If you’re craving something cozy, simple, and utterly delicious, this 5-Ingredient Pumpkin Bread will become your new go-to recipe. With just a handful of pantry staples, this loaf delivers warm autumn flavor, moist crumb, and sweet pumpkin goodness in every bite. Perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert, it comes together in about an hour and fills your kitchen with an irresistibly inviting aroma. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a total novice, this recipe is a foolproof way to celebrate pumpkin season and impress everyone at the table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity—just five accessible ingredients, each chosen for maximum impact. They work together harmoniously to create the taste, texture, and golden color you expect from the best pumpkin bread. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Eggs: These provide structure and moisture, ensuring your bread is nicely risen and tender.
- Brown Sugar: Adds deep, caramel-like sweetness and extra moisture for a soft, flavorful crumb.
- Pumpkin Spice: Instantly infuses your bread with that beloved, warming blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Pumpkin Puree: The heart of this loaf, pumpkin adds color, moisture, and mellow sweetness—make sure it’s pure pumpkin, not pie filling.
- Self-Rising Flour: Delivers the perfect rise and a pinch of salt, streamlining the baking process and ensuring a light, fluffy loaf every time.
How to Make 5-Ingredient Pumpkin Bread
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F—this ensures even baking. While the oven heats, grease a standard loaf pan thoroughly with nonstick spray or a little butter. This simple prep guarantees your pumpkin bread pops out easily once it’s baked.
Step 2: Whisk the Eggs
Crack the eggs into a large mixing bowl and give them a solid whisk until the yolks and whites are fully blended. This creates the foundation of the bread’s structure and helps it bake up light and tender.
Step 3: Add Brown Sugar, Pumpkin Spice, and Pumpkin Puree
To the eggs, add the brown sugar, pumpkin spice, and pumpkin puree. Whisk everything together until the mixture is totally smooth and looks almost like a thick, golden custard. This step combines all the flavor-makers and sweeteners in one go.
Step 4: Stir In the Flour
Switch to a wooden spoon or a sturdy whisk, and gently stir in the self-rising flour. The key here is to mix until just combined—don’t overdo it, or the bread can turn dense. A few small lumps are perfectly fine.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Pop it into the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Cool the loaf in the pan for about 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to finish cooling completely before slicing.
How to Serve 5-Ingredient Pumpkin Bread
Garnishes
This bread is delightful straight from the loaf, but you can make it extra special with a simple dusting of powdered sugar, a smear of soft butter, or even a drizzle of maple glaze for a touch of decadence. Chopped toasted pecans or walnuts also add a pleasant crunch if you like some texture.
Side Dishes
For a cozy breakfast, serve a warm slice alongside fresh fruit, thick Greek yogurt, or a mug of chai tea or coffee. If you’re setting out an afternoon snack or brunch spread, fresh berries or a fruit compote make beautiful, complementary sides.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting the 5-Ingredient Pumpkin Bread into cubes and serving as part of a fall-themed dessert board, or toast slices and top with cream cheese and honey for an elegant treat. For a festive touch, tie parchment-wrapped mini slices with twine for giftable, homemade favors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover 5-Ingredient Pumpkin Bread keeps beautifully at room temperature. Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap or foil, or store slices in an airtight container. It’ll stay moist and fresh for up to three days on the counter.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze individual slices or the whole loaf. Wrap well in plastic and then in foil, or pop slices into freezer bags. It should hold up well for up to three months; just thaw overnight in the fridge or several hours at room temp before enjoying.
Reheating
If you love warm pumpkin bread (who doesn’t?), reheat slices in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds, or pop them on a baking sheet in a 300 degree oven for a few minutes until just warmed through. This brings back that just-baked flavor and texture beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use homemade pumpkin puree instead of canned?
Absolutely! Just make sure your homemade puree is smooth and not watery, as excess moisture can alter the bread’s texture. If it’s a bit thin, blot away extra liquid with paper towels before using.
What if I don’t have self-rising flour?
No worries! You can quickly make your own by combining all-purpose flour with baking powder and a little salt. For this recipe, use 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour plus 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Does 5-Ingredient Pumpkin Bread taste too sweet?
This pumpkin bread is gently sweet, thanks to the brown sugar, but it’s not overpowering. It’s great for breakfast or snack, and you can always add a sprinkle of flaky salt on top if you like a sweet-savory balance.
Can I add mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts?
Absolutely! While the beauty of 5-Ingredient Pumpkin Bread is its simplicity, a handful of chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even dried cranberries can be folded in right before baking for an extra burst of flavor and texture.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
As written, this bread uses regular self-rising flour, which contains gluten. However, you can try it with a gluten-free self-rising flour blend for a gluten-free version. Results may vary slightly, but it’s worth a try!
Final Thoughts
Baking shouldn’t be complicated, and this 5-Ingredient Pumpkin Bread proves that simple ingredients and a straightforward process can deliver something genuinely special. Whether you’re making it for family, friends, or for yourself on a cozy afternoon, I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your kitchen as it does to mine. Give it a try—you may just find your new favorite fall treat.
Print
5-Ingredient Pumpkin Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 slices
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in the warm, comforting flavors of fall with this easy 5-Ingredient Pumpkin Bread recipe. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or a sweet treat, this moist and flavorful bread is sure to become a seasonal favorite.
Ingredients
Eggs
2 large eggs
Brown Sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
Pumpkin Spice
2 tsp. pumpkin spice
Pumpkin Puree
1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin puree
Self-Rising Flour
1 3/4 cups self-rising flour, spoon & leveled
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a standard-size loaf pan and set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs. Then whisk in sugar, pumpkin spice, and pumpkin puree.
- Add Flour: Stir in flour with a whisk or a wooden spoon. Do not overmix.
- Bake: Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Brown sugar: Brown sugar sweetens the bread and makes the bread moist. For best results, do not substitute with white sugar or any other sweetener.
- Self-rising flour: Contains baking powder and salt. If you use all-purpose flour you’ll need to add 2 1/4 baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the batter.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 45 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 133
- Sugar: 12.9 g
- Sodium: 16.8 mg
- Fat: 1.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Protein: 3.2 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg
