Delicious Butterscotch Pumpkin Loaf

Category: Sweet Treats to Satisfy Any Craving

This pumpkin loaf feels tender thanks to cozy spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves. It mixes pumpkin puree, brown sugar, and oil to stay soft and tasty. Baking till it's golden gives you a nice, fluffy bite. Then a silky butterscotch drizzle made from chips and cream adds a glossy, sweet touch. Ideal for fall get-togethers, this loaf brings that homey warmth to your kitchen when it's cool outside.

Dana
Recipe Created By Dana
Last updated on Sun, 16 Nov 2025 12:30:28 GMT
A slice of moist butterscotch glazed pumpkin bread. Save
A slice of moist butterscotch glazed pumpkin bread. | chefsnaps.com

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.
A slice of moist butterscotch glazed pumpkin bread.
A slice of moist butterscotch glazed pumpkin bread. | chefsnaps.com

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.

A slice of moist butterscotch glazed pumpkin bread.
A slice of moist butterscotch glazed pumpkin bread. | chefsnaps.com

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.

Butterscotch Pumpkin Loaf

Spiced pumpkin loaf topped with a smooth butterscotch drizzle, perfect for cozy baking moments.

Preparation Duration
20 minutes
Time to Cook
60 minutes
Overall Time
80 minutes
Recipe Created By: Dana

Type of Recipe: Desserts

Cooking Skill Level: For Moderate Skills

Cuisine Style: American

Serving Amount: 10 Number of Servings (10 slices)

Dietary Options: Great for Vegetarians

Ingredients You'll Need

→ Dry Mix

01 220 g plain flour
02 2 g salt
03 2 g baking powder
04 5 g baking soda
05 0.5 g ground cloves
06 0.5 g ground ginger
07 2 g cinnamon powder
08 1 g nutmeg powder

→ Wet Mix

09 240 g pumpkin puree in a can
10 2 large eggs
11 200 g packed brown sugar
12 120 ml vegetable oil
13 5 ml vanilla flavor

→ Topping

14 30 ml heavy cream
15 1 ml vanilla extract
16 90 g butterscotch chips

Detailed Preparation Steps

Step 01

Turn the oven on to 175°C. Grease a 23x13 cm loaf pan and sprinkle a bit of flour over it.

Step 02

Take a medium bowl and stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices until it’s well combined.

Step 03

In a big bowl, mix pumpkin puree, eggs, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla until smooth with no lumps.

Step 04

Slowly add your dry mix into the wet one, folding gently until just combined so it stays light.

Step 05

Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Smooth the top and bake for 55 to 65 minutes. Check doneness by poking with a toothpick—it should come out clean.

Step 06

Leave the loaf in the pan for 10 minutes to cool, then move it onto a wire rack to chill completely.

Step 07

Gently melt butterscotch chips with cream over boiling water until smooth. Take off the heat and stir in vanilla.

Step 08

Pour the warm butterscotch drizzle over the cooled loaf evenly before cutting it up.

Helpful Tips

  1. Don’t mix too much or the loaf gets heavy.
  2. Adding more or less cream changes how thick the glaze feels.
  3. For a stronger butterscotch smell, try adding butterscotch extract in the batter.

Essential Kitchen Tools

  • 23x13 cm loaf pan
  • Bowls for mixing
  • Whisk
  • Double boiler or heatproof bowl over simmering water
  • Wire rack to cool

Allergy Information

Always check labels for allergens and reach out to a healthcare expert if unsure.
  • Has eggs, dairy (heavy cream), maybe gluten

Nutrition Information (Per Portion)

Nutrition facts are provided for reference and don’t replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 350
  • Fat Content: 18 grams
  • Carbohydrate Amount: 45 grams
  • Protein Content: 5 grams