There’s something magical about the combination of pumpkin and apple that just screams autumn. This delightful bread is a comforting treat, filled with the cozy spices of the season and the irresistible sweetness of fresh apples. You’ll find that it’s perfect with coffee in the morning or as a sweet afternoon snack. Plus, that streusel topping? Yes, please—it’s essentially a sweet hug for your taste buds.
Why you’ll love this dish
First off, let’s talk flavor. The pumpkin brings a rich, earthy sweetness, while the apples add a lovely tartness that balances it out perfectly. Then there’s the warm embrace of pumpkin pie spice uniting everything. Your kitchen will smell incredible while it bakes.
“I couldn’t believe how moist and flavorful this bread was! The streusel topping took it to another level!” – Happy Baker
If you’re looking for an impressive yet easy recipe to share at your next gathering, this is a keeper. It’s a crowd-pleaser that comes together with just a few steps, which means you can whip it up without breaking a sweat—now that’s my kind of baking!
How this recipe comes together
Let’s break it down quickly. You’ll start by mixing together your wet ingredients with the sugar until frothy. While that’s happening, your dry ingredients will combine in another bowl. Then, it’s all about folding them together and adding in the chopped apples. Top it off with a crumbly streusel and voilà—your batter is ready for the oven.
Prep Time: 15 min | Cook Time: 55 min | Total Time: 1 hr 10 min
What you’ll need
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (fresh is great, but skip the bottled stuff; fresh makes a real difference)
- 1 cup grated apples (about 2 medium apples)
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp salt
For the Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup oats
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ cup cold butter, diced
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, mix the pumpkin puree, grated apples, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until combined—don’t overmix; lumps are okay!
- To prepare the streusel, combine the flour, brown sugar, oats, and cinnamon in a bowl. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture is crumbly.
- Pour half the pumpkin-apple batter into the prepared pan, sprinkle with half of the streusel, then top with the remaining batter and streusel.
- Bake for about 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Best ways to enjoy it
This bread is great on its own, but let’s be real—sometimes, a little spread does wonders. A pat of butter or a smear of cream cheese elevates each slice even further. Pair it with your favorite chai or cappuccino for an indulgent treat. If you’re feeling festive, it might also be delicious alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Storage and reheating tips
To keep your pumpkin apple bread fresh, wrap slices in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze slices between layers of parchment paper in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Let it thaw at room temperature or pop slices into the microwave for a quick reheat. Just be careful not to overdo it, or you’ll end up with rubbery bread!
Helpful cooking tips
Here’s a little insight: grating your apples instead of dicing them makes for a more consistent texture and helps distribute the apple flavor throughout the bread. Also, measuring your flour correctly is crucial—too much can make your bread dense, so spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off. Don’t skip the streusel either; that textural contrast is what you want!
Creative twists
Want to jazz things up? Consider stirring in some toasted walnuts or pecans for crunch. You could also swap half the pumpkin puree with applesauce for a touch of moistness, or even toss in some chocolate chips if you’re feeling decadent—because who doesn’t love a little chocolate?
FAQ
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?
Absolutely! Just make sure to steam and puree it until smooth, then drain any excess moisture.
How do I know when the bread is done?
Insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, it’s done.
Can I make this without eggs?
Yes! Use 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water) as a replacement for each egg.
There you have it! An autumnal treat that checks all the boxes—delicious, easy, and oh-so-satisfying. Grab your ingredients, and let’s get baking!
Print
Pumpkin Apple Bread
- Total Time: 70 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful bread filled with pumpkin and apple, perfect for autumn, topped with a sweet streusel.
Ingredients
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 cup grated apples (about 2 medium apples)
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp salt
- For the Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup oats
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ cup cold butter, diced
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- Mix the pumpkin puree, grated apples, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla until well combined.
- Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in another bowl.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until combined—don’t overmix; lumps are okay!
- Combine the flour, brown sugar, oats, and cinnamon in a bowl for the streusel. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture is crumbly.
- Pour half the pumpkin-apple batter into the prepared pan, sprinkle with half of the streusel, then top with the remaining batter and streusel.
- Bake for about 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
For best results, grate your apples for a consistent texture. Consider adding nuts or chocolate chips for a twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: pumpkin bread, apple bread, autumn recipes, sweet bread, loaf cake