This Best-Ever Pumpkin Bread is incredible! Moist, soft and fluffy with a tender crumb and bursting with pumpkin spice flavor! So easy, so wonderful!
So yesterday was pretty much like any other day.
I work all day long: baking, photographing stuff, editing, cleaning, and no less than 18 loads of dishes. And a peeking into the living room to see what the big deal is on Let’s Make A Deal. If you didn’t know I was 25, would you guess I was 80? I would.
Yesterday’s highlights were that I found an almond in my bra at the end of the day, and that I also got a cake pan in the mail. Ironically, yesterday’s lowlights were that I found an almond in my bra and that I also got a cake pan in the mail.
My life is exceptionally more boring than yours, no contest.
So much so, that I don’t even really have real-life friends. I have my blog friends of course, but friends I text my dating woes to? Friends I share good news with? Friends I bitch about bad days with? A friend to tell my exciting cake pan news, or ruminate over how I found an almond in my undergarments? I have no one really, and it’s painfully lonely sometimes.
No one tells you when you’re older that it’s so hard to cultivate relationships, especially when you work from home. Whenever I try to reach out to my >2 friends from high school, they never respond to my texts. In fact, neither of them even bothered to show up to my book signing or my little book party I slaved over a couple weekends ago. It makes me realize we’ve simply drifted apart of natural causes, so to speak. In other words, there was no one-event that caused our friendship to fissure; we just faded away, have nothing more in common, and if they couldn’t even bother to shoot me a text saying they couldn’t make it (and I know they could have – I saw the selfies posted from that day), then maybe I don’t need them in my life any longer.
Sorry I’m waxing philosophical, but I felt like I needed to get this off my chest… much like that lone almond. Maybe you are a young professional who doesn’t have many friends, either. Or maybe you’re feeling the same way I am: that a new season is approaching, and another season is passing that you haven’t spoken to some “friends” in awhile who haven’t texted you back. I’m here to let ya know that I’m here for you, and I understand.
And to also let you know that in this day of social-media craziness, that it’s perfectly okay to unfollow. Relieve yourself of the burden of a dead friendship. Cut the ties that bound you two together by fond memories of the past, but nothing from the present. Feel free! And find yo’self some new buddies to eat almonds with!
I know this had nothing to do with Pumpkin Bread, but that’s okay. Pumpkin Bread is my only friend right now, so I’m taking what I can get.
This Pumpkin Bread is my favorite pumpkin bread recipe, hands-down. I posted a Chocolate Chip version last year, and the original Brown-Butter Maple Glazed bread a couple years ago, but sometimes you just want a plain ol’ slice of pumpkin bread with no frills. I hear you. That is this bread!
Make it. And then call your friend and see if they want to share with you!
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 & ½ cups all-purpose flour
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Liberally grease an 8-or-9" loaf pan with cooking spray and place the loaf pan on a baking sheet in case of any spill-over.
- In a large bowl, beat together the butter and brown sugar until creamy, about 1 minute. Beat in the eggs and pumpkin and beat to combine. Add in the spices, baking powder, baking soda and flour and mix to combine, careful not to overmix. Mixture may be slightly lumpy; this is okay! Overmixing will lead to tough bread.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth out the top. Bake for approx. 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with moist, not wet, crumbs. Cool for at least 20 minutes before inverting on a wire rack to cool completely, or let cool completely in the pan. Cut into slices!
Moist, fluffy, tender and packed with amazing pumpkin spice flavor, this bread is a total keeper!
Have a wonderful day!
xo, Hayley
Funny you should post this today. I reset my phone yesterday and lost all my contacts (long story). A first I freaked out, but then I took it as a sign from the Universe. It’s my sign that I need to start fresh and make new friends and stop reaching out to old friends. They can get at me if and when they want. Anyway, just wanted to say you’re not alone. You’re young and you have a big, bright future ahead of you xo
Karen, that definitely sounds like a sign from the Universe! I appreciate your sweet words and hope you find some quality friends of your own soon too!
