Autumn's vibrant hues and crisp air bring a craving for cozy comfort food, and nothing satisfies that yearning quite like a slice of warm, spiced pumpkin bread. This frosted pumpkin bread recipe is the perfect blend of easy homemade cooking and delicious fall flavors. It's a delightful quick dinner addition or a perfect treat to share with friends and family. Get ready to be amazed by how simple it is to create this incredibly flavorful and moist pumpkin bread, guaranteed to become a new favorite in your recipe collection.
Ingredients:
For the Pumpkin Bread:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Making the Pumpkin Bread:
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. This simple step ensures your bread releases easily.
- Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. This ensures even distribution of spices for optimal flavor.
- Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, oil, eggs, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- Combine: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don't overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing can lead to a tough bread.
- 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.
- Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the bread from becoming soggy.
Making the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Beat: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Sugar & Vanilla: Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until light and fluffy. Add the sugar gradually to avoid a powdery frosting.
- Frost: Once the bread is completely cool, frost the top generously with the cream cheese frosting.
Tips for the Best Pumpkin Bread:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature eggs and oil helps create a smoother batter.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough bread. Mix until just combined.
- Check for Doneness: Use a wooden skewer or toothpick to check if the bread is baked through. If it comes out clean, it's ready.
- Cool Completely: Allow the bread to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
Variations:
- Spiced it up: Add ½ teaspoon of ground ginger or allspice for an extra warm flavor.
- Nutty Delight: Incorporate ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter for added texture and flavor.
- Chocolate Swirl: Mix ½ cup of chocolate chips into the batter before baking for a delicious twist.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 300-350
- Fat: Approximately 15-20g
- Protein: Approximately 4-5g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 40-45g
This frosted pumpkin bread recipe is a simple yet delicious way to enjoy the flavors of fall. It’s a great recipe for both beginner bakers and experienced cooks looking for an easy, healthy, and satisfying treat. Enjoy!