If you love Starbucks signature sweet and spicy pumpkin bread check out this simple delicious copycat recipe, only your wallet will be able to tell the difference. 

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At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

Easy Pumpkin Loaf Bread

I am a sucker for a slice of pumpkin bread and have always been partial to Starbucks pumpkin bread with its strong spices and pumpkin seeds on the top, yum! After years of making pumpkin bread I have finally figured out how they make their signature fall treat. 

For years I was trying to just use pumpkin spice but have found that using pumpkin pie spice mix that has been elevated with extra spices gives you that strong pumpkin and spice dynamic that makes this fall bread a classic. 

How to Make Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Bread

To make this recipe, you’ll need:

• White sugar – I use white sugar to sweeten the pumpkin bread since it gives the bread a pure sweetness without any added flavors. 
• Light brown sugar – light brown sugar gives the bread a slight molasses flavor that blends perfectly with the spices in this pumpkin bread. 
• Vegetable oil – you can use any oil for this recipe to add fat that will help the bread come together. Avoid any type of oil that has a distinct flavor of its own such as olive oil since you want the pumpkin bread to taste like the pumpkin and spices. 
• Eggs – eggs will give the pumpkin bread richness and structure because of their high protein content. I always use farm fresh eggs since they have a darker, richer yoke. 
• Pureed pumpkin – pumpkin puree adds an earthy, nutty, sweet flavor and moisture to the pumpkin bread. I use canned pumpkin puree for this recipe but you can use fresh, see tip #1 below for more info. 
• Water – I use water to thin the pumpkin puree so the end result is a light rich pumpkin bread. 
• Flour – use all purpose flour in this pumpkin bread to bring the dough together and give it a good structure. If you use bread flour, the end result will be chewier and more like a conventional yeasted sandwich bread. 
• Baking soda – baking soda will give the bread a good rise since it doesn’t have yeast. You want to make sure you don’t add too much baking soda or your pumpkin bread will have a bitter taste. 
• Salt – I use fine grain sea salt in my pumpkin bread. It distributes evenly throughout the bread and draws out the flavor of the ingredients, especially the pumpkin puree. 
• Cloves – cloves are the flower buds from a tree found in the forests in Indonesia. It has a very strong woody fruity flavor so use sparingly. 
• Pumpkin pie spice – similar to the English Commonwealth mixed spice, pumpkin pie spice is a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice. If you don’t have any pumpkin pie spice on hand, see tip #2 below to make your own. 
• Cinnamon – cinnamon is the bark of the Cinnamomum tree commonly found in tropical regions of the world and is one of the oldest known spices dating back to the Chinese in 3000 BC. It has a sweet, warm, earthy flavor that pairs well with pumpkin. I use extra cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to enhance the pumpkin pie spice mixture. 
• Nutmeg – nutmeg is the kernel of the seed from Nutmeg trees found in the tropical islands of the East Indies. It has a warm, sweet, very strong flavor. 
• Pepitas – pepitas are roasted pumpkin seeds without the shells. These will be available at most supermarkets in the baking department but the other nuts. 

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use the following method:

• Mix – In a large bowl mix the sugars, eggs, oil and pureed pumpkin. Once it has come together add the water and whisk until homogeneous. In another smaller bowl, sift together all the remaining dry ingredients. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir until combined, don’t overmix since that will make the pumpkin bread tough. 
• Add to pans and top – Separate the mix into 2 greased loaf pans and sprinkle with the chopped pepitas. 
• Bake- Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes to an hour or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center. Let it cool to retain moisture. 
• Serve – Slice and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks to Perfect Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Bread:

You will love these tips and tricks for your copycat Starbucks pumpkin bread.

Fresh vs. Canned Pumpkin: Fresh pumpkin has a different flavor (more like butternut squash) than canned pumpkin. If you want to use fresh puree you can cut a pumpkin in half, clean out the seeds, then place it on a roasting pan with the flesh down and bake it at 375 degrees until a knife inserted into the outer skin inserts easily (about an hour). Then scoop out the inside and mash it to make a puree. 

Make Your Own Pumpkin Pie Spice: To make your own pumpkin pie spice, mix 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground cloves, 2 tsp ground ginger, and ½ tsp ground nutmeg in a glass jar and shake to combine. It will keep for up to 4 years at room temperature. 

Quality Pumpkin Puree: Go for 100% pure pumpkin for the best flavor and moisture. Canned usually works great.

Spice Mix: If you can’t find pumpkin spice, make your own with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. The right blend is key for that signature fall flavor.

Moisture Matters: To avoid dry bread, use oil instead of butter and consider adding a bit of sour cream or yogurt.

Even Mixing: Don’t overmix your batter; mix just until the wet and dry ingredients are combined to keep the bread tender.

Taste Test: Adjust your spices and sugar according to your preference before pouring into the loaf pan.

Loaf Pan Prep: Use parchment paper or grease the pan well to ensure easy removal of the bread.

Temperature Check: Bake at 350°F (175°C) and check doneness with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, it’s done!

Cooling is Key: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This makes slicing easier.

Optional Glaze: For added sweetness, consider a simple sugar glaze or cream cheese frosting on top.

Make Ahead: The flavors actually intensify after a day, making it a great make-ahead option. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container.

Freezing: If you want to keep some for later, this bread freezes well. Wrap it in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil before popping it in the freezer.

FAQ’s:

What to Serve With Pumpkin Bread

If you enjoyed this delicious copycat starbucks pumpkin bread you will also love, Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins loaded with creamy flavor, fun and delicious Pumpkin Magic Bars, try a similar Pumpkin Loaf Bread, a simple, budget-friendly Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe our delicious, easy Pumpkin Hand Pies and our Pumpkin Pie Punch! Or our deliciously Easy Spider Decorated Cookies!

Try this bread with some of our other breakfast favorites:

How To Dye Easter Eggs

Sourdough English Muffins

Easy Sourdough Discard Bagels

Scottish Tattie Scones

Simple Eggnog Recipe

Ham and Cheese Croissant Strata

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Bread Recipe

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