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Brown Butter Pumpkin Bread

Brown Butter Pumpkin Bread

This Brown Butter Pumpkin Bread is moist, spiced, and bursting with cozy fall flavor. The browned butter adds a deep, nutty aroma that takes this classic pumpkin bread to a new level of deliciousness — perfect for breakfast, gifting, or dessert.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Quick Breads, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 285
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pumpkin Bread:
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree not pie filling
  • 1 cup brown sugar packed
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
  • ¼ tsp ground ginger
Optional Add-ins:
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • ½ cup chocolate chips

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper.
  2. Brown the butter: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Continue cooking, stirring often, until it turns golden brown and smells nutty. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla, and cooled brown butter until smooth.
  4. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
  5. Combine mixtures: Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  6. Add mix-ins: Fold in nuts or chocolate chips if using.
  7. Bake: Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50–60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool and serve: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

  • Don’t skip browning the butter — it adds an incredible depth of flavor.
  • For extra moistness, wrap and let rest overnight before serving.
  • Add-ins: Try chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or a maple glaze for variation.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or 1 week in the fridge.
  • Freeze: Wrap slices individually in plastic wrap and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight for best results.
  • Pairs perfectly with coffee, chai, or hot cocoa on a crisp fall morning.