Indulge in the ultimate taste of autumn with this incredibly moist and flavorful Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread. Bursting with aromatic spices and delightful chocolate chips, it’s the quintessential fall treat that brings warmth and comfort to any moment. Whether you’re enjoying it for a cozy breakfast, a decadent dessert, or a comforting snack, this quick bread is sure to become a seasonal favorite in your home.
If you cherish the rich flavors of this pumpkin chocolate chip bread, you’ll also adore these equally delicious Pumpkin Muffins with Chocolate Chips.
The Ultimate Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread: Your Go-To Fall Comfort Food
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread holds a special place in the hearts of many, especially as the crisp air of autumn rolls in. It’s more than just a recipe; it’s a staple for the season, a comforting hug in bread form. The combination of earthy pumpkin, warm spices, and sweet, melting chocolate chips creates an irresistible harmony that evokes feelings of coziness and nostalgia.
This particular recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread is a true gem, designed to be effortlessly delicious. While it builds on the foundation of a beloved classic pumpkin bread, it’s been meticulously refined to achieve an even richer flavor and superior texture. We’ve made a few thoughtful tweaks that transform it from simply good to absolutely unforgettable. By substituting the original oil and butter blend entirely with butter, and incorporating a strategic dash of baking powder, we’ve elevated this bread to new heights of moistness and tenderness. It’s pumpkin bread, reimagined and perfected!
Imagine waking up to the aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg, ready to slice into a warm loaf that’s perfectly sweet, wonderfully spiced, and studded with pockets of melted chocolate. It’s versatile enough to grace your breakfast table, serve as an afternoon pick-me-up, or conclude a festive meal. This bread truly embodies the spirit of fall, making every bite a delightful experience.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Loaf
Crafting the perfect Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread starts with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that coveted moist texture, rich flavor, and aromatic spice blend. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:
- Flour & Sugar: The backbone of any quick bread! We use all-purpose flour for a tender crumb and granulated sugar for sweetness and moisture. Ensure your flour is fresh and sifted if clumpy to guarantee a smooth batter.
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder: These leavening agents are crucial for the bread’s rise and light texture. Baking soda reacts with the acidic pumpkin puree, while baking powder provides an additional lift, ensuring a beautifully domed loaf.
- Spices: A harmonious blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt infuses the bread with classic fall flavors. The cinnamon offers warmth, nutmeg adds a subtle, earthy sweetness, and salt balances all the flavors. For convenience, you can easily swap the individual spices for an equal amount of your favorite pumpkin pie spice blend.
- Pumpkin Puree: The star ingredient! Always opt for pure canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie mix, as the latter contains added sugars and spices that will alter the recipe. If you’re using homemade pumpkin puree, make sure to drain any excess liquid first to prevent a soggy loaf.
- Eggs: Large eggs are standard in most baking recipes and provide structure and moisture to the bread. Ensure they are at room temperature for better emulsification with other ingredients.
- Butter: This recipe exclusively uses melted butter, which contributes to a richer flavor and tender crumb compared to oil. It’s important to melt the butter and then let it cool slightly. It should still be liquid but not so hot that it will cook your eggs when combined.
- Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips are a fantastic choice, offering a balanced sweetness that complements the pumpkin and spices. However, feel free to experiment with milk chocolate chips for a sweeter profile, or even dark chocolate for a deeper, more intense flavor. Mini chocolate chips or chocolate chunks also work beautifully.
Baking Your Perfect Loaf: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making this delightful Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread is straightforward, even for novice bakers. Follow these simple steps for a consistently delicious result:
STEP 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven. Begin by preheating your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when your batter is ready, promoting an even bake. Next, prepare a 1-pound loaf pan. You can either spray it thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray or, for easier removal and cleanup, line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to use as handles.
STEP 2: Combine Dry Ingredients. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, and nutmeg. Whisking ensures these ingredients are thoroughly combined and evenly distributed, which is key for a consistent rise and flavor throughout the bread.
