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Love Starbucks Pumpkin Bread? Bet you'll love this moist, tender, incredibly delicious Better Than Starbucks Pumpkin Bread even more! It's a one-bowl, no-mixer recipe that you can throw together in minutes!
This pumpkin bread is our very favorite fall recipe. And although I love Starbucks pumpkin bread, this one is so moist, has such a tender, delicious crumb and it's SO easy to make, it deserves its name, "Better than Starbucks"!
I decided it was important to get in the right frame of mind to write this post. So I've got a loaf of this Better Than Starbucks Pumpkin Bread in the oven. I also purchased a slice of Starbucks Pumpkin Bread to nibble on and just made a cappuccino to sip on. You know, to get in the mood, and to say the right things about this delicious sweet treat. After all, a girl has to be prepared, right?
One-bowl, no-mixer required!
I've got a lot on my to-do list today, so why would I bother to make another batch of this Better Than Starbucks Pumpkin Bread? Well, first of all, it takes less than 15 minutes to put together... you basically dump everything in a bowl and stir till it's all combined. And then, wait for the intoxicating aroma to waft through your entire house.
I'm starting to smell it now and it's beyond amazing! And if you think I'm spoofing you about how easy it is to throw together, check out this video.
See what I mean? Super easy!
Breakfast, brunch, snack or... dessert!
Another reason I decided to make a loaf this morning is that it's not only a fabulous breakfast treat and any time-of-day snack, it can also double as dessert! I love to slice it thick, warm it just a bit in the microwave (10 seconds), top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle this Real Deal Microwave Caramel Sauce or this Ridiculously Easy Butterscotch Sauce over it.
Want to really take things over the top? Add a few of these Easy Candied Pecans and you'll feel like a culinary rock star. However you serve it, this Better than Starbucks Pumpkin Bread makes an incredible fall-inspired dessert! So you see, in addition to getting in the proper frame of mind to write this post, my morning baking efforts have also reaped dessert for dinner tonight - certainly a win-win!
Better than Starbucks?
Why do we call this "better" than Starbucks? Don't get me wrong, I love Starbucks Pumpkin Bread. It's a delicious treat with a cup of coffee or a tall glass of cold milk. But I'm only taking a few nibbles of this piece in front of me because I'm waiting for the loaf in my oven to finish baking. Then I may seriously indulge. Why? I'm glad you asked!
First of all, I think this pumpkin bread has a more tender crumb than the Starbucks version. Check it out in the picture below!
It's also super flavorful with the addition of a generous scoop of pumpkin pie spice (a combination of warm autumn spices: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cloves). Extra cinnamon brings out all that wonderful fall flavor.
Starbucks pumpkin bread has a tiny (as in minimal) sprinkle of crushed pepitas (pumpkin seeds) on the top of their loaves. Nice, but not super attractive. I think this bread has a prettier and tastier topping. A handful of pumpkin seeds, a drizzle of honey and a splash of oil are stirred together and then sprinkled on top of the batter before baking. As the bread bakes, this topping takes on a beautiful glaze and crunch. See what I mean? Better than Starbucks Pumpkin Bread!
Another benefit of making this bread yourself is that you can adapt it to your preferences. Don't like or don't have any pepitas on hand? Leave them off or use chopped pecans. You could also simply add a sprinkle of granulated or raw sugar for a sweet, crisp topping.
You can also use different size baking pans. This recipe works well in a 9x5-inch pan, but you can also use 4 smaller pans for mini loaves. No loaf pans? Just bake it in a 9-inch round pan and slice it in half, then crossways into thin rectangular slices.
Save a bunch of bucks!
Okay, one last reason this pumpkin bread is better than Starbucks is - the price! Yikes, if you've purchased anything at Starbucks, you know it's not cheap. A slice of any of their bread is around $3.00. You can easily make a whole loaf of this bread for less than it would cost for two slices at Starbucks!
A lovely seasonal gift
Pumpkin bread makes a wonderful gift. Who wouldn't love to find a delicious loaf on their doorstep or in their mailbox? It also makes a nice hostess gift and would be perfect to give as a Thanksgiving treat.
