If you love the flavors of autumn and crave a cozy, crowd-pleasing treat, this Pumpkin Bread with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping will absolutely charm your taste buds. The bread is tender and moist, brimming with warm spices and real pumpkin, while that sugary, nutty pecan layer offers a delightful crunch in every bite. This recipe delivers the perfect balance of sweet and spice, crowned with a little bakery-style flair right from your own kitchen. Whether you serve it with coffee for breakfast, bring it to a gathering, or slice off a warm piece as an afternoon snack, Pumpkin Bread with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping is sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire.

Pumpkin Bread with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

There’s nothing fancy hiding here—just a collection of well-chosen pantry staples and fresh ingredients that each play an important role in creating the perfect loaf. Together, they build the bread’s soft crumb, rich pumpkin flavor, and that irresistible pecan topping.

All-purpose flour: The foundation of your loaf, giving structure while keeping the texture soft and tender.
Baking soda & baking powder: These leaveners team up to ensure your pumpkin bread rises beautifully with a gentle dome.
Salt: Just a touch sharpens up all the other flavors and stops the bread from tasting flat.
Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger: This autumn spice quartet packs in warmth and depth—absolutely essential for classic pumpkin bread.
Vegetable oil: Keeps everything moist and deliciously tender, even days later.
Granulated sugar & brown sugar: The blend of sugars provides balanced sweetness and a hint of caramel richness.
Eggs: Act as binders, giving the loaf stability and a beautiful crumb.
Pumpkin purée: The star ingredient! Be sure to use pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, for that deep, earthy flavor and unbeatable moistness.
Milk: Helps to loosen the batter and contributes to a soft crumb.
Vanilla extract: Enhances and rounds out those spiced pumpkin notes.
Chopped pecans: For the topping, they add a lovely crunch and nutty flair on top.
More brown sugar: Sweetens the topping with a brown sugary sparkle.
Flour (for topping): Helps bind the topping so you get those crisp, crumbly bits.
Melted butter: Brings richness and encourages the topping to bake into glorious golden clumps.
Extra cinnamon (for topping): Because you can never have enough autumn spice!

How to Make Pumpkin Bread with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready just when you are. Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal. Giving the pan that extra care ensures your Pumpkin Bread with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping will lift out effortlessly and keep its gorgeous shape.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Taking a minute to really combine these helps those lovely spices distribute evenly in the batter, so every bite is packed with autumn flavor.

Step 3: Whisk Wet Ingredients and Sugars

In a large bowl, combine the oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Whisk until the mixture looks smooth and glossy, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Next, fold in the pumpkin purée, milk, and vanilla extract. The blend of oil and pumpkin is the secret behind the super-moist, rich texture of this loaf!

Step 4: Combine Batter and Finish Mixing

Pour the dry mixture into the wet, then stir gently until just combined. Don’t overmix the batter—stirring only until no dry pockets remain will keep the bread soft and prevent it from becoming dense. Pour this luscious pumpkin batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.

Step 5: Make and Add the Crunchy Topping

For that signature touch, stir together the chopped pecans, brown sugar, flour, melted butter, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle this mixture generously over the batter. As it bakes, the topping transforms into a crunchy, caramelized crown that makes this Pumpkin Bread with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping completely irresistible.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake in the center of your oven for 55 to 65 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (a few moist crumbs are fine). Toward the end, if the topping seems to darken too quickly, simply tent the loaf loosely with foil. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then move it to a wire rack to finish cooling completely—this helps the texture set and keeps the topping perfectly crisp.

How to Serve Pumpkin Bread with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping

Garnishes

A light dusting of powdered sugar right before serving gives your loaf a bakery-style finish. If you want extra flair, a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of maple glaze is dreamy. Scattering a few extra toasted pecans across the top just before slicing gives added crunch and beautiful presentation.

Side Dishes

Pumpkin Bread with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping pairs beautifully with your morning coffee or creamy chai latte, making it a star at brunch. For a cozy weekend breakfast, serve with Greek yogurt and fresh fruit on the side. You can also make it the centerpiece of a dessert platter with spiced apples or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Creative Ways to Present

For a cute twist, slice the loaf thickly and turn pieces into rustic breakfast sandwiches—just add a swipe of cream cheese or apple butter. Bake the recipe as muffins for grab-and-go treats, or gift mini loaves wrapped in parchment and tied with twine. However you serve it, Pumpkin Bread with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping always brings a smile!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap your cooled bread tightly in plastic or foil, or place in a sealed container. It keeps wonderfully at room temperature for up to 3 days. For even longer freshness, refrigerate, though be ready for the bread to disappear quickly—it’s tough to resist those spiced slices!

Freezing

This bread freezes up like a champ. Slice it up, wrap each piece individually, and store them all in a freezer-safe bag. Now you have single-serving treats ready when a pumpkin craving strikes. Thaw overnight in the fridge or pop a slice directly in the microwave for a quick fix.

Reheating

A simple 10–15 seconds in the microwave brings out the bread’s incredible texture, making it taste just-baked again. For an extra-special treat, warm slices in the toaster oven for a few minutes to re-crisp that brown sugar pecan topping, then slather with butter if you’re feeling indulgent.

FAQs

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned purée?

Absolutely! Roast and mash your own pumpkin if you like. Just be sure to drain it well so it’s not watery—thicker purée gives the best results for your Pumpkin Bread with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

You can swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free blend; look for one designed for baking that contains xanthan gum. Keep an eye on texture, as different blends can vary—this will help your Pumpkin Bread with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping maintain its tender crumb.

What other nuts can I use for the topping?

Walnuts are a great alternative if you don’t have pecans, or try a mix of both for extra flavor depth. For a nut-free option, substitute with pumpkin seeds (pepitas) for a fun twist!

How can I tell when the bread is done baking?

Insert a wooden toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out mostly clean with just a few crumbs (no wet batter), it’s ready. If you notice the topping browning too fast but the loaf isn’t done, tent it loosely with foil so it finishes cooking perfectly.

Can I add mix-ins like chocolate chips or dried fruit?

Definitely! Mini chocolate chips or chopped dried cranberries can be folded into the batter for added bursts of flavor and texture. Just keep add-ins to about 1/2 cup total so the bread bakes evenly and stays moist.

Final Thoughts

There’s something magic about the aroma of Pumpkin Bread with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping wafting through the kitchen—it’s truly comfort in loaf form. I hope you give this recipe a try, share it with loved ones, and make it a seasonal staple. One slice and you’ll understand why this tender, spiced bread with its sweet crunchy topping wins hearts every single time!

Pumpkin Bread with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 10 slices 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the cozy flavors of fall with this delicious Pumpkin Bread topped with a crunchy Brown Sugar Pecan topping. Perfect for breakfast or as a sweet treat with your afternoon coffee!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Bread:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
2 large eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin purée
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Topping:

1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon melted butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a loaf pan.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in pumpkin purée, milk, and vanilla extract.
Combine Batter: Gradually stir in dry ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
Add Topping: Pour batter into pan and sprinkle pecan topping evenly over the top.
Bake: Bake for 55–65 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool before slicing.

Notes

This bread tastes even better the next day. Store wrapped at room temperature or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Individual slices can be frozen for quick snacks.
For a twist, try adding mini chocolate chips to the batter.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Dessert, Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American