Imagine a warmly spiced, deeply moist pumpkin loaf crowned with a generous, buttery streusel—that’s the magic of this Easy Streusel Pumpkin Bread. Each slice bursts with cozy fall flavors and a plush crumb, while the irresistible brown sugar topping offers just the right crunch. Whether you’re baking for breakfast, snack time, or a sweet dessert, this easy recipe is sure to become your go-to autumn treat. The best part? It only gets more flavorful as the days go by!

Easy Streusel Pumpkin Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients for Easy Streusel Pumpkin Bread is wonderfully straightforward, but every element has its own special job. These simple staples come together to create that rich, beautiful color, incredible tenderness, and of course, the signature spiced aroma.

Pumpkin puree: Delivers deep flavor and keeps the loaf incredibly moist—make sure to use pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
Vegetable oil: Adds essential richness and results in a softer, finer crumb than butter would.
Light brown sugar: Sweetens and infuses each bite with a subtle molasses warmth.
Granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and helps keep the texture light.
Eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to that satisfyingly plush crumb.
Baking powder & baking soda: Team up for the perfect lift and fluffiness.
Kosher salt: Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness beautifully.
Cinnamon: Yes, 5 teaspoons! This provides the bread’s bold, signature spice (not a typo, I promise!).
Nutmeg: Freshly grated nutmeg adds a fragrant, warming note—fresh is best if you have it on hand.
Ground ginger and cloves: These little additions elevate the spice blend and round out the flavor.
All-purpose flour: The foundation that gives structure and height to your bread.
Butter (for streusel): Melted butter creates those crisp and chunky streusel bits everyone loves.
Brown sugar (for streusel): Caramelizes atop the bread for irresistible crunch.
Flour and cinnamon (for streusel): Help bind and flavor the crumbly topping.
Salt (for streusel): A tiny touch is all you need to bring the streusel into balance.

How to Make Easy Streusel Pumpkin Bread

Step 1: Prepare the Streusel Topping

Start by making that show-stopping streusel! In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and kosher salt. Pour in the melted butter and gently stir until crumbly—you want big and small pieces for the best texture. Pop this mixture into the fridge to chill while you begin the pumpkin bread batter. A chilled streusel holds its shape and bakes up extra crunchy!

Step 2: Prep the Pan and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F to set the stage for a perfect bake. Generously grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan, then line it with a strip of parchment paper so it drapes over the long sides. This handy trick makes unmolding flawless, so you don’t lose a single crumb of your easy streusel pumpkin bread masterpiece.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and unified. Once everything is well-blended, add the eggs one at a time, whisking between each addition until the batter is glossy and fully combined. This step creates that plush, moist texture everyone raves about.

Step 4: Add the Spices and Leaveners

Sprinkle the baking powder, baking soda, and salt directly over your pumpkin base, mixing them in thoroughly. Next, add the cinnamon (yes, all 5 teaspoons—it truly makes the loaf!), nutmeg, ginger, and a pinch of ground cloves. Whisk everything together so no pockets of spice remain; you want those aromatic flavors in every bite.

Step 5: Fold in the Flour

Gently fold the all-purpose flour into the wet batter using a spatula. Stir just until incorporated—don’t overwork it, or the bread could turn out dense. This step is where the magic happens: the batter transforms into something vivid and thick, ready for the oven.

Step 6: Assemble and Bake

Spoon the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top. Scatter the chilled streusel generously over the batter; don’t be shy, use every last bit. Place the loaf pan on a baking sheet (in case there’s any overflow) and set it on the oven’s middle rack. Bake for 65–80 minutes, checking at the 65-minute mark. If the top gets too brown before the center is set, loosely cover with foil. You’ll know it’s done when a tester comes out clean or with just a few crumbs.

Step 7: Cool and Unmold

Allow the baked loaf to cool in the pan for about 10–15 minutes. Trim any overflow for a neat finish, then gently lift and transfer the bread to a wire rack to finish cooling completely. This patience pays off—the flavors of easy streusel pumpkin bread deepen as it rests.

How to Serve Easy Streusel Pumpkin Bread

Garnishes

Dress up each slice with a light dusting of powdered sugar, a scoop of whipped cream, or even a few toasted pecans for added richness and crunch. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, try a drizzle of warm caramel or maple glaze—that streusel crown soaks it up beautifully!

Side Dishes

Easy Streusel Pumpkin Bread plays well with a big mug of coffee or chai tea for a relaxing breakfast. For brunch, serve it alongside fresh fruit or a dollop of Greek yogurt—the tanginess balances the sweet, spiced loaf. It’s also delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream as a dessert!

Creative Ways to Present

Transform your easy streusel pumpkin bread into a memorable centerpiece by slicing thick slabs and arranging them on a wooden board with bowls of honey butter or cinnamon cream cheese spread. For a fun twist, cut the bread into cubes and serve as petite pumpkin bread bites on a holiday platter!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover easy streusel pumpkin bread as moist as ever by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or storing in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay soft and flavorful for up to four days—and honestly, the pumpkin and spice deepen in the best way after a day or two!

Freezing

If you’d like to save some for later, simply let the loaf cool completely, then wrap it tightly in foil and then plastic wrap. Freeze the whole loaf, or individual slices for grab-and-go treats. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw slices on the counter or in the fridge overnight for the perfect quick snack.

Reheating

Warm up chilled or thawed slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to bring back their just-baked softness. For an extra treat, toast slices gently in a toaster oven—a slight crisp on the streusel is delightful with each bite (and it’ll fill your kitchen with autumn aromas all over again!).

FAQs

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?

Absolutely! Just be sure to roast, puree, and drain your fresh pumpkin thoroughly so it’s not watery. The flavor might be a bit more subtle, but your easy streusel pumpkin bread will still turn out beautifully moist.

What can I substitute for vegetable oil?

You can swap in melted coconut oil or light olive oil for a similar result. If you want a little extra richness, try using melted butter, though the crumb may become a touch more dense.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Exchange the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The bread’s texture will change slightly, but the flavors will still shine through.

Why does this recipe use so much cinnamon?

Five teaspoons of cinnamon give this bread a bold, warm flavor and wonderful fragrance. Don’t worry—it won’t be overpowering, just perfectly spiced. It’s what sets this easy streusel pumpkin bread apart!

Is it possible to make muffins instead of a loaf?

Definitely! Divide the batter among greased muffin cups, sprinkle with streusel, and bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. The muffins are just as moist and warmly spiced as the loaf.

Final Thoughts

If you’re yearning for something cozy, simple, and bursting with fall flavor, I can’t recommend this Easy Streusel Pumpkin Bread enough. It’s as easy to make as it is to devour, and your kitchen will smell incredible. Give it a try soon—you just might find yourself baking it all season long!