamie Sherman
It’s Fall in a loaf! This delightful Pumpkin Pecan Bread combines the best flavors of the season into a moist, spiced, and crunchy bread that’s perfect for any occasion. This recipe is straightforward, whether you’re using a bread machine or kneading by hand, and yields a comforting treat that everyone will love.
- Servings: 12 servings
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
Ingredients
- ½ cup warm milk
- 1 ¼ cups canned pumpkin, NOT pumpkin pie filling
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
Instructions
- In a bread machine pan, place all of the ingredients in the order suggested by your manufacturer. Select the dough-only setting.
- After the bread machine signals that it is finished, gently punch down the dough to release air and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
- Roll the dough into an 11×7-inch rectangle. Starting from one of the long edges, carefully roll up the dough jelly-roll style, forming it into a neat loaf. Tuck the ends underneath to seal. Place the shaped dough into a well-greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover the pan and allow the dough to rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until the dough has risen about an inch above the pan’s rim.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the bread for 30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Once baked, remove the loaf from the oven and carefully transfer it to a wire cooling rack. Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing and serving. This ensures the bread’s internal structure sets properly and enhances its texture and flavor.
Notes
- A typical loaf of this size can be sliced into 12-16 slices, depending on your desired thickness and serving needs.
- For extra flavor, lightly toast the chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant before adding them to the dough.
- This bread freezes beautifully. Once completely cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Nutrition
(Approximate values per serving, based on 12 slices)
- Serving: 1 slice
- Calories: 219 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Cholesterol: 9mg
- Sodium: 174mg
- Potassium: 134mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 6g
- Vitamin A: 4081 IU
- Vitamin C: 1mg
- Calcium: 33mg
- Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
We hope you love this Pumpkin Pecan Bread as much as we do! It’s truly a labor of love that brings warmth and deliciousness to any occasion. If you try this recipe, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below and share your baking experience!
Originally published on November 16, 2013. Updated on April 24, 2021.