Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Bread

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Pumpkin Cinnamon Bread — Super soft, tender, moist pumpkin bread with a slightly crunchy cinnamon sugar topping!! The mini loaves are EASY, brimming will fall flavors, totally IRRESISTIBLE, and accidentally vegan!!

three mini Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Bread loaves

Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Moist pumpkin bread is such a quintessential fall treat. A slice of freshly baked pumpkin bread with warm coffee or tea in hand is wonderful. And if you can do enjoy it while sitting on the couch curled up with a blanket, even better.

Rather than making one big loaf, I made three mini loaves (I’ve given instructions on how to make one regular loaf as well!). Mini food is my jam. 

These adorable little cinnamon pumpkin bread loaves are brimming with the flavors of fall like pumpkin pie spice and molasses. Plus, they have a cinnamon sugar topping that gets slightly crunchy while the loaves bake. It’s the perfect contrast to the soft, tender, ultra moist pumpkin bread.

It tastes more like cake than bread, which I’ll never complain about.

And I have a secret to let you in on. The pumpkin quick bread is vegan but you’d never know it. No eggs, butter, or traditional dairy involved and yet it tastes so rich and decadent. I find pumpkin has a way of mimicking eggs by naturally keeping baked goods fluffy and perfectly light without being airy.

This cinnamon sugar pumpkin bread recipe is easy, you don’t even need a mixer, and it’s great if you’re trying to get friends and family together around this time of the year and have something for everyone to eat and enjoy.

sliced loaf of moist pumpkin bread

Pumpkin Cinnamon Bread Ingredients 

For this cinnamon pumpkin bread recipe, you’ll need: 

  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Pumpkin pie spice
  • Salt
  • Granulated sugar
  • Light brown sugar
  • Pumpkin puree
  • Vegetable oil
  • Silk Unsweetened Vanilla Almondmilk
  • Molasses
  • Vanilla extract

Rather than regular milk I used and Silk Unsweetened Vanilla Almondmilk. The Silk #TastesLikeBetter campaign is rooted in providing delicious dairy-free products that inspire people to live a life grounded in positive choices that offer both taste and nutrition. Silk products are dairy-free, lactose-free, cholesterol-free, and free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.

I’m a huge Silk fan and use it all the time in my cooking, baking, and smoothie-making. 

two slices of cinnamon pumpkin bread

How to Make Pumpkin Cinnamon Bread

This pumpkin quick bread might be my easiest recipe yet! Here’s how the cinnamon pumpkin bread is made: 

  1. Combine the wet ingredients in one bowl and the dry in another.
  2. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until just combined.
  3. Turn the quick bread batter into three greased mini loaf pans, then sprinkle liberally with cinnamon sugar.
  4. Bake the cinnamon sugar pumpkin bread until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Tip: To be safe, start checking the loaves at 30 minutes because all mini pans, ovens, and climates vary.

 sliced loaf of Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Bread

Can I Make This as a Single Loaf?

Yes, this cinnamon pumpkin bread can be made as a single loaf instead of three minis.

You’d want to use a 9×5-inch loaf pan and it will likely need 45ish minutes in the oven. I haven’t made this as a single loaf yet, so I’m just using my best judgement here. 

Can I Add Mix-Ins to the Bread? 

Please do! Mini chocolate chips would contrast nicely with the crunchy cinnamon topping, but chopped nuts or dried fruit would also be a welcome addition. 

three loaves of cinnamon sugar pumpkin quick bread with carton of Silk almond milk

Can I Use Another Type of Milk? 

Yes, if you don’t have almond milk or prefer not to use it you can substitute any other milk you have on hand. Just make sure the milk is unsweetened and fairly neutral in flavor. 

Can I Freeze Pumpkin Bread? 

Yes, this cinnamon pumpkin bread freezes incredibly well. Let it cool to room temperature and then wrap it in plastic wrap. To thaw it, simply place the loaf on your counter overnight. 

how to make pumpkin bread

Tips for Making Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Bread

First and foremost, you MUST use pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling for this cinnamon pumpkin bread recipe. Pumpkin pie filling is sweetened and spiced and will mess up the flavor of this bread. 

Note that you also want to use a mild molasses for this recipe. Blackstrap molasses is too strong for this cinnamon sugar pumpkin bread and will overpower the other ingredients. 

Lastly, these mini loaves make great holiday presents. Wrap them in colorful cellophane and tie them off with ribbon for an easy homemade gift everyone will love! 

 Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Bread - Super soft, tender, moist pumpkin bread with a slightly crunchy cinnamon sugar topping!! The MINI loaves are EASY, brimming will fall flavors, totally IRRESISTIBLE, and accidentally vegan!!

Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Bread — Super soft, tender, moist pumpkin bread with a slightly crunchy cinnamon sugar topping!! The mini loaves are EASY, brimming will fall flavors, totally IRRESISTIBLE, and accidentally vegan!!

Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Bread — Super soft, tender, moist pumpkin bread with a slightly crunchy cinnamon sugar topping!! The mini loaves are EASY, brimming will fall flavors, totally IRRESISTIBLE, and accidentally vegan!!

 

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4.44 from 149 votes

Cinnamon Pumpkin Bread

By Averie Sunshine
Super soft, tender, moist pumpkin bread with a slightly crunchy cinnamon sugar topping. Bonus: this cinnamon sugar pumpkin bread is accidentally vegan!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Cooling Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
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Ingredients  

Bread

  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • ¾ cup pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling
  • cup vegetable oil, canola oil, or liquid-state coconut oil (melt in microwave if necessary to liquify)
  • ¼ cup Silk Unsweetened Vanilla Almondmilk
  • 2 tablespoons mild or medium molasses
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Cinnamon Sugar Topping

  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided 3 ways
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon, divided 3 ways

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400F. Spray three 5x3x2-inch mini loaf pans very well with floured cooking spray or grease and flour the pans; set aside.
  • To a large bowl add the flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and whisk together; set aside.
  • To a separate large bowl add the sugars, pumpkin, oil (I used coconut) milk, molasses, vanilla, and whisk until combined.
  • Pour the wet pumpkin mixture over the dry ingredients, and stir until just combined; don’t overmix.
  • Evenly distribute batter between the 3 prepared pans, filling each about 2/3-full.
  • Evenly sprinkle 1 tablespoon sugar over each of the 3 pans.
  • Evenly sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon over each of the 3 pans and place pans on a baking sheet (easier than dealing with 3 separate small pans in a hot oven).
  • Bake for about 40 to 43 minutes, or until tops are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. Start checking at 30 minutes because all mini pans, ovens, and climates vary.
  • Allow bread to cool in pans for about 15 minutes before removing and placing on a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Bread will keep airtight at room temp for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Recipe adapted from my Vegan Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins, Mini Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Muffins, and Mini Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins.

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 144kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Sodium: 88mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 15g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

More Pumpkin Recipes: 

My FAVORITE PUMPKIN RECIPES on my blog!

My cookbook, Cooking With Pumpkin: Recipes That Go Beyond the Pie is my second cookbook and there are over 50 pumpkin recipes including sweets, savory, drinks, and a photo for nearly every recipe. I’d be super grateful if you headed over to Amazon to check it out!

Cooking With Pumpkin: Recipes That Go Beyond the Pie by Averie Sunshine

Vegan Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins – You’ll never miss the eggs or butter! Easy, soft, fluffy and the best pumpkin muffins ever!

Vegan Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins - You'll never miss the eggs or butter! Easy, soft, fluffy and the best pumpkin muffins ever!

Mini Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins — Easy, no mixer recipe for the softest, moistest, most adorable little muffins ever! Rich pumpkin flavor and chocolate in every bite!

Mini Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins - Easy, no mixer recipe for the SOFTEST, moistest, most ADORABLE little muffins ever!! Rich PUMPKIN flavor and CHOCOLATE in every bite!!

Mini Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Muffins – Soft little muffins that pack a big punch of pumpkin flavor! Mini food just tastes better!

Mini Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Muffins - Soft little muffins that pack a big punch of pumpkin flavor! Mini food just tastes better!! YUM!

The Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake with Chocolate Ganache – One of my all-time favorite cakes, EVER! This is a must-make that everyone loves!

The Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake with Chocolate Ganache - The softest, moistest and best pumpkin cake! Easy & everyone LOVES it!

The Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread – Super soft, moist, rich pumpkin flavor, and loaded with chocolate chips! Easy, no mixer recipe that’s the BEST!

The Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread - Super soft, moist, rich pumpkin flavor, and loaded with chocolate chips! Easy, no mixer recipe that's the BEST!!

Soft and Chewy Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies – A thick, hearty oatmeal cookie and a soft, chewy pumpkin cookie all in one! Lots of chocolate, not at all cakey, easy, and your new favorite pumpkin cookie recipe!

Soft and Chewy Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies - A thick, hearty oatmeal cookie and a soft, chewy pumpkin cookie all in one!! Lots of chocolate, not at all cakey, easy, and your new favorite pumpkin cookie recipe!!

