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Spiced Pumpkin Bread with Citrus Zest

This pumpkin bread is baked as a moist, tender loaf infused with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, complemented by bright citrus notes from orange zest. The batter is mixed to a smooth consistency and baked until golden, resulting in a fragrant, sliceable bread with a slightly dense and crumbly texture.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 220

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest from 1 orange

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk or spoon
  • Loaf pan
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a standard loaf pan.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and pumpkin puree, stirring until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to incorporate air and ensure a cohesive batter.
  5. Add the orange zest to the wet mixture and stir to incorporate its bright aroma throughout the batter.
  6. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined and no streaks of flour remain.
  7. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure an even surface.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  10. Once cooled, slice the pumpkin bread to reveal a moist, dense crumb speckled with warm spice and orange zest.
  11. Serve slices plain or with a pat of butter, enjoying the fragrant, flavorful bites.