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This soft pumpkin loaf glazed with rich butterscotch is just right for chilly fall days. The tender inside is packed with cozy spice flavors while the sweet butterscotch topping feels like a warm cuddle. It fills your home with autumn scents and makes you want another slice soon.
This bread quickly became a go-to for slow weekend mornings and casual coffee breaks. The way the sweet and spice flavors mix is something I crave every time I bake it.
Needed Ingredients
- flour: 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour provides structure and just the right weight. Freshly milled flour gives you a better rise
- soda baking: 1 teaspoon helps the loaf lift gently and stay airy
- baking powder: 1/2 teaspoon adds a little extra fluff for a soft bite
- salt: 1/2 teaspoon to bring out all the flavors and keep sweetness balanced
- cinnamon ground: 1 teaspoon for warm, everyday spice
- nutmeg ground: 1/2 teaspoon gives a cozy touch and a hint of nuttiness
- cloves ground: 1/4 teaspoon adds a fragrant kick
- ginger ground: 1/4 teaspoon brings a gentle spice warmth and zing
- pumpkin puree canned: 1 cup adds moisture and earthy pumpkin notes. Use just plain pumpkin, not pie filling
- vegetable oil: 1/2 cup keeps the crumb soft and moist
- brown sugar packed: 1 cup fuels the sweetness with caramel tones
- eggs large: 2 bind everything while adding richness
- vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon gives mellow aroma and flavor lift
- butterscotch chips: 1/2 cup make a smooth, buttery glaze shine
- heavy cream: 2 tablespoons help melt butterscotch nicely
- vanilla extract: 1/4 teaspoon enhances glaze flavor
Step-By-Step Guide
- Start With Dry Ingredients:
- Mix flour, baking soda, powder, salt, and all the spices in a bowl. This sets the spicy base of the bread.
- Next, Wet Ingredients:
- In a bigger bowl, stir pumpkin puree, oil, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla until it's all smooth and blended well for a tender dough.
- Bring It Together:
- Slowly fold the dry mix into the wet, stirring only till combined. Don't overdo it to keep the loaf soft.
- Get Your Pan Ready:
- Grease and dust a 9x5-inch loaf pan so the bread won’t stick. Pour the batter in and smooth the top.
- Bake It Right:
- Put the pan in a 350°F oven and bake about 55 to 65 minutes. Test it by poking in a toothpick; it should come out clean.
- Cool Before Glazing:
- Let the bread sit in the pan for ten minutes, then move it to a wire rack so the bottom stays fresh and not soggy.
- Make The Butterscotch Topping:
- Melt butterscotch chips with cream over gentle heat until smooth. Take off the stove and stir in vanilla.
- Top And Enjoy:
- Pour warm glaze over the cooled loaf. Let it set a bit before cutting for neat, shiny slices.
I once baked two loaves on a cold weekend and handed them out around my block. Everyone loved the buttery glaze, making it a go-to treat all season long.
Best Way To Store
Keep extra slices wrapped tight in plastic or foil on the counter for up to three days to hold moisture. Want to keep longer? Freeze them up to three months, wrapped well. Let thaw overnight or warm gently in the oven before glazing again.
Swap Out Ingredients
Try melting butter instead of vegetable oil for a richer feel. Use maple syrup in place of brown sugar for natural sweetness with a warm undertone. Toss in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for texture and extra flavor.
Great Pairings
Have a warm slice with chai or coffee spiced with cinnamon to match the loaf’s flavors. Spread cream cheese or mascarpone on top for creamy contrast. Add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to up the indulgence.
This pumpkin loaf feels like a warm welcome to the season. Once you try it with the sweet butterscotch topping, it might just become your fall favorite.
Frequently Asked Cooking Questions
- → Which spices make pumpkin taste best?
Mixing cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger gives pumpkin a cozy, fall vibe.
- → How do I keep the loaf soft?
Pumpkin puree and vegetable oil lock in moisture so it stays tender.
- → What helps the bread stay fluffy?
Be gentle when stirring so you don’t toughen up the loaf.
- → How can I get a smooth butterscotch drizzle?
Melt butterscotch chips slowly with cream on low heat, stirring till it’s shiny and smooth.
- → Can the drizzle be thicker or thinner?
Sure, just add more cream to thin it or less cream to thicken it up.
- → Which pan size is best?
A 9x5-inch loaf pan lets the bread cook evenly and keeps it just right.