The Story & Intro
Hi, I’m Inaya, 38, from the sun-soaked island of Crete, Greece. While Thanksgiving isn’t a traditional Greek holiday, I’ve always loved the warmth and gratitude it represents gathering around the table, sharing stories, and celebrating with food made from the heart.
A few years ago, I visited a friend in the U.S. during Thanksgiving, and that’s when I discovered pumpkin bread for the first time. The aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg filled the air, and the moment I took my first bite soft, moist, and perfectly spiced I knew I had to make it my own.
Back home, I started experimenting in my kitchen, tweaking the recipe with a touch of Greek love and simplicity. The final result? Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bread with Maple Frosting a melt-in-your-mouth loaf that’s perfectly balanced between sweet and spicy, with a creamy, maple-kissed frosting that adds just the right touch of indulgence.
It’s become one of my favorite seasonal recipes, and I love baking it not just for Thanksgiving, but all through fall. Whether you’re sharing it with family or enjoying it with a cup of coffee on a chilly morning, this pumpkin bread makes the season feel even more special.
Ingredients
For the Pumpkin Bread 🍞
- 1 ¾ cups 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
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
- ¼ cup milk (or almond milk)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Maple Frosting 🍁
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper. This helps the pumpkin bread come out clean and keeps it beautifully moist.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. These spices are what make the pumpkin bread taste like a cozy fall hug!
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla. The mixture should be smooth and slightly thick this is where all that pumpkin goodness starts to shine.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir just until combined — don’t overmix, or your bread might become dense. The batter should be silky, fragrant, and full of spice.
Step 5: Bake the Bread
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool completely before frosting (patience is key!).
Step 6: Make the Maple Frosting
While the bread cools, beat together cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Mix until smooth and fluffy.
Step 7: Frost and Decorate
Spread the maple frosting generously over the cooled pumpkin bread. For an extra festive touch, sprinkle crushed pecans or a drizzle of maple syrup on top.
Serving Ideas
Serve this Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bread with Maple Frosting for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. It pairs beautifully with a warm cup of coffee, tea, or even hot apple cider.
You can also serve it as part of your Thanksgiving dessert table alongside pumpkin pie and apple crisp. For a cozy family moment, enjoy it slightly warmed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream pure comfort!
If you’re hosting guests, slice the loaf into thick pieces, wrap them in parchment paper, and tie with twine for a charming homemade gift.
Tips & Notes 💡
- Use pure pumpkin puree: Not the pie filling it contains added sugar and spices.
- Don’t overmix: This keeps your bread soft and tender.
- Room temperature ingredients: Help everything blend smoothly.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the loaf (without frosting) for up to 3 months.
Recipe Card 🥧
🕒 Time Clock:
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 55 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
🥣 Ingredients:
- 1 ¾ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp cloves
- ½ tsp ginger
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup white sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup oil
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Frosting: cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, salt
👩🍳 Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease loaf pan.
- Mix dry ingredients in one bowl.
- Mix wet ingredients in another bowl.
- Combine both mixtures gently.
- Pour into pan and bake 50–60 mins.
- Cool completely.
- Beat frosting ingredients and spread over cooled loaf.
📝 Notes:
- Don’t overmix the batter.
- Top with nuts or drizzle maple syrup for extra flavor.
💪 Nutrition (per slice):
Calories: 260 | Carbs: 35g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Sugar: 22g
Conclusion
There’s something magical about baking during the holidays the scent of cinnamon in the air, the golden loaf rising in the oven, and the first sweet slice shared with loved ones. This Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bread with Maple Frosting is everything a holiday treat should be: moist, flavorful, and made with love.
From my kitchen in Crete to yours, I hope this recipe fills your home with joy and your table with warmth. ❤️
Short 100-Word Story Version
Hi, I’m Inaya from Crete! This Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bread with Maple Frosting was inspired by my first Thanksgiving in the U.S., where I fell in love with the cozy flavors of pumpkin and spice. Back home, I recreated it with my own Greek touch simple, moist, and heartwarming. Topped with creamy maple frosting, it’s the perfect way to celebrate fall and share gratitude. Whether for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet gift, this pumpkin bread brings warmth to every bite. Let’s bake it together and fill your kitchen with the aroma of love and autumn. 🍁
