Are you ready to embrace the cozy flavors of autumn? This chocolate pumpkin bread recipe is the perfect way to do just that! Combining the comforting warmth of pumpkin spice with the rich indulgence of chocolate, this loaf is unbelievably moist, delicious, and surprisingly easy to make. It's a fantastic option for a quick weeknight dessert, a delightful contribution to a potluck, or a simply satisfying treat for a quiet evening in. This recipe is perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, delivering a consistently amazing result every time. Let's get baking!
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark chocolate)
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. This ensures your bread releases easily and prevents sticking.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, salt, and cocoa powder. Make sure there are no lumps. This thorough mixing ensures even baking and a consistent texture.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, applesauce, pumpkin puree, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing can result in a tough bread.
Step 5: Add Chocolate Chips
Stir in the chocolate chips.
Step 6: Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for the Best Chocolate Pumpkin Bread:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature eggs and applesauce helps create a smoother batter and ensures even baking.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough bread. Mix until just combined.
- Check for Doneness: Start checking for doneness around 50 minutes to avoid overbaking. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs attached.
- Storage: Store your cooled bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Variations:
- Nutty Delight: Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for added texture and flavor.
- Spiced Up: Increase the spices to 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, ¾ teaspoon of ginger, and ½ teaspoon of cloves for a more intense spice flavor.
- Cream Cheese Swirl: Spread a mixture of softened cream cheese and powdered sugar on top of the batter before baking for a delicious swirl.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 250-300 Fat: 10-12g Saturated Fat: 2-3g Sugar: 20-25g Protein: 4-5g
This delicious chocolate pumpkin bread is a perfect fall recipe, easy to make and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy!