This pumpkin bread is a cozy treat, made special with rich brown butter and sweet maple glaze. It’s packed with warm spices that fill your kitchen with amazing scents!
I love to enjoy a slice warm with a cup of tea. It’s perfect for chilly days and makes your home feel extra inviting. Plus, who can resist that shiny glaze? 🍁
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Unsalted Butter: Browning butter is key to adding a nutty depth of flavor to this bread. If you’re short on unsalted butter, you can use salted butter, but just reduce the added salt in the recipe by a pinch.
Pumpkin Puree: You can use canned pumpkin or make your own by roasting and pureeing fresh pumpkin. If you’re out of pumpkin, try substituting with applesauce for a different flavor.
Spices: The combo of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger truly defines this bread. If you don’t have ground cloves or ginger, you can substitute with allspice or simply increase the cinnamon for a warmer flavor.
Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup offers a unique taste, but if you don’t have it, you can use honey or agave syrup in a pinch. Adjust sweetness accordingly since they can vary greatly.
How Do I Ensure My Pumpkin Bread is Moist and Flavorful?
Achieving a moist pumpkin bread starts with proper mixing and ingredient measurement. First, measure your flour correctly; too much flour can make the bread dry. It’s best to spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife.
- When adding dry ingredients to wet, gently fold them together. Overmixing can produce tough bread!
- Keep an eye on the bake time. Every oven is different, so check for doneness a few minutes early. The bread should bounce back lightly when touched.
Letting the bread cool completely before glazing helps the glaze set nicely while keeping the bread soft and fluffy. Remember, patience is key!
Brown Butter Maple-Glazed Pumpkin Bread
Ingredients:
For the Pumpkin Bread:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
For the Maple Glaze:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious bread takes about 15 minutes to prepare, plus an hour of baking time. After baking, allow about 10 minutes for cooling before glazing. Including cooling time, you’ll want to set aside about 1 hour and 30 minutes in total to enjoy your creation!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper to make removal easier.
2. Brown the Butter:
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter while stirring frequently. Keep an eye on it until it turns a deep golden brown and starts to smell nutty—this should take about 4-6 minutes. Once done, remove from heat and pour the browned butter into a large mixing bowl to let it cool slightly.
3. Mix in the Sugars:
To the cooled browned butter, add the granulated and brown sugars. Stir until everything is well combined.
4. Add Wet Ingredients:
In the same bowl, add the pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk everything together until it’s fully mixed and smooth.
5. Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and all the spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bread tough.
7. Pour and Smooth the Batter:
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top with a spatula to ensure it bakes evenly.
8. Bake the Bread:
Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean. If the top is browning too quickly, tent it lightly with foil halfway through baking.
9. Prepare the Maple Glaze:
While the bread is baking, make the maple glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the maple syrup and let it come to a gentle simmer. Once simmering, remove it from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is smooth.
10. Cool and Glaze:
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack placed over a sheet pan. Pour the warm maple glaze over the bread, allowing the glaze to drip down the sides.
11. Slice and Enjoy:
Let the glaze set for a few minutes, then allow the bread to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy your deliciously rich and cozy brown butter maple-glazed pumpkin bread!
This flavorful loaf is sure to fill your home with inviting aromas and makes a perfect treat for fall or any gathering! 🍂
Can I Use Different Types of Sugar?
Yes, you can use all granulated sugar instead of a mix of granulated and brown sugar. However, using brown sugar adds moisture and a richer flavor. If you want a deeper flavor, consider using dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar!
Can I Make This Recipe Gluten-Free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just ensure that your blend contains xanthan gum or use a blend that has it included, as this helps with the structure of the loaf.
How Should I Store Leftover Pumpkin Bread?
Store any leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before serving!
Can I Add Mix-ins to the Batter?
Definitely! Feel free to add chocolate chips, walnuts, or pecans to the batter for extra flavor and texture. About 1 cup of mix-ins should work well, but make sure to adjust your baking time as needed for even baking.
