Homemade Pumpkin Bread – Soft Yeasted Loaf

loaf of pumpkin bread on cutting board with decorative pumpkins near it

Equipment

3 9 x 5 Loaf Pans or one 9x13 pan
Silicon Pastry Brush
Rollin Pin

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups of pure pumpkin puree (canned) 400 grams
2 cups whole milk, lukewarm 500ml
2 large eggs
1 ½ tablespoon instant yeast 15g
2 tablespoons oil 30ml
2 tablespoons white granulated sugar 25g
2 tablespoons butter 28g
1 ½ tablespoon salt 15g
4 ¼ cups 1.3kg all-purpose flour (add gradually, not all at once) you might need a little more or a little less flour, see notes.

Egg Wash

1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon brewed coffee (or just dissolve instant coffee with a little water and use that instead)
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon oil

Instructions

In your largest bowl, combine the pumpkin purée, eggs, yeast, oil, sugar, and butter. Stir everything together until well blended. Cover and let the mixture rest for about 15 minutes, or longer until it looks frothy and has risen slightly.
1 1/2 cups of pure pumpkin puree (canned), 2 cups whole milk, lukewarm, 2 large eggs, 1 ½ tablespoon instant yeast, 2 tablespoons oil, 2 tablespoons white granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons butter
After the rest period, add the salt to the mixture. Begin adding the flour gradually, mixing as you go. You’re looking for a dough that is soft and no longer sticks to your hands. Stop adding flour when the dough reaches this perfect texture.
1 ½ tablespoon salt, 4 ¼ cups 1.3kg all-purpose flour (add gradually, not all at once)
After adding the flour and mixing, knead the dough for 15 minutes nonstop until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest in a warm place for about one to two hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release some of the air. Divide the dough into three equal parts. Using a rolling pin, Roll each part into a rectangle, then roll them up into loaf shapes. Place the shaped loaves into a greased 9x5-inch baking pan, leaving some space between them. Cover them again with plastic wrap and let them rise for another 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
To make the egg wash, simply whisk together the egg yolk, coffee, milk, and oil until well combined.
1 egg yolk, 1 tablespoon brewed coffee, 1 tablespoon milk, 1 teaspoon oil
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Before popping the loaves into the oven, brush them with the egg wash to get that beautiful golden crust. Bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 190°F (88°C).
Let the loaves cool on a rack before slicing. I know it’s hard to resist, but this step is crucial to avoid a gummy texture. The bread will continue to cook as it cools, ensuring a perfect crumb.

Video

Notes

Yeast: You can use instant yeast or substitute with active dry yeast — just note that the rising times will double (or even a bit more) when using active dry.
Flour: Add flour gradually until the dough feels soft and slightly tacky but no longer sticks to your hands. Too much flour can make the rolls dense.
Pumpkin Purée: Make sure to use pure pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling. If yours is very wet, you may need a touch more flour to balance the dough.
Shaping the Rolls: Shape each piece into a smooth ball by tucking the edges underneath and rolling it gently on your counter. They don’t have to be perfect — once baked, they puff up beautifully.
Pan Size: You can use any pan — square, rectangular, or round. Just leave a bit of space between each roll (like in the video) because they’ll double in size as they rise. I usually either:
- Use three standard loaf pans, dividing the dough into three equal parts, or
- Use one 9×13 pan, dividing the dough in two and placing the loaves side by side.
Egg Wash: Make it by whisking 1 egg with 1 tablespoon of milk. Brush over rolls before baking for a shiny, golden crust.

Nutrition Disclaimer: I’m not a nutritionist. Calorie counts are estimates only. For personalized nutrition advice, please consult a qualified health professional.