This Pumpkin Raisin Bread is the perfect blend of warm spices, rich pumpkin flavor, and delightful add-ins like chocolate chips and raisins. Moist, tender, and topped with a zesty orange glaze, it’s a comforting treat that’s ideal for fall mornings, holiday gatherings, or an afternoon snack with coffee or tea.
The combination of cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and orange juice adds a cozy warmth with a bright, citrusy twist. Plus, it’s easy to make with simple pantry staples, making it a go-to recipe when you have leftover pumpkin purée. Whether you’re baking for yourself or sharing with loved ones, this bread is sure to become a seasonal favorite! 🍂
Equipment to make Pumpkin Raisin Bread?
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- Bread Pan (I like this one because it has lids)
- Parchment Paper(my favorite parchment paper to use)
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Some kind of spatula to scrape the sides of your bowl
- heat resistant spatulas: https://amzn.to/4gBCK6v
- Oven mitts or potholders
Let’s talk about ingredients for the Pumpkin Raisin Bread:
This Pumpkin Raisin Bread combines simple ingredients for a rich, spiced loaf. Pumpkin purée adds moisture and flavor, while cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and orange juice provide warmth and brightness. Brown and granulated sugars create sweetness, and chocolate chips and raisins offer extra texture and flavor. The orange glaze adds a sweet, tangy finish.
For the Bread:
- Flour (1¾ cups): The base of the bread that provides structure and stability, giving it a soft, tender crumb.
- Baking Soda (1 teaspoon): Helps the bread rise and become light and fluffy by reacting with the acid in the pumpkin and orange juice.
- Cinnamon (2 teaspoons): Adds warm, earthy sweetness and pairs perfectly with pumpkin and chocolate.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice (1 teaspoon): A blend of spices (like nutmeg, cloves, and ginger) that enhances the autumnal flavor.
- Salt (¾ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the bread.
- Pumpkin Purée (1½ cups): The star ingredient, giving the bread moisture, color, and rich pumpkin flavor.
- Oil (½ cup): Keeps the bread extra moist and tender. Neutral-flavored vegetable oil works best here.
- Orange Juice (¼ cup): Adds brightness and a subtle citrusy flavor that complements the spices and balances the sweetness.
- Eggs (2 large): Bind the ingredients together while adding richness and helping the bread rise.
- Granulated Sugar (½ cup): Adds sweetness and structure, creating a light, sweet base for the loaf.
- Dark Brown Sugar (¾ cup): Provides a deeper, caramel-like sweetness and adds extra moisture to the bread.
- Chocolate Chips (⅓ cup): Bring bursts of rich, melty chocolate to contrast with the pumpkin and spices.
- Raisins (⅓ cup): Add a chewy, fruity sweetness that complements the warm spices and pumpkin flavor.
For the Glaze:
- Powdered Sugar (½ cup): Creates a smooth, sweet base for the glaze that hardens slightly when drizzled on the bread.
- Orange Juice (2 teaspoons): Adds a bright, tangy flavor to the glaze that enhances the citrusy notes in the bread.
Together, these ingredients create a perfectly spiced, moist, and flavorful loaf that’s finished with a sweet and tangy glaze.
Now, let’s get into it
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s hot when the batter goes in. Grease a loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later. This step helps prevent the bread from sticking to the pan while it bakes. - Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. This step ensures the dry ingredients are evenly distributed, helping the bread rise uniformly and ensuring each bite has balanced flavor and texture. - Prepare the Wet Ingredients
In a separate, larger bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, dark brown sugar, and eggs until smooth and fully combined. Then, stir in the pumpkin purée, oil, and orange juice. These ingredients are key to making the bread moist and flavorful, and the oil ensures a tender crumb. - Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a dense loaf. The batter should be thick but not too stiff, with all the dry ingredients incorporated smoothly into the wet. - Fold in Add-ins
Once the batter is fully combined, gently fold in the chocolate chips and raisins. This step adds bursts of sweetness and chewy texture to the bread. Be sure to distribute them evenly without overworking the batter. - Bake the Bread
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. The exact baking time can vary depending on your oven, so be sure to start checking after about 45 minutes. If the top starts to brown too much, you can loosely cover it with foil for the remaining time. - Cool the Bread
Once the bread is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This helps the bread set and makes it easier to remove from the pan. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling the bread before glazing prevents the glaze from melting into the bread. - Make the Glaze
In a small bowl, mix together the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth and lump-free. The glaze should have a pourable consistency that’s thick enough to coat the bread without dripping too quickly. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more juice; if it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar. - Glaze the Bread
Once the bread is completely cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top, allowing it to set slightly before serving. This adds a sweet, tangy finishing touch that balances the spices in the bread.
Now, your pumpkin raisin bread is ready to slice and enjoy! The combination of pumpkin, spices, chocolate, and raisins makes this a comforting treat for any occasion.
Pumpkin Raisin Bread
Description
This Pumpkin Raisin Bread combines simple ingredients for a rich, spiced loaf. Pumpkin purée adds moisture and flavor, while cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and orange juice provide warmth and brightness. Brown and granulated sugars create sweetness, and chocolate chips and raisins offer extra texture and flavor. The orange glaze adds a sweet, tangy finish.
Ingredients
For the Bread:
For the Glaze:
Instructions
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Prepare the dry ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Set aside.
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Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate large bowl, combine the granulated sugar, dark brown sugar, and eggs. Stir in the pumpkin purée, oil, and orange juice until well blended. -
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined.
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Fold In Add-Ins
Gently fold in the chocolate chips and raisins for added flavor and texture.
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Bake the Bread
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Pour the batter into a greased or lined loaf pan. Bake for about 60 minutes, covering the top with foil halfway through to prevent over-browning. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean, the bread is ready. Let the bread cool completely in the pan.
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Prepare the Glaze
Once the bread has cooled, mix the powdered sugar and orange juice in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the top of the loaf.
Note
Allow bread to cool completely before adding glaze.
