✔ Updated · fall baking update, plus the pumpkin loaf question
This copycat Starbucks pumpkin bread is moist, tender and full of warm spice, with crunchy pepitas on top. It's my Starbucks pumpkin loaf recipe from the first cool weekend of fall: one bowl, one whisk, and the whole kitchen smells amazing while it bakes.
How Do You Make Starbucks Pumpkin Bread? (Quick Answer)
To make copycat Starbucks pumpkin bread, whisk pumpkin puree, sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla in one bowl, then fold in flour, baking soda, a little baking powder, salt, pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon. Pour into a lined 9×5-inch pan, top with pepitas and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 60 to 70 minutes. Cool completely before slicing.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Let the loaf cool completely before slicing, ideally overnight wrapped on the counter. The crumb gets even moister and the spice flavor deepens by the next morning.
Why You'll Love This Pumpkin Bread
- One bowl, one whisk, and no mixer to wash.
- Super moist thanks to oil and plenty of pumpkin.
- Bakery-style pepita top that stays crunchy.
- Better the next day, so it is perfect for making ahead.
- Freezes beautifully, whole or sliced.
Ingredient Notes
Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.
- Pumpkin puree: plain canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Oil: keeps the loaf soft and moist, even straight from the fridge.
- Pumpkin pie spice: a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. A little extra cinnamon rounds it out.
- Baking soda plus a pinch of baking powder: a gentle rise and a nicely domed top.
- Pepitas: green pumpkin seeds give the signature crunchy top.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Measure the flour lightly. Spoon it into the cup and level it, or weigh 210 g. Packed flour is the number one reason pumpkin bread turns dry.
- Use a parchment sling. Pumpkin bread is tender and likes to stick. Two strips of parchment let you lift it straight out.
- Tent it if needed. My oven browns loaves fast, so I lay a sheet of foil loosely over the top after 45 minutes. The middle finishes without a dark crust.
- Check the center. A toothpick in the middle should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter. Ovens vary, so start checking at 60 minutes.
- Wait to slice. I know, it smells amazing. A warm loaf crumbles; a cool one slices cleanly.
- Make it a muffin morning. The same batter bakes into 12 muffins at 350°F for 22 to 25 minutes.
A light-colored 9×5 pan keeps the crust from going dark; see the ones I recommend for quick breads.
Baking for a brunch crowd? Set out a plate of my copycat Starbucks pumpkin scones next to the loaf, with their white glaze and spiced icing stripes.
Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Bread
10
slices15
minutes1
hour5
minutes310
kcal1
hour20
minutesA copycat pumpkin loaf inspired by Starbucks: moist and tender, warmly spiced with pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon, and topped with roasted pepitas. Made in one bowl with a whisk. Makes one 9×5-inch loaf, 10 slices.
Ingredients
- For the Pumpkin Bread
1 1/4 cups pumpkin puree, not pie filling (300 g)
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar (250 g)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour (210 g)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- For the Topping
1/4 cup roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
Directions
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with a parchment sling.
- In a large bowl, whisk the pumpkin, sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla until smooth and glossy.
- Sprinkle the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon over the top. Whisk them together lightly in the top layer, then fold everything with a spatula just until no flour shows.
- Scrape the batter into the pan, smooth the top and scatter the pepitas over it.
- Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, until a toothpick in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If the top browns too fast, tent it with foil after 45 minutes.
- Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then lift it out and cool completely on a rack before slicing.
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Loaf, Muffins or Mini Loaves
Same batter, different pans. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean.
| Pan | Oven | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 9×5-inch loaf | 350°F (175°C) | 60 to 70 min |
| 8×4-inch loaf | 350°F (175°C) | 65 to 75 min |
| 3 mini loaves | 350°F (175°C) | 35 to 40 min |
| 12 muffins | 350°F (175°C) | 22 to 25 min |
More Starbucks Bakery Copycats
If you love this, try my copycat Starbucks pumpkin cream cheese muffins, plus the Starbucks banana bread and lemon loaf. Browse all our Starbucks copycat recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in Starbucks pumpkin bread?
It is a moist, spiced pumpkin loaf topped with pepitas (pumpkin seeds). This copycat uses pumpkin puree, sugar, oil, eggs, flour, pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon, with roasted pepitas on top.
Why is my pumpkin bread dense or gummy?
Usually it is underbaked or overmixed. Fold the flour in only until it disappears, and bake until a toothpick in the very center comes out clean or with moist crumbs. Let it cool completely before slicing.
Can I use fresh pumpkin?
Yes. Roast and puree it, then drain it in a sieve for 30 minutes. Fresh puree is wetter than canned and can make the loaf heavy if you skip draining.
How do I store pumpkin bread?
Wrap the cooled loaf tightly and keep it at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for up to a week. It freezes well for up to 3 months; slice it first so you can grab one piece at a time.
Can I add chocolate chips or nuts?
Yes. Fold in up to 3/4 cup chocolate chips, chopped walnuts or pecans with the last few turns of the spatula. Keep the pepitas on top for that bakery look.
Is Starbucks pumpkin bread the same as the pumpkin loaf?
Yes. People use both names for the same treat: a moist, spiced loaf with a pepita top. Menu names can vary by year and location, so look for either one in the app. Either way, this is the recipe I bake at home.
Is this the official Starbucks recipe?
No. It is a copycat recipe inspired by the Starbucks pumpkin bread, made in my home kitchen. Starbucks does not publish its bakery recipes.
