Pumpkin Bread Recipe for the Bread Machine and a Free Recipe Card!

Save time in the kitchen with this easy Pumpkin Bread Recipe for the bread machine! 

This recipe originally appeared on The Birch Cottage blog on September 18, 2017.

I was trying to think of a "dessert" to have for our picky-eater son's birthday dinner, besides our usual Banana Split Cake, when I decided to  give this Pumpkin Bread recipe for the bread machine a try.

Boy, am I glad I decided to give this pumpkin bread recipe for the bread machine a try!! My family and our son loved the pumpkin bread!

My hubby got up extra early to get his smoker up and running and then worked all day keeping a close eye on the soon to be be melt in your mouth smoked brisket that we were going to have for our son's birthday dinner. Our kids love meat. They especially love anything their dad prepares in the smoker, like the best ever grilled pork tenderloin. Brisket just so happens to be our son's favorite.

So, my job was to prepare the french fries and dessert. Dessert. One of the few times when what to prepare for dessert was actually a dilemma. Our son's a picky eater. Doesn't like fruit. Doesn't like vegetables. Doesn't like cheese. Doesn't like seafood. Doesn't even care for chocolate. With the exception of the picky eater, my family's favorite dessert is Banana Split Cake or Pie (whatever you call it). Oh, he'll eat the pie, but he picks out all the fruit.

Anyway, this plain, easy to make, bread machine recipe for Pumpkin Bread was definitely the right choice. I ended up making a second loaf because the first one went so fast. Then I made a third loaf, adding pecans to the bread. Still a big hit!

Pumpkin Bread Recipe for the Bread Machine

One of the things I learned after making quite a few loaves of pumpkin bread, was that the addition of greasing the bread machine pan and blade with shortening really was essential in helping the bread to release easily from the bread machine. I've tried it both with and without - sometimes it turns out perfect and sometimes the bread literally breaks in half when I don't grease the pan first.

Also, be sure to place all ingredients in the bread machine pan according to the order recommended by the manufacturer. For my bread machine, the manufacturer recommends adding all liquid ingredients first.

Step One: Be sure to grease bread machine pan and blade generously with shortening.

Hint: Measure carefully - you want your ingredients to be exact. If you just eyeball it, you might be disappointed with the results. 

Step Two: Measure and add liquid ingredients: ⅓ cup vegetable oil, 2 eggs, 1 cup canned pumpkin and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Step Three: Measure and add dry ingredients: 1 cup sugar, 1-½ cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves and ½ cup chopped nuts (optional).

Step Four: Select Quick Bread cycle on your bread machine. After about 3 minutes into cycle, open lid and carefully scrape down the sides of the bread pan. Close lid to continue with cycle.

Step Five: Cool baked bread 10 minutes in bread pan. Remove from pan to wire rack to cool. Enjoy!

How to Make Watercolor Pumpkins

By the way, if you're interested in learning how to make watercolor pumpkins, there's a great little tutorial from Dawn Nicole Designs. You can read all about it on her blog. Also, if you're interested in learning hand lettering, she's got you covered!

Watercolor Pumpkin Recipe Card

In keeping with the pumpkin theme, I thought it would be fun to create a printable watercolor pumpkin recipe card just for you! These 4"x6" recipe cards are the perfect accompaniment to a gifted loaf of pumpkin bread. Or simply for recording your favorite recipes.

Download Recipe Cards

For access to download this Watercolor Pumpkin Recipe Card (and many other subscriber exclusive printables), simply sign up for The Birch Cottage Newsletter. By signing up, you'll receive recipes like this one, delivered directly to your inbox. If you're already a subscriber, look for the Subscriber Exclusives link at the bottom of every newsletter.

[newsletter_signup_form id=1]

These Watercolor Pumpkin Recipe Cards come with a front and back and are 4"x6" recipe cards. You can choose to print just the front and leave the back of your recipe card blank or print the back as well so you have a lined area for writing more detailed instructions.

Now, back to this fantastic Pumpkin Bread Recipe. I can't even tell you how many loaves I've made of this bread during the month of September alone. It really is that good! It doesn't have an overwhelming pumpkin taste, but it does derive all its moistness from the pumpkin.

If you give this recipe a try, I'd love to hear about it! Simply leave a comment below or share a photo on Instagram and use #thebirchcottage hashtag so I'll be sure to see your photo.

More Pumpkin Ideas

If you liked this pumpkin bread recipe for the bread machine, you might also like these pumpkin themed recipes and ideas from The Birch Cottage blog:

• Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Pudding Cookies
• Sew a Fabric Pumpkin in 3 Sizes
• Herringbone Crocheted Pumpkin
• 5 Crochet Pumpkin Patterns

Til next time...