The smell of pumpkin pie spice always takes me back to my grandmother’s kitchen. Autumn afternoons were spent watching her bake, a warm glow radiating from the oven and a comforting aroma filling the air. She rarely followed recipes exactly – a pinch of this, a dash of that, always adjusting to her intuition. This Pumpkin Streusel Bread recipe is my modern take on her classic comfort baking, a little more precise, but packed with the same warmth and love. It’s a perfect treat for crisp mornings, cozy evenings, or simply when you need a little slice of fall happiness.
Why You’ll Adore This Pumpkin Streusel Bread
This isn’t just another pumpkin bread. This is the pumpkin bread. Here’s why:
- Moist & Tender: The secret is a combination of pumpkin puree, oil, and a touch of sour cream (or yogurt!) that keeps this bread incredibly moist and tender. It won’t dry out quickly, making it perfect for enjoying over several days.
- Perfectly Spiced: We’re not skimping on the spices! This recipe features a generous blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, creating a truly authentic pumpkin pie flavor.
- That Streusel!: The buttery, crunchy streusel topping is the star of the show. It’s sweet, buttery, and adds a delightful textural contrast to the soft bread. Seriously, you’ll be scraping the crumbs off the pan.
- Easy to Make: Despite sounding fancy, this recipe is surprisingly simple. No complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients needed.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you’re bringing it to a brunch, gifting it to a friend, or enjoying it with your family, this bread is guaranteed to be a hit.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s gather our ingredients! Here’s what you’ll need for both the bread and the delicious streusel topping.
For the Pumpkin Bread:
- 1 ½ cups (195g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (240ml) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling!)
- ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
- ¼ cup (60ml) sour cream or plain yogurt (full-fat recommended)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (50g) packed light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
Let’s Get Baking: Step-by-Step Instructions
Ready to create some autumnal magic? Follow these easy steps!
1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal.
2. Dry Ingredients – Bread: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt. Whisking ensures everything is evenly distributed.
3. Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer. Don’t rush this step – it’s key for a light and airy bread.
4. Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Combine Wet & Dry – Bread: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the pumpkin puree and sour cream/yogurt. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined – don’t overmix! Overmixing leads to tough bread.
6. Make the Streusel: In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the streusel. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry blender (or your fingers) to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Keep the butter cold – it’s what creates the streusel’s signature crunch.
7. Assemble & Bake: Pour the pumpkin bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the batter.
8. Baking Time: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs). Start checking for doneness around 50 minutes – ovens vary!
9. Cool Down: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Resist the urge to cut into it while it’s still warm – it needs time to set.
Tips, Variations, and Serving Suggestions
Let’s take this Pumpkin Streusel Bread to the next level!
Tips for Success:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature ingredients helps them blend together more easily and creates a more even texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Remember, overmixing leads to tough bread. Mix until just combined.
- Check for Doneness: Oven temperatures vary – always check for doneness with a skewer.
- Cool Completely: Patience is key! Letting the bread cool completely before slicing prevents it from crumbling.
Creative Variations:
- Chocolate Chips: Add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the batter for a chocolate pumpkin delight.
- Nuts: Add ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter or streusel for extra crunch.
- Maple Syrup: Substitute maple syrup for some of the granulated sugar for a richer flavor.
- Spiced Streusel: Add a pinch of ground ginger or cloves to the streusel topping for even more spice.
- Cream Cheese Swirl: Swirl a mixture of softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla into the batter before adding the streusel.
Serving Suggestions:
- Warm with Butter: Simply slice and serve warm with a pat of butter.
- With Coffee or Tea: This bread is the perfect accompaniment to a cozy cup of coffee or tea.
- As a Breakfast Treat: Toast a slice and enjoy it with your morning meal.
- Sweet & Savory: Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Nutritional Information (Approximate, per slice – assuming 10 slices)
- Calories: 320-350
- Fat: 15-18g
- Saturated Fat: 7-9g
- Cholesterol: 55-65mg
- Sodium: 200-250mg
- Carbohydrates: 45-50g
- Sugar: 25-30g
- Protein: 4-5g
Please note that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion size.
Isn’t that aroma amazing? Making this Pumpkin Streusel Bread is a labor of love, but the result is truly worth it. Don’t be intimidated – give this recipe a try. I promise, you’ll be hooked! Let me know in the comments how your baking adventure goes. Happy Baking!
