Pumpkin Bread for Holiday Gifting 🎁🍞

The Story & Intro

Hi, I’m Inaya, from the sunny island of Crete, Greece and every holiday season, my kitchen fills with the scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and baked pumpkin. Growing up, my grandmother and I would bake loaves of pumpkin bread to gift our neighbors. Each one wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine simple, but full of love.

Now, even thousands of miles away, I still make this pumpkin bread for holiday gifting, and the tradition continues. There’s something magical about giving homemade bread it feels like sharing a piece of your heart.

This easy pumpkin bread recipe is moist, perfectly spiced, and made with love. Whether you’re preparing gifts for friends, teachers, or family, this loaf will make them smile and maybe even ask for seconds!

The best part? It’s a one-bowl recipe no mixer needed, just a whisk and a warm oven. That’s how we do it here in Crete simple, rustic, and delicious.

If you’ve been searching for the perfect pumpkin bread recipe for the holidays, this is it. The smell alone will make your home feel festive! Let’s bake something beautiful together.

Ingredients You’ll Need 🧂

To make two loaves of cozy, gift-ready pumpkin bread, gather these ingredients:

Dry Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger

Wet Ingredients

• 1 (15 oz) can pure pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
• 2 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup milk (any kind)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Optional Add-ins

• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1 cup chocolate chips or dried cranberries

Step-by-Step Instructions 👩‍🍳

Step 1: Preheat & Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and line two 9×5-inch loaf pans with parchment paper. This helps lift the bread out easily later.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. These warm spices bring that unmistakable holiday pumpkin bread aroma we all love.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Don’t overmix — this keeps your pumpkin bread moist and tender.

Step 5: Add Some Love (Optional Mix-ins!)

Now’s the time to add in those nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit if you like. I often do half and half one loaf with walnuts, one with cranberries. It feels like giving two kinds of joy!

Step 6: Bake

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
The tops should be golden brown and your kitchen filled with cozy pumpkin spice scent.

Step 7: Cool & Wrap for Gifting

Allow the loaves to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once cool, wrap each loaf in parchment or brown craft paper, tie with a festive ribbon, and add a handwritten tag.
You’ve just made a homemade holiday gift straight from the heart! 🎁

Serving Suggestions 🍽️

Serve thick slices of pumpkin bread slightly warmed with:

• A pat of butter or cream cheese spread
• A drizzle of honey or maple syrup
• A cup of Greek coffee or holiday spiced tea

It’s also lovely toasted the next morning a cozy breakfast that tastes like Christmas morning.

Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Bread 💡

• Use real pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
• Don’t overmix stir until just combined for the softest crumb.
• Wrap well before gifting; this bread stays moist for up to 5 days.
• Freeze-friendly: Wrap in foil and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before serving or gifting.
• Personalize it: Add a sprinkle of coarse sugar or pumpkin seeds on top before baking for a beautiful finish.

Recipe Card 🎃✨

⏰ Time:
Prep: 15 min | Bake: 60 min | Cool: 1 hr | Total: 1 hr 15 min

🧂 Ingredients:

• 3 ½ cups flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp cloves
• ½ tsp ginger
• 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup oil
• 2 ½ cups sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup milk
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• Optional: 1 cup nuts or cranberries

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two loaf pans.
2. Whisk dry ingredients together.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk wet ingredients until smooth.
4. Combine wet and dry mixtures gently.
5. Fold in nuts or cranberries.
6. Bake 55–65 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool completely before wrapping or slicing.

💡 Note:
Wrap loaves in parchment and ribbon for thoughtful, homemade gifts. Store at room temperature for 5 days or freeze for 3 months.

🥗 Nutrition (per slice):
Calories: 260 | Carbs: 38g | Fat: 10g | Protein: 4g | Sugar: 25g

Conclusion 🎀

This pumpkin bread for holiday gifting isn’t just a recipe it’s a warm memory in loaf form. Every slice tells a story of care, tradition, and joy. From my Cretan kitchen to yours, I hope it brings comfort to your holiday table and smiles to those you share it with.

So this year, skip the store-bought sweets and gift something truly special: a little homemade love wrapped in paper and pumpkin spice. 💛

💫 Short 100-Word Version

Hi, I’m Inaya from Crete, and every holiday season, I bake pumpkin bread for gifting just like my grandmother taught me. The smell of cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin fills the kitchen, wrapping everyone in warmth. This easy one-bowl recipe makes two soft, flavorful loaves perfect for sharing with friends and neighbors. Wrap them with love, tie a ribbon, and gift a piece of homemade happiness. Because the best presents aren’t from a store they come from your oven. 🎃💛