We're offering a pretty little label to dress up this Better Than Starbucks Pumpkin Bread for gift giving. If you'd like to receive our free printable PDF, just let us know in the comment section below this post. We'll send it right to your email inbox where you can download and print the labels from your computer.
Okay, it smells like a fine bakery in here as the amazing aroma wafts through the house. I need to run and take the bread out of the oven. I can hardly wait for it to cool a bit. Sure wish we could sit down and enjoy a piece together, but since we can't, make a loaf of this Better Than Starbucks Pumpkin Bread today and give a little "cheers" to the Café when you take the first fabulous bite!
Café Tips for making this Better Than Starbucks Pumpkin Bread
- This recipe calls for pumpkin pie spice which is a combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cloves. Don't have any pumpkin pie spice? No problem, you can make your own in way less time than you can run to the store and pick some up!
- Make sure you use pumpkin puree in this recipe and not pumpkin pie filling. They are usually sold right near each other, often in the same size can. Pumpkin puree is simply pumpkin that's been cooked and pureed. Pumpkin pie filling is pumpkin puree as well as sugar and spices.
- This recipe calls for using a 9x5-inch loaf pan. You can also use two 8x4-inch pans.
- Another option is to make 4 loaves in small loaf pans. The small ceramic loaf pans in the pictures above are also nice to bake this bread in and give as gifts.
- If you're in a hurry or just want to keep things a little simpler, a sprinkle of raw or regular granulated sugar before baking (in lieu of the pepita topping) is also delicious and creates a crisp, sweet topping as it bakes.
- Although I'm a huge fan of butter for both cooking and baking, don't try to sub butter for the oil in this recipe. It's the oil that gives this bread such a moist, tender crumb.
- You can use any neutral-flavored oil for this recipe. I love sunflower, safflower and grapeseed oils, but canola, corn or vegetable oils also work. Stronger flavored oils like peanut, coconut, sesame or olive oils will add a flavor of their own to this bread.
- Instead of the pumpkin seed topping, this bread is also delicious with just a sprinkle of sugar over the top before baking. I like to use Turbinado or Demerara sugar but regular granulated sugar will also work.
- To transform this Better Than Starbucks Pumpkin Bread into a delicious dessert, place thick slices in pretty (microwave-safe) bowls. Warm each slice for 10-15 seconds in the microwave. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of this fabulous Real Deal Microwave Caramel Sauce (takes less than 15 minutes to prepare). To take it over the top, add a few of these Easy Candied Pecans for the crowning glory. Your guests will be in dessert heaven, for sure!
- When making the larger loaf, I like to line a sheet pan with aluminum foil and bake the bread right on the sheet pan. If the bread seems to be getting too brown after 40-45 minutes of baking, I simply pull up the foil around the sides on the pan and tent it loosely over the top.
- There's nothing worse than going through the trouble of putting together and baking a cake or loaf of bread only to find that you've under or over baked it. The BEST way to determine when baked goods are perfectly done is to use an instant thermometer. Quick breads, like this Better Than Starbucks Pumpkin Bread, are done when an instant thermometer, inserted in the center, reads 195-205˚F.
Thought for the day:
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
Psalm 116:1&2
What we're listening to for inspiration:
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It’s so helpful to other readers to hear other’s results and ideas for variations.
Love Starbucks Pumpkin Bread? Bet you'll love this moist, tender, incredibly delicious Better Than Starbucks Pumpkin Bread even more! It's a one-bowl, no-mixer recipe that you can throw together in minutes!
- 3 large eggs
- 1½ cups pumpkin puree
- ⅔ cup sunflower oil or any mild-flavored oil
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- 1 teaspoon honey (or maple syrup)
- ½ teaspoon sunflower oil or any mild-flavored oil
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Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan (see the Café Tips above in the post for using other size pans) with baking spray. Set aside. Line a sheet pan with foil. Set aside.
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Place eggs in a medium-large bowl and whisk well.
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Add pumpkin and whisk until smooth. Add the oil, white and brown sugars and vanilla. Mix until nice and smooth.
