This cozy pumpkin bread is super tasty with its warm flavors of brown butter and maple. It’s moist and perfect for those chilly days when you want to cuddle up with something sweet.
Making this bread feels like a warm hug! I love having a slice with my morning coffee. It’s so inviting that you’ll want to share it, but you might just keep it all to yourself! 😄
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Brown Butter: This adds a nutty flavor to the bread. If you’re short on time, you can use regular melted butter, but browning it really enhances the taste!
Pumpkin Puree: Use pure pumpkin puree for the best flavor. If fresh pumpkin isn’t available, canned pumpkin works great. Avoid pumpkin pie filling as it’s sweetened and spiced differently.
Flour: All-purpose flour is essential for structure. If you’re gluten-free, consider a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, which performs well in baking.
Maple Syrup: This gives the glaze its signature flavor. If you’re in a pinch, honey or agave syrup can work as substitutes, but you’ll miss that maple taste.
How Do I Brown Butter Without Burning It?
Browning butter adds fantastic depth to the recipe. To do it right, keep an eye on the process! Here’s how:
- Use a light-colored saucepan, so you can see the butter’s color change.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and burning.
- Look for a golden brown color and a nutty aroma. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
- Once it’s browned, remove from heat immediately to avoid burning.
Let it cool slightly before using. This technique will elevate your bread, making it taste gourmet!
How to Make Brown Butter Maple-Glazed Pumpkin Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Pumpkin Bread:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1/4 cup whole milk or buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Maple Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or cream (to thin, if needed)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious pumpkin bread takes about 15 minutes of prep time and will bake for 55-65 minutes. Don’t forget to let it cool for 10 minutes in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. So, give yourself about 1 hour and 30 minutes in total, plus some time for the glaze!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Make sure to grease and flour a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
2. Brown the Butter:
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Keep stirring it frequently until it turns golden brown and smells nutty, which should take about 5 minutes. Once browned, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. This tasty mix will give your bread its great flavor!
4. Combine Wet Ingredients:
In a large bowl, mix together the browned butter, granulated sugar, and egg until well combined.
5. Add Pumpkin and Milk:
Next, stir in the pumpkin puree, milk, and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and mixed well.
6. Combine the Mixtures:
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients gently. Be careful not to overmix; just mix until combined.
7. Bake the Bread:
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Now, it’s time to bake! Place the loaf in the oven for about 55 to 65 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick – it should come out clean.
8. Cool the Bread:
Once done, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for around 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Make the Maple Glaze:
While the bread cools, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, and enough milk or cream to make it the right consistency for drizzling.
10. Drizzle and Enjoy:
When the pumpkin bread is completely cool, drizzle the maple glaze generously over the top. Slice it up and enjoy the moist, spiced, and delightful flavors of your homemade pumpkin bread!
This recipe will surely give you a wonderful treat perfect for fall, family gatherings, or just enjoying a cozy day at home!
Can I Use Pumpkin Pie Filling Instead of Pure Pumpkin Puree?
No, it’s best to use pure pumpkin puree for this recipe. Pumpkin pie filling is pre-sweetened and spiced, which can alter the flavor and texture of the bread.
What Can I Substitute for Unsalted Butter?
If you don’t have unsalted butter, you can use salted butter, but reduce the added salt in the recipe to 1/4 teaspoon to balance the flavors. Alternatively, coconut oil or vegetable oil works well too!
How to Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover pumpkin bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate it for up to a week, or freeze it for up to 3 months; just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap before freezing.
Can I Add Nuts or Chocolate Chips?
Absolutely! You can fold in 1/2 to 1 cup of nuts (like pecans or walnuts) or chocolate chips into the batter for added texture and flavor. Just be sure not to overmix the batter after adding extras!