Soft and Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies –  No cakey cookies here! Soft, chewy, thick, loaded with chocolate and bold pumpkin flavor! Your new favorite pumpkin cookies!

Soft and Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies - No cakey cookies here!! Soft, chewy, thick, loaded with chocolate and bold pumpkin flavor! Your new favorite pumpkin cookies!!

Cream Cheese-Filled Pumpkin Bread – Pumpkin bread that’s like having cheesecake baked in! Soft, fluffy, easy and tastes ahhhh-mazing!Cream Cheese-Filled Pumpkin Bread - Pumpkin bread that's like having cheesecake baked in! Soft, fluffy, easy and tastes ahhhh-mazing!

Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars – Super soft and are like biting into a piece of rich pumpkin fudge! Loaded with chocolate and crazy good!

Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars - Super soft and are like biting into a piece of rich pumpkin fudge! Loaded with chocolate and crazy good!!

Originally posted September 11, 2017 and reposted September 17, 2021 with updated text.

About the Author

Welcome to AverieCooks! Here you’ll find fast and easy recipes that taste amazing and are geared for real life. Nothing fussy or complicated, just awesome tasting dishes everyone loves!

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Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

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Comments

  1. 2 stars
    I made this bread and unfortunately it only tastes like molasses.  Perhaps it was the wrong type of molasses, because the bread was quite dark and I cannot pick up on the pumpkin flavor.  I will try it again to use the rest of the can of pumpkin.  I am going to buy a different (lighter colored) molasses and consider reducing the amount of molasses. Thank you.

  2. I made this bread and unfortunately it only tastes like molasses.  Perhaps it was the wrong type of molasses, because the bread was quite dark and I cannot pick up on the pumpkin flavor.  I will try it again to use the rest of the can of pumpkin.  I am going to buy a different (lighter colored) molasses and consider reducing the amount of molasses. Thank you.

    1. Yes you probably used blackstrap or a very bold molasses. Use this one https://amzn.to/3SU2gas

      OR just omit it.

      There’s only 2 tablespoons in the whole batch so really it should not have turned the bread very dark or overpowered the taste that dramatically but just omit or reduce for next time.

  3. 5 stars
    This was a hit at Thanksgiving!  Vegan and non-vegan enjoyed it!  Did I mention that I put pecans on top? They got toasted and so, so good. 😊

  4. 5 stars
    Really, really good. I doubled the recipe so that I could use a whole can of pumpkin. Decreased the molasses by a Tbs since I’m not a huge fan of that flavor. The mini loaves were done in 30 min. Texture and flavor is fantastic! Hope my vegan guest at Thanksgiving likes it, too. 

  5. 5 stars
    Really, really good. I doubled the recipe so that I could use a whole can of pumpkin. Decreased the molasses by a Tbs since I’m not a huge fan of that flavor. The mini loaves were done in 30 min. Texture and flavor is fantastic! Hope my vegan guest at Thanksgiving likes it, too. 

      1. 5 stars
        This was a hit at Thanksgiving!  Vegan and non-vegan enjoyed it!  Did I mention that I put pecans on top? They got toasted and so, so good. 😊

  6. 3 stars
    Hi Averie,
    I made these today. You said to fill the 3 pans 2/3 full. My batter was not even half way up in the pan. I used the same pans you recommend. I also have hard edges. I will turn oven down to 375 and check them  at 25 minutes. 
    Thanks for any idea why I did not get  my pans at  least 2/3 full

    Gayle

  7. Hi Averie,
    I made these today. You said to fill the 3 pans 2/3 full. My batter was not even half way up in the pan. I used the same pans you recommend. I also have hard edges. I will turn oven down to 375 and check them  at 25 minutes. 
    Thanks for any idea why I did not get  my pans at  least 2/3 full

    Gayle

    1. It is really difficult to troubleshoot what happens in someone else’s kitchen, after the fact, since I wasn’t there. It sounds like your pans were bigger than mine. Or something was mis-measured.

      You would want to fill any baking pan about 2/3 (maybe 3/4) way full, the muffin principle. You need to leave space for expansion. But sounds like you didn’t fill them enough, based on what you’re describing. And/or that you spread the batter among one too many. Again, very hard to say. Use your instinct when filling your pans since they sound different than mine.

  8. 1 star
    I really wanted to like this bread. I adore everything pumpkin. I made exactly as directed. I honestly thought this bread was boring. Lacked flavor. Not a repeater for me