Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Bread is the ultimate fall baking delight. It takes everything you love about classic pumpkin bread—moist texture, warm spices, and bold pumpkin flavor—and adds a crackly, cinnamon-sugar topping that makes every bite irresistible.
Perfect for breakfast, snacks, holiday brunches, or gifting, this loaf is incredibly easy to make and guaranteed to fill your kitchen with that signature cozy autumn aroma. One bowl, simple pantry ingredients, and under 10 minutes of prep make this a go-to pumpkin recipe you’ll want to bake all season long.
Ingredients:
For the Pumpkin Bread:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ cups canned pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Preparation:
Step 1: Preheat Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Set aside.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Add the pumpkin purée, oil, milk, and vanilla. Stir until fully combined.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir just until combined—do not overmix to keep the loaf tender.
Step 5: Add the Topping
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. In a small bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon for the topping, then sprinkle evenly over the batter.
Step 6: Bake
- Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The top should be golden and slightly crackled.
Step 7: Cool
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Variation:
- Add-ins: Stir in chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or walnuts before baking.
- Mini Loaves: Divide the batter into two mini loaf pans; reduce bake time to ~35–40 minutes.
- Muffins: Scoop into muffin tins and bake for 18–22 minutes for cinnamon sugar pumpkin muffins.
- Dairy-Free: Use plant-based milk such as almond or oat milk.
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
COOKING Note:
Don’t skip the cinnamon sugar topping—it creates a slightly crunchy, sweet crust that contrasts beautifully with the moist, soft interior of the pumpkin bread. It’s what makes this recipe stand out!
Serving Suggestions:
- Warm with butter or cream cheese
- Sliced with tea or coffee
- With yogurt and fruit for breakfast
- Drizzled with maple glaze for dessert
- Gift-wrapped for holiday baskets
Tips:
- Make sure pumpkin purée is not pumpkin pie mix.
- Use room temperature eggs for better mixing.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the bread tender.
- Let the bread cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.
- Store tightly wrapped at room temp for up to 4 days or freeze slices individually.
⏱️ Time Overview:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Bake Time: 60 minutes
- Cool Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: ~1 hour 10 minutes active / 2+ hours with cooling
🍽️ Nutritional Information (per slice, 10 slices):
- Calories: ~260
- Protein: ~3g
- Carbohydrates: ~35g
- Fat: ~11g
- Sugar: ~19g
- Fiber: ~2g
- Sodium: ~210mg
May vary based on optional add-ins.
❓FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
- Yes! The flavor improves after resting. Make it a day ahead and store tightly covered.
Can I freeze cinnamon sugar pumpkin bread?
- Absolutely. Wrap slices individually in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.
Why did my pumpkin bread sink?
- Most likely underbaking or overmixing. Be sure to test the center and avoid excess stirring.
Can I make this with fresh pumpkin?
- Yes! Use homemade pumpkin purée, but drain excess moisture before adding to the batter.
Can I reduce the sugar?
- Yes, though the cinnamon sugar topping may not crackle the same. Try reducing by ¼ cup total.
Conclusion:
This Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Bread is the ultimate way to welcome fall (or enjoy it year-round!). With its soft, spiced interior and a golden sugar topping, every bite is a balance of sweet and cozy.
Easy to make in one bowl and completely customizable with mix-ins or toppings, this loaf will quickly become your go-to for seasonal baking. Whether you serve it with coffee, wrap it up as a gift, or sneak a slice at midnight—it’s simply irresistible.