Are you ready to embrace the cozy flavors of autumn? Then look no further than this incredibly moist and flavorful Libby's Pumpkin Bread recipe! This easy recipe is perfect for beginner bakers and seasoned pros alike, delivering a delicious homemade treat without hours spent in the kitchen. It's the ultimate comfort food, ideal for a chilly evening, a weekend brunch, or even a quick and satisfying breakfast. Get ready to fill your home with the warm, inviting aroma of pumpkin spice!
Ingredients:
- 1 (15 ounce) can Libby's pumpkin puree
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions:
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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 and prevents sticking.
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Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined. Make sure there are no lumps of sugar remaining.
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Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. This helps evenly distribute the leavening agents for a lighter texture.
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Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing can lead to a tough bread.
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Add Mix-ins (Optional): Stir in your choice of nuts and/or chocolate chips. This is where you can personalize your bread to your liking!
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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. Keep an eye on it after 50 minutes, as ovens can vary.
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Cool & Enjoy: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents it from becoming soggy. Once cooled, slice and savor every bite of this delicious homemade pumpkin bread!
Tips for the Best Pumpkin Bread:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature eggs and pumpkin puree 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: Use a wooden skewer or toothpick to check for doneness. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs, it's perfectly baked.
- Storage: Store leftover pumpkin bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Variations:
- Spiced Pumpkin Bread: Add a teaspoon of ginger or allspice for an extra kick of warmth.
- Cream Cheese Swirl: Create a cream cheese swirl by mixing 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and swirling it into the batter before baking.
- Streusel Topping: Sprinkle a streusel topping (made with flour, brown sugar, oats, and butter) over the batter before baking for added texture and flavor.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
- Calories: Around 250-300
- Fat: 10-12g
- Carbohydrates: 35-40g
- Protein: 4-5g
Note: Nutritional information can vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
This Libby's pumpkin bread recipe is a simple yet satisfying way to enjoy the flavors of autumn. It’s a perfect recipe for easy recipes, healthy meals, quick dinner ideas, homemade cooking, and delicious dishes. Try it today and experience the warmth and deliciousness of homemade pumpkin bread!