Pumpkin Bread with Orange Zest Icing 🍊🎃

The Story & Intro

Hi, I’m Inaya, 38, from the sunny island of Crete, Greece. Autumn has always held a special place in my heart the smell of roasted pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg filling my grandmother’s kitchen was pure magic. She used to say, “Every loaf of bread carries a memory, every spice a story.”

When I first made pumpkin bread with orange zest icing, it was a cool October afternoon. The sound of rain on my window reminded me of my grandmother’s voice, humming while baking. I wanted something comforting yet bright that’s when I thought, “Why not add a touch of citrus?” The orange zest brings out the pumpkin’s sweetness, giving it that fresh sparkle that wakes up your senses.

This pumpkin bread with orange zest icing is moist, perfectly spiced, and smells like home. The icing drips like sunshine over a loaf of soft pumpkin heaven every bite is a hug, a memory, and a celebration of warmth.

Whether you’re baking for a cozy weekend brunch, gifting a loaf to a friend, or simply enjoying it with your morning coffee, this pumpkin bread with orange zest icing will make your kitchen smell like happiness.

So, tie your apron, grab your whisk, and let’s make something that brings people together just like my grandmother always did. 💛

Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Bread:

• 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240ml) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil (or melted butter for richer flavor)
• ¼ cup (60ml) milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Orange Zest Icing:

• 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
• 1–2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon milk (optional, for consistency)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare your oven and pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Mix dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. This blend is what gives your pumpkin bread that irresistible autumn aroma.

Step 3: Combine wet ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and slightly fluffy. Add in the pumpkin puree, oil, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is well combined.

Step 4: Mix wet and dry ingredients
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently fold together using a spatula don’t overmix! The batter should be thick and smooth with a beautiful orange hue.

Step 5: Bake to perfection
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell incredible warm pumpkin and spices filling every corner.

Step 6: Cool completely
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Allow it to cool completely before adding the icing (trust me, patience pays off here).

Step 7: Make the orange zest icing
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, and zest until smooth. Adjust consistency with a bit more juice or milk if needed it should be pourable but thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Step 8: Drizzle and enjoy
Pour the icing generously over the cooled pumpkin bread. Let it set for about 10–15 minutes before slicing. The glaze adds a fresh, tangy contrast to the warm spiced loaf pure bliss in every bite.

Serving Suggestions

Slice your pumpkin bread with orange zest icing thickly and enjoy it:

• With a cup of Greek coffee or chai latte ☕
• Topped with a pat of butter for extra indulgence
• Slightly toasted and drizzled with honey 🍯
• As a thoughtful homemade gift, wrapped in parchment and tied with twine 🎁

This loaf stays moist for up to 4 days at room temperature (wrapped tightly) or up to 1 week in the fridge. It also freezes beautifully — just slice and wrap individually!

Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Bread

• Use real pumpkin puree not pie filling.
• Don’t overmix your batter; it keeps the bread soft.
• Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips for variety.
• A dash of orange extract intensifies the citrus flavor.
• Make it vegan by substituting flax eggs and almond milk.

🍞 Recipe Card

⏱️ Time
Prep: 15 minutes
Bake: 60 minutes
Cool: 15 minutes
Total: 1 hour 30 minutes

🧂 Ingredients
All-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, pumpkin puree, eggs, sugar, oil, milk, vanilla, orange zest, powdered sugar, orange juice.

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease loaf pan.
2. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl.
3. Whisk wet ingredients in another bowl.
4. Combine wet and dry mixtures.
5. Pour batter into loaf pan and bake 55–65 min.
6. Cool completely.
7. Whisk icing ingredients and drizzle over loaf.

📝 Notes
Use fresh orange zest for best flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container. Add nuts, cranberries, or white chocolate for a twist.

🧘 Nutrition (Per Slice)
Calories: ~260 | Fat: 10g | Carbs: 38g | Sugar: 22g | Protein: 3g

Conclusion

Baking pumpkin bread with orange zest icing isn’t just about making something delicious it’s about bringing a bit of sunshine to a cozy autumn day. The warmth of the pumpkin, the sparkle of citrus, and the sweet glaze combine into a loaf that feels like comfort in every bite.

From my kitchen in Crete to yours, may this bread fill your home with joy, your table with laughter, and your heart with memories. 🍂💛

Short 100-Word Version

Hi, I’m Inaya from Crete! This pumpkin bread with orange zest icing combines cozy fall flavors with a bright citrus twist. It’s soft, spiced, and perfectly sweet, topped with a zesty glaze that melts into every slice. I first baked it one rainy afternoon, inspired by my grandmother’s love for warm, comforting breads. The orange icing adds sunshine to every bite delicious with coffee or tea. Whether you’re baking for friends or family, this pumpkin bread brings warmth, flavor, and a touch of Greek hospitality to your table. 🍊🎃