The Story & Intro
Hi, I’m INAYA, and if you’ve ever been to Crete during autumn, you know how the air starts to cool and the scent of roasted pumpkin fills the kitchens. When I was a little girl, my grandmother would bake simple pumpkin loaves using fresh pumpkin purée from our garden. The house smelled like cinnamon, nutmeg, and love. ❤️
Now, every fall, I bring that same warmth into my kitchen but with a twist: a Pumpkin Bread with Brown Sugar Glaze that’s soft, moist, and sweetened just right. This recipe is my cozy little hug in bread form. It’s easy enough for beginners but flavorful enough to impress anyone at your table.
There’s something magical about the rich pumpkin flavor paired with the caramel sweetness of the brown sugar glaze. The bread itself is light, yet tender, with hints of vanilla, cinnamon, and cloves dancing in every bite. The glaze? Oh, that golden drizzle turns it into dessert perfection.
Whether you’re baking it for your family on a lazy Sunday morning or gifting it to a friend, this Pumpkin Bread with Brown Sugar Glaze will bring the taste of fall right to your home. I promise, once you bake this, your kitchen will smell like happiness.
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Bread 🎃
- Moist & tender: The pumpkin purée keeps it soft for days.
- Warm fall spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for that perfect balance.
- Simple ingredients: No fancy mixers or hard-to-find items.
- Irresistible glaze: A buttery brown sugar topping that adds the wow factor.
- Perfect for any occasion: Breakfast, dessert, or gifting!
🧡 Ingredients
For the Pumpkin Bread
- 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups (340g) pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ¼ cup (60ml) milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Brown Sugar Glaze
- ¼ cup (60g) butter
- ½ cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar, sifted
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or nonstick spray, and line with parchment paper for easy removal later.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then whisk in the pumpkin purée, milk, and vanilla extract.
Step 4: Combine Everything
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir just until combined don’t overmix! The batter should be thick but smooth.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
🍯 Make the Brown Sugar Glaze
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Stir in the brown sugar and milk, and bring to a gentle boil.
- Let it simmer for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, whisking until smooth and pourable.
If it thickens too much, add a few drops of milk. Drizzle over the cooled pumpkin bread and let it set for a few minutes before slicing.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
This Pumpkin Bread with Brown Sugar Glaze tastes heavenly on its own, but here are a few serving ideas to make it extra special:
- Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream 🍦
- Toast a slice and spread a little butter for breakfast ☕
- Pair it with Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey for a balanced snack 🍯
- Add crushed pecans or walnuts to the batter for crunch 🥜
It’s also a great homemade gift! Wrap it in parchment, tie it with a rustic string, and gift it to someone you love.
💡 Tips for the Perfect Pumpkin Bread
- Use pure pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie mix they’re not the same!
- For extra moisture, you can substitute half the oil with applesauce.
- Always let the bread cool completely before adding the glaze otherwise, it’ll melt right off!
- Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for a week.
- Freezes beautifully! Wrap slices in cling film and store for up to 2 months.
🎃 Recipe Card
🍞 Pumpkin Bread with Brown Sugar Glaze
⏰ Time
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Bake: 60 minutes
- Total: 1 hour 15 minutes
🧂 Ingredients
- All-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt
- Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves
- Pumpkin purée, eggs, sugar, oil, milk, vanilla
- For glaze: butter, brown sugar, milk, powdered sugar
🍳 Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix dry ingredients in one bowl.
- Whisk wet ingredients in another.
- Combine and pour into loaf pan.
- Bake 55–65 minutes.
- Make the glaze on the stovetop and drizzle over cooled bread.
📝 Notes
- Don’t overmix the batter it keeps the bread light.
- Wait until fully cooled before glazing.
🥗 Nutrition (per slice)
Calories: 270 | Fat: 11g | Carbs: 38g | Sugar: 24g | Protein: 3g
Conclusion
There’s something so comforting about baking pumpkin bread. It’s not just about the flavors it’s about the memories that fill the kitchen. This Pumpkin Bread with Brown Sugar Glaze is a little piece of my Greek heart mixed with the warmth of fall spices. Whether you’re baking it for your family or just treating yourself, it’s sure to bring smiles and sweetness to your day.
And remember in my kitchen, there’s always room for a little mess and a lot of love. 💛
✨ Short 100-Word Story Version
Hi, I’m INAYA from Crete! Growing up, I loved watching my grandmother bake with fresh pumpkin from our garden. The smell of cinnamon and sugar filled our home, making every bite feel like love. This Pumpkin Bread with Brown Sugar Glaze is my twist on her old recipe soft, spiced, and topped with a buttery glaze that melts in your mouth. It’s perfect for fall mornings or cozy afternoons. Whether you share it or keep it all to yourself, this bread brings the warm taste of Greek hospitality and autumn comfort right to your table. 🍂