STEP 3: Mix Wet Ingredients. In a separate, larger bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, eggs, and the melted butter (ensuring it’s cooled slightly but still liquid). Whisk these ingredients together until they are well blended and smooth. This creates the flavorful and moist base for your bread.
STEP 4: Gently Combine Wet and Dry. Add the whisked dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently mix them together. Mix only until the ingredients are mostly combined and there are still a few dry streaks. At this point, fold in the chocolate chips. Continue to mix just until the batter is fully combined and no dry pockets remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough bread.
STEP 5: Fill and Bake. Pour the prepared batter evenly into your lined or greased loaf pan. If you like, sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top before baking for a beautiful, enticing finish. Place the loaf pan into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 60-70 minutes. The bread is done when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs attached. Around the 40-50 minute mark, if you notice the top browning too quickly, loosely tent a piece of aluminum foil over the pan to prevent over-browning while the inside finishes baking.
STEP 6: Cool and Enjoy. Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 15-20 minutes. This allows the bread to set and prevents it from crumbling. After this initial cooling, use the parchment paper overhangs (if used) or carefully invert the pan to remove the loaf entirely. Transfer it to the wire rack to cool completely before slicing. While delicious warm, slicing it cooled prevents tearing and ensures perfect slices.
Pro Tips & Variations for the Ultimate Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
Elevate your Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread experience with these helpful tips and creative variations:
- Pan Preparation Perfection: While a nonstick spray works, I find that lining the loaf pan with parchment paper is truly superior. It makes removing the delicate loaf incredibly easy, preventing any sticking or breakage, and simplifies cleanup. I typically use a 1-pound loaf pan for this recipe, which yields a beautifully shaped, taller loaf. If you opt for a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan, your bread might be slightly shorter, but it will bake just as wonderfully. This loaf pan is my trusted choice for consistent results.
- Storage Savvy: This bread is often devoured quickly, but if you have leftovers, proper storage is key to maintaining its freshness. At room temperature, wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for 2-3 days. For a slightly longer shelf life, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. However, be aware that refrigeration can sometimes dry out quick breads, so bring it to room temperature or gently warm it before serving for the best texture. For long-term storage, sliced or whole loaves can be frozen, tightly wrapped, for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
- Flavorful Variations:
- Nutty Addition: For an extra layer of texture and flavor, fold in 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts along with the chocolate chips.
- Spice It Up: Enhance the spice profile by adding a pinch of ground ginger or cloves to the dry ingredients.
- Citrus Zest: A tablespoon of orange or lemon zest can brighten the flavors beautifully, adding a subtle tang that complements the pumpkin.
- Chocolate Choices: Experiment with white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or a mix of different chocolate types for varied sweetness and flavor.
- Cream Cheese Swirl: For an extra decadent twist, prepare a simple cream cheese mixture (softened cream cheese, a little sugar, and an egg yolk) and swirl it into the batter before baking.
- Serving Suggestions: This bread is fantastic on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a smear of cream cheese, a dollop of whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar. Serve it warm with a cup of coffee or hot cider for the ultimate fall indulgence. It also makes a thoughtful homemade gift!
Discover More Delicious Pumpkin Recipes
If you’re a true pumpkin enthusiast, explore these other fantastic recipes that celebrate the beloved flavor of fall:
Pumpkin Cobbler
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
Oatmeal Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Mini Crescent Pumpkin Pies
LOOKING FOR MORE FREE RECIPES?
Subscribe to my free recipe newsletter to get new family-friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing more family-friendly inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
Pin
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup butter melted and slightly cooled
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Line a 1-pound loaf pan with parchment paper or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, and nutmeg.1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin, eggs, and melted butter. Mix to combine.1 cup pumpkin puree, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup butter
- Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture. Mix until mostly combined, then add the chocolate chips and stir just until fully combined. Avoid overmixing.1 cup chocolate chips
- Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan. You may sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top for a visually appealing finish, if desired.
- Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 60-70 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. If the top begins to brown too much before it’s fully baked, loosely tent a piece of foil over the bread.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes before carefully removing it to a wire rack to cool completely.