If there’s one thing that makes fall baking irresistible, it’s the combination of pumpkin and warm spices wrapped in a soft, moist loaf. This pumpkin streusel bread takes that classic comfort and elevates it with a buttery, cinnamon-laced streusel topping that adds both flavor and texture. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to keep in your back pocket all season long.
I first made this bread on a chilly October morning when the air smelled faintly of woodsmoke and my counter was covered in cans of pumpkin puree. I wanted something that felt like a cross between a cozy quick bread and a bakery-style treat. The result? A tender pumpkin bread crowned with a sweet, crumbly streusel that stays crisp even after a day or two — perfect for breakfast, snacks, or gifting.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Streusel Bread
The perfect balance of flavors
The bread itself is moist and tender thanks to pumpkin puree and vegetable oil, while the streusel topping adds a crunchy, buttery contrast. A generous amount of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger ensures every bite feels like autumn.
A showstopper for gatherings
Whether it’s a brunch spread, a bake sale, or just a cozy weekend bake, this loaf has that “wow” factor. The golden-brown streusel topping not only looks bakery-worthy but also fills your kitchen with an incredible aroma.
Customizable and forgiving
Want a nuttier bite? Toss chopped pecans or walnuts into the streusel. Craving extra spice? Add a pinch of cardamom or cloves. This recipe works as a single loaf or can be doubled for multiple pans, just like my carrot apple zucchini bread.
Print
Pumpkin Streusel Bread – Moist, Spiced, and Perfectly Crumbly
Moist and spiced pumpkin streusel bread with a buttery crumb topping, perfect for fall mornings or gifting.
- Total Time: 90 mins
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
Ingredients
For the Streusel:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (65g)
6 tbsp brown sugar (80g)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (57g)
For the Pumpkin Bread:
15 oz can pumpkin puree
3/4 cup vegetable oil (150g)
1 cup light brown sugar (213g)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
2 large eggs (100g)
1.5 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp kosher salt
5 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground ginger
Pinch ground cloves
2 cups all-purpose flour (260g)
Instructions
1. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in melted butter until crumbly. Chill.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9×5 loaf pan.
3. In a large bowl, whisk pumpkin puree, oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and eggs until smooth.
4. Whisk in baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
5. Fold in flour until just combined.
6. Pour batter into pan, sprinkle streusel evenly over the top.
7. Bake 65–80 minutes, tenting with foil if needed. Cool 10–15 minutes before removing from pan.
Notes
Add nuts or chocolate chips for variation.
Store at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 75 mins
- Category: Breads, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Step-by-Step Instructions for Pumpkin Streusel Bread
1. Prepare the streusel topping
Start by making the streusel so it’s ready to go when your batter is done. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and stir just until the mixture comes together in small, crumbly clumps. Don’t overmix — you want those buttery nuggets that will crisp up beautifully in the oven. Place the bowl in the fridge while you make the bread batter to keep the topping firm.
2. Mix the wet ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and eggs. Each ingredient plays a role here: the oil gives moisture, the pumpkin adds tenderness, and the mix of sugars brings both sweetness and depth of flavor. Make sure the eggs are fully incorporated before moving on — this will help ensure your pumpkin streusel bread bakes evenly.
3. Add the leavening and spices
Sprinkle the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves over the pumpkin mixture. Whisk thoroughly so the leaveners are evenly distributed; this avoids any pockets of baking soda that could affect the flavor. This is also the step where your kitchen starts to smell like fall.
4. Fold in the flour
Switch to a spatula and gently fold in the flour until no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix — this can make your bread dense instead of tender. The batter will be thick but smooth, with that signature pumpkin-orange hue.
5. Assemble the loaf
Pour the batter into your greased and parchment-lined loaf pan, smoothing out the top. Sprinkle the chilled streusel evenly over the batter, covering every bit of the surface. This ensures each slice of pumpkin streusel bread gets that irresistible crunch.
6. Bake to perfection
Place the loaf on the middle rack of your preheated oven, setting the pan on a baking sheet in case of overflow. Bake for 65–80 minutes, checking at the 65-minute mark with a toothpick. A few moist crumbs are fine, but there should be no wet batter. If the top browns too quickly, loosely tent with foil for the remaining bake time.
7. Cool and serve
Let the loaf cool in the pan for about 10–15 minutes before lifting it out using the parchment overhang. This short rest allows the streusel to firm up and makes slicing cleaner. Serve warm or at room temperature, and store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Tips, Variations, and Serving Ideas for Pumpkin Streusel Bread
Choose the right pumpkin
For the best flavor and texture, use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Pie filling already contains sugar and spices, which will throw off the balance of this recipe. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even roast your own pumpkin and puree it for a more natural, slightly earthier flavor.
Keep your streusel crunchy
The key to that perfect crunchy topping is chilling the streusel before sprinkling it over the batter. The cold butter solidifies, which means it melts more slowly during baking, preserving those crisp little clusters.
Add mix-ins for extra flavor
This pumpkin streusel bread is a blank canvas for seasonal add-ins. Try folding in chocolate chips for a dessert-like loaf, or add dried cranberries and chopped pecans for a holiday-ready version. Just keep mix-ins under one cup total to avoid weighing down the batter.
Make it a breakfast star
Thick slices of this bread make an incredible breakfast when warmed slightly and served with a smear of cream cheese or a drizzle of maple syrup. It pairs beautifully with hot coffee or a chai latte. If you like the idea of cozy mornings, this loaf can sit proudly next to other seasonal favorites like spiced quick breads and hearty muffins.
Turn it into mini loaves or muffins
If you don’t have a loaf pan or you want to make this recipe more giftable, divide the batter between mini loaf pans or muffin tins. Just reduce the baking time to about 20–25 minutes for muffins and 35–40 minutes for mini loaves.
Serving suggestions
For a festive spread, serve slices of pumpkin streusel bread alongside fresh fruit, whipped cream, or even a cinnamon honey butter. The sweet and spiced flavors complement savory brunch items beautifully.
FAQs About Pumpkin Streusel Bread
What is the difference between a streusel and a crumble?
Streusel is a crumbly topping made with flour, butter, sugar, and sometimes spices. It’s typically more fine-textured and buttery than a crumble, which often has larger chunks and may include oats. In pumpkin streusel bread, the streusel is delicate enough to break apart easily when sliced but still provides a crisp bite.
What is the topping on pumpkin bread for streusel?
The topping is a simple mix of flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and melted butter. It bakes into a golden, crunchy layer that contrasts beautifully with the soft pumpkin loaf underneath.
Why is my pumpkin bread not fluffy?
A dense loaf is usually the result of overmixing the batter, which develops too much gluten. To keep your pumpkin streusel bread light and fluffy, gently fold the flour into the wet ingredients until just combined. Also, make sure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh.
What defines a streusel?
Streusel is defined by its crumbly texture and sweet, buttery flavor. It’s not just for bread — it’s also common on muffins, coffee cakes, and fruit crisps. In this recipe, it adds both flavor and visual appeal, turning a simple loaf into a bakery-worthy treat.
Conclusion
This pumpkin streusel bread is everything you want in a fall bake: tender, moist, and perfectly spiced, with a sweet crumbly topping that makes each slice feel indulgent. It’s versatile enough to serve at brunch, give as a homemade gift, or enjoy as a cozy afternoon snack.
From the ease of mixing the batter in one bowl to the satisfying crunch of the streusel topping, this is a recipe you’ll want to revisit every pumpkin season. Keep it classic, or make it your own with nuts, chocolate, or dried fruit — either way, it’s a loaf that never disappoints.
For More recipes Follow me on Facebook!