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Sprinkle the pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt over the pumpkin mixture and mix until well combined.
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Add the flour and stir just until the flour has disappeared and no large lumps remain.
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Combine pumpkin seeds (pepitas), honey and oil and stir to combine. To make mixing easier, you can pop the pepita mixture in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to thin out the honey. Set mixture aside.
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Transfer batter to prepared pan. Smooth the top and scatter the pumpkin seed mixture over the top. Place on the prepared sheet pan and bake for 55-65 minutes. Check the bread after 40-45 minutes and if the top seems to be getting brown, pull the foil up around the sides of the pan and loosely over the top. Return to the oven and finish baking, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean or the internal temperature is 195-205˚F when checked with an instant thermometer (the best way to determine doneness).
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For the smaller pans (see Café Tips above) you'll only need to bake for 25-30 minutes but again, the best way to determine doneness is with an instant thermometer).
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Cool for 20 minutes, then slide out of the pan and transfer to a cool rack. Cool completely before slicing (if you can wait!).
See Café Tips above in the post for more detailed instructions and tips.
Kelly says
Hi Chris... This will be a great gift to give to the staff at my brothers' group home this Thanksgiving. Your beautiful tags will make it very attractive ! As always, thanks for teaching us to cook such delicious food items !
Chris Scheuer says
You're welcome, Kelly! The labels have been sent! Enjoy!
Rita Giordimaina says
Hi Chris. This recipe looks very interesting and I'm planning to make it tomorrow. Will you advise me please, if I may substitute the pumpkin puree can, with cooked and mashed fresh pumpkin? I love your blog and I'm sorry I discovered it quite recently.By the way congratulate Scott for the lovely pictures. Thanks for sharing your recipes. May God bless you both.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Rita, welcome to The Café! Thanks for your kind words, I will relay them to Scott!
Regarding your question, mashed fresh pumpkin will be delicious!
Cathy says
I have not tried this delicious looking bread yet, but am going to try it for our drive-through , pick up Thanksgiving dinner this year. I have tried many of your other recipes and have loved each one. Your pictures are amazing. I would really like these labels to add to our take out dinner! Thank you for such a wonderful blog. Love reading the quotes!
Chris Scheuer says
That's a great idea, Cathy! Sending the labels now.
Vivian says
Pumpkin bread is one of my favourites. Will definitely be making this one. I love how you decorated it. Makes for a lovely presentation.
Would appreciate you sending the PDF for the tags. They are so attractive. Thanking you.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Vivian! The labels will be in your inbox shortly!
Joyce says
Thanks for offering the recipe and coordinating label. I will send in some for our grandchildrens' teachers. Blessings!
Chris Scheuer says
You're welcome. This bread will make wonderful gifts! That's so sweet of you! The labels are one the way!
Vetta says
Would love the labels! Love all your recipes.
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, sending them now, Vetta! Enjoy!
Brigida says
Hi Chris
I just saw your post and it put a smile on my face because this weekend I was a busy bee in the kitchen, I made your cut out pumpkin cookies your trick with the glaze worked amazing and I made also the thumb print cookies with the little candy pumpkins also amazing. I packed them in bags and gave them to my grandkids and some of their friends and they all loved them. Thank you for sharing the recipes. Last week I had some friends over that I hadn’t seen in awhile and made the pumpkin loaf and they did agree unanimously that it was better than Starbucks. They all wanted the recipe and I directed them to your blog. Can you please send me the PDF for the labels they add such a beautiful finishing touch. Thank you
Chris Scheuer says
You have been a busy bee, Brigida! That makes my day 🥰 Sending you the labels now!
Michelle Fowler says
This is my go-to at Starbucks and am thankful for this excellent recipe I can make at home. I would love the labels as well!
Chris Scheuer says
That's awesome, Michelle! I'll be happy to send the labels.
Franceen Patti says
Can't wait to make this. Love the pepitas as a topping.
I too would like the label download.
Thanks Franceen
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, they're on the way, Franceen! Enjoy!
LuAnn Conant says
Hi Chris!