Your friends are envious of your success. Don’t take it personal, because it isn’t personal (although I know that’s easier said than done). It’s their own insecurity
Good point!
You are definitely not alone! I’ll be your second almond! You have no idea how many people you reach everyday, Hayley. Thank you for posting your sentiments, though, and showing that even though you do let us into your world, it still can be lonely in the social sphere of the web. I envy you though; you are so young! I am 10 years older than you, I have no contact with any of my former classmates, and definitely feel the pain of loneliness. It hurts and it is very real–physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I know you will find the community that you fit into, just like another pea in the pod. You are too sweet of a person not to. Don’t isolate yourself. It can be a living hell.
~Amanda
Amanda, thank you for your kind words! I appreciate them, and I feel for you, too. It’s so hard to make friends when you’re older (and I say that even as a 25-year old) and especially when you’re isolated as a self-employed person. I hope you find some connections with your classmates soon, or someone else you can build a friendship with. Best! xoxo!
I want to slather this up with butter and just snuggle under a blanket with my cat. Who cares if I get a crumb or two on the sofa?
I don’t have a lot of friends I see in person, but that’s because I moved a year ago and was swamped with life things, so I didn’t have time to make friends. And then I was sinking into depression, so I didn’t *want* to make friends, either.
But, in places I have lived before, I’ve had good luck with Meetup. It’s like eharmony, but for friends. And you usually meet in a group, so there’s no awkward one-on-one type of thing. It’s fun!
Hi Annie! I feel you – I was depressed for a long time and it was hard – and still is hard – to see through the fog of not wanting to leave the house and get out and meet people. I’ve tried Meetup, but unfortunately there are no groups for younger professionals and a lot of the groups have age restrictions, like 40+. I’ll keep trying! xoxo!
I’ve been following your blog for quite some time and have always been shy to post a comment. I just want to spread the love and let you know how incredibly fabulous and hilarious you are! Your recipes AND your style of writing are truly make my day. I’m over the moon happy for you that your recipes are now in a book (available in a beautiful hardcopy!) and that you have another one on the way! Seriously, you deserve all the amazing-ness that has and will come your way. 🙂
And to comment on your post today — you are not alone. 🙂 Totally understand how you feel and have been there before; feeling like you’re alone, “where are all my IRL friends?!”. Don’t you worry — things will work out as how they should AND you’re bound to find and come across people that fit in your life and bring you nothing but laughs and positivity. 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind words, Arlys!
Arlys, you are so sweet. Thank you! I appreciate your comment more than you know!
Gorgeous photos! And the pumpkin bread looks delicious. I love pumpkin bread, especially when it’s nice and moist. I love the color, mine usually gets a dark brown. Have to try yours out. And I second what the others say, lots of people are there for you even if you cant see them face to face!
Thanks a bunch, Jamie!
Hayley,I SOOO hear you!!Am a 55 year old SAHM.Say loosely,as only my 18 year old is left.Although I still make her bed…WT FRANK?!Am a total and unequivocal,social butterfly,with nad,zilch,zero friends.As well as,I realized that my “best friend from high school”;is a total fake,dickhead that thrived on making the skinny “b”feel like “sh..”every Christmas,with her brag fest on her perfect kids,husband,job…EVEN when I was literally bedridden(3+years)with sickness!Never help or comfort.WHEW!I think you are awesome!Would have given away what is left of my bowels(another story);to be at your book signing.Will be YOUR friend,if you will be mine!Won’t ya be my neighbor!What?!Sidetracked.Have ADHD!!So you are not alone.You are published?Have a fantastic blog!(Jealousand jealous).Come to Arizona and hang by the pool.😂Thanks for letting me rant!!Feel like baking now!!
Teri, you are so sweet! Thank you for your kind words. I am so sorry your HS friend was such a fake. I hate that!
You may have met me thru our blogs but I would like to think we are friends outside of the blogging world. Friendships are hard and as we get older only certain ones stick, people change, lives change and often its no ones faulty but its kind of nice when you can just accept it and move on from “what used to be”. You are a gorgeous human being and if some eff tards didn’t go to your book party it’s their effing loss! If only there wasn’t a whopping 9 hours between us I would have been there. And I’d gladly come over for this pumpkin bread too!
