Sourdough Pumpkin Bread

Tips and Notes

• Check your pumpkin. For this recipe, make sure you’re using pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling. You can make homemade pumpkin puree or grab the store-bought, canned stuff. 
• Weigh your dry ingredients. If you have a kitchen scale, it is best to weigh the dry ingredients rather than measure them out with a measuring cup. A scale gets you the most accurate amount.
• Don’t over-mix. This is key to ensuring you get the best texture. Over-mixing will cause the bread to be dry and dense.  
• Use a metal loaf pan. This recipe is designed using a metal pan. If all you have is glass, then preheat the oven to 350ºF and drop it down to 325ºF after the first 15 minutes.
• Place the loaf pan on a baking sheet. While this isn’t totally necessary, it makes handling the loaf pan easier. It also prevents the bottom of the loaf from over-browning.
• Bake at two temperatures. You’ll start the bread at 375ºF for the first 15 minutes, then drop the oven temp to 350ºF for the remainder of the baking time. The high heat helps the bread rise, then the lower heat allows the bread to cook all the way through. 
• If your bread is browning too quickly, cover the top of the baking pan with a foil tent for the remainder of the cooking time. 
• Check for doneness. The best way to know if your pumpkin loaf is done cooking is to insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean, then it’s good to go.
• Cool before slicing. This makes for the cleanest cuts! I recommend letting the bread cool fully to room temperature before slicing it.

Variations

• Make chocolate sourdough pumpkin bread. Simply toss a handful of your favorite chocolate chips into the batter before baking. 
• Make sourdough pumpkin muffins. Swap the loaf pan out for a regular muffin pan. Keep in mind that this will alter the cooking time as well. I recommend baking at 350ºF for 17-23 minutes. Add time only as needed until a toothpick comes out clean. 
• Add frosting. Try adding another layer of tangy flavor by slathering the top of the loaf with a layer of cream cheese frosting. 
• Add nuts. Mix in a handful of your favorite chopped nuts. Almonds, pecans, and walnuts are all great options. 

Serving Suggestions

You can enjoy a slice of this delicious pumpkin bread recipe all on its own or with a spread of cinnamon butter. 

However, it also makes an excellent addition to breakfast or brunch! Here are a few of our favorite breakfast pairings:

• Egg Casserole
• English Muffin Breakfast Sandwich

Storage

A loaf of pumpkin bread will last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or wrapped tightly and stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To enjoy again, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen!

What Makes Sourdough Bread Different Than Regular Bread?

The difference is that sourdough uses a sourdough starter to help the bread rise rather than the traditional baker’s yeast. 

Sourdough starter is a mixture of fermented flour and water. It’s made over the course of a few weeks using whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, and bottled water.

The ingredients are mixed and then left to ferment—with a little bit of hands on attention throughout the process. The result is a more nutrient dense loaf with a delicious, slightly tangy flavor.