I'm enjoying the wonderful aroma of this bread right now. Thank you for the recipe and I would love to have the tags. I really enjoy the verses and music you share as well. Such a blessing! Happy Thanksgiving
Chris Scheuer says
It's an amazing aroma! Thanks, LuAnn! I'll get the labels off to you now!
Cabot Mama says
Since our annual family Thanksgiving gathering of my husband's 30 closest relatives (family of eight kids, plus spouses, and 15 grands!) has been cancelled this year, my kids decided we need to bake our traditional Thanksgiving-themed sugar cookies and mail packages to all the family members to enjoy at their individual Thanksgiving celebrations - a way to help us all feel connected.
Please send us the tags, and we will happily add a loaf of pumpkin bread to our packages to brighten everyone's Thanksgiving breakfast!
Chris Scheuer says
What a great idea! These will make your packages quite festive!
Lynda says
Hi Chris,
This looks wonderful and I would love to have the labels. Thank you so much for all of your wonderful recipes, and detailed instructions!
God Bless,
Lynda
Chris Scheuer says
You're welcome, Lynda! The labels are on the way!
PAT says
Hi Chris - the pumpkin bread looks delish....love everything you do! Would love the tags. Thanks much! Pat
Chris Scheuer says
Thank you, Pat, sending the labels off now!
Malinda Price says
Hi Chris, I am looking forward to trying this recipe today. Would you please send me the PDF for the tags? I enjoy your recipes often!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, I'll be happy to send them, Malinda!
Francie Spears says
Would this recipe double ok?
Also, would like labels.
Thanks for the great recipes I always find here.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Francie, you can definitely double this recipe although it may be easier to make it in two bowls rather than one huge bowl. Sending you the labels now!
Millie Law says
Hi Chris, I’m looking forward to trying this recipe and gifting this next month! Would love the labels as well! Your blog is a joy and the “extras” are much appreciated!
Millie
Chris Scheuer says
Thank you Millie! 🥰 Sending the labels now!
Jean James says
Your Better Than Starbucks Pumpkin Bread looks so delicious . It would make wonderful gifts.
I would love to receive the labels.
Thanks!
Chris Scheuer says
It will make wonderful gifts! The labels are coming your way, Jean!
Sharon Gerow says
I would appreciate receiving your pumpkin bread labels, since I plan on baking a loaf for new neighbours. Thankyou.
Chris Scheuer says
Great idea! I'll get them to you now, Sharon! Enjoy!
sulizna says
thank you for the lovely recipes! what a nice gift! would like the labels too...thanks!
Chris Scheuer says
You're welcome, Sulizna! The labels are on the way!
Jacki says
Thank you, I was planning to bake pumpkin loaves today so I will make your recipe! I would love the labels as well. Thank you!
Chris Scheuer says
Perfect timing! I'll get those off to you now, Jacki!
sunnysewsit says
Can't wait to try this! The huge pumpkin pies at Costco were very tempting, but too much for just the two of us. Thank you for this recipe, and I would LOVE the labels.
Chris Scheuer says
They are beautiful but definitely huge! Hope you enjoy this bread just as much. Sending the labels now!
Christine Scott says
Would love the printable label. Love your recipes!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks you, Christine! I'm send out labels now and you are on the list! Enjoy!
Ann Bragdon says
Sounds wonderful. Planning to make some loaves for my neighbors. Would love to have the printable labels. Thank you.
Chris Scheuer says
This bread will be a great gift for the neighbors. I'll send the pdf now, Ann!
Bobbi McMillen says
Chris. This looks amazing. Planning on making these for favors for Thanksgiving dinner. Would love to have the PDF labels. Appreciate you doing this for us. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Bobbi! The labels will be in your inbox shortly!
Mary Lou says
I can’t wait to try this. Looks yummy. I would love the labels to use to gift at thanksgiving. Thanks so much! I appreciate & enjoy your posts & the photography is outstanding as well.
Chris Scheuer says
This will be great for Thanksgiving! Send you the labels now, Mary Lou! Thanks for your kind words 🥰