I love you! <3 <3
I can’t wait to try this recipe – just found your blog via Pinterest. I completely feel you on the friend portion of your post – I work from home, and friends are hard to find in my world of acquaintances. It gets lonely for sure, especially living in a small town where you’ve pretty much met everyone already. Just wanted to thank you for the recipe, and for your post. Makes me feel a llittle more connected. 😊
Sarah, thank you so much for your sweet comment. I’m glad I’m not the only one, but I also wish you the best in finding some like-minded friends of your own, too! It’s so hard as an adult to make friends!
I just found your recipe on pinterest and it looks amazing! it’s the perfect timing, too, as it just got colder and Autumn is finally in the air. I have 2 questions: can I use fresh ginger and how do you make the pumpkin puree? I can’t find it canned where I live but I happen to have a small pumpkin sitting on my counter. Can I just roast it and puree it? Thanks!
Hi Luisa! Yes, you can roast your pumpkin and puree it – I don’t have a recipe for that as I’ve never done it before personally, but I know you can do it. And yes, you can use fresh ginger but the ginger flavor will be much more pronounced!
Thanks for getting back to me, I will make sure to add less ginger!
This recipe is fantastic!! I made it twice in one weekend and everyone loved it. It’s not too sweet like a cake, and is a great texture, plus it tastes AMAZING. I love all the spices. A perfect fall loaf, and super easy to make. It’s great with a big mug of hot cocoa too! Thank you for sharing the recipe!!
Thanks for your feedback, Brianna!
Although this was good average pumpkin bread, I was not wowed by it. I would use 2c of pumpkin and cut back a bit on the spices.
Leeds, you’re welcome to use less spices!
Hello, I’m baking the pumpkin bread recipe right now, with the glaze, it smells so good! Love to get more of your recipies,
Can I substitute coconut oil for the butter? We have a dairy allergy in the house.
I have not tried that, but I am sure it’ll work!
I made this today . Turned out great. Thanks for posting. It’ll be staying in my yummy, make again collection. 🙂
Kim, so glad you enjoyed!
I just tried this recipe , the texture is amazing but it’s not sweet enough for my taste. I thinking I’m going to make some frosting to put on top. Just one persons opinion.
Camie, you definitely could frost this!
Has anyone ever tried this recipe in a muffin pan? I tried this recipe in my glass loaf pan and it was burnt on the outside and undercooked inside…. So I thought it might work as muffins, at least for me.
I have to say this was absolutely delicious! I made this recipe as well as a different one from another site that had hundreds of 4+ star reviews. The other one is disgusting. This one was so good! I found it had a very subtle spice taste. It was not overpowering at all and I like things really plain. Seriously delicious. Just came out of the oven and I couldn’t wait to eat it!
Thanks so much for your awesome review, Jen! So happy to hear you enjoyed it. The spice can be altered for your taste, so in the future if you make it for someone who enjoys robust spices, it can be tinkered with! 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!
Can I use the pumpkin pie spice in place of the individual spices? If so how much? Super excited to try this recipe 🙂
Absolutely! Start with 1 tsp and increase from there if you want it more spicy!
Hey!!! What I honestly think you should do is just make more friends!! I know it sounds easier than it is but take a brake from blogging, and go to a cooking class, join a book club, or pick up a sport like tennis. Feeling bad for yourself doesn’t get you any where!! I bet you are a really nice and fun person, you just need to try and meet new people! They were your high school friends, are they rlly going to stick around?? Probably not for any one. Go meet new people and have fun, take a break and go do something! Your blog is awesome and I am trying your pumpkin bread but I think you need to branch out. Good luck!!
I did not think this was the best pumpkin bread. (Or even close) I doubled the recipe so I could taste one and give one but when I tasted it, I didn’t want to gift it. I have the out of the box Desserts book and I love it. Just not this recipe.
Darlene, I am so sorry you didn’t enjoy the bread!