Pumpkin Bread with Streusel Topping

Warm spices, a tender crumb, and that irresistible aroma filling your kitchen, this is comfort food at its best. Add a buttery streusel topping, and you’ve got a bakery-worthy loaf that’s perfect for breakfast, dessert, or sharing with friends over coffee.

Pumpkin bread with Streusel topping

This post may contain affiliate links, read our privacy policy.

Why You’ll Like This Recipe

  • Perfectly moist texture thanks to pumpkin puree and a touch of orange juice.
  • Warm fall spices with cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice in every bite.
  • Sweet streusel topping that adds crunch and extra flavor.
  • Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients.
  • Freezer-friendly so you can enjoy a slice of pumpkin bread anytime.

Ingredients & Success Tips

Pumpkin Bread Batter

  • Flour – the structure of the bread. Spoon and level for accuracy.
  • Baking soda – helps the bread rise.
  • Ground cinnamon + Pumpkin pie spice – cozy fall flavors.
  • Salt – balances sweetness.
  • Eggs – provide structure and richness.
  • Sugar + Brown sugar – sweetness and moisture.
  • Pumpkin puree – makes the bread moist and flavorful.
  • Vegetable oil – keeps the crumb tender.
  • Orange juice – brightens the flavor and complements pumpkin.

Streusel Topping

  • Sugar + Brown sugar – sweet, crunchy topping.
  • Butter – melts into the crumble for richness.
  • Flour – gives structure to the streusel.
  • Vanilla – adds depth of flavor.
  • Pumpkin pie spice + Salt – enhances the autumn flavor.

Success Tips:

  • Use room temperature eggs for better mixing.
  • Don’t overmix the batter, just stir until combined for a soft crumb.
  • Test doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center; it should come out mostly clean.
  • Let the bread cool fully before slicing to avoid a gummy texture.

All About Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Flour → Use a 1:1 gluten-free blend for a gluten-free pumpkin bread.
  • Vegetable oil → Melted coconut oil or canola oil works too.
  • Pumpkin puree → Homemade puree works, just be sure it’s thick and not watery.
  • Orange juice → Apple cider or milk can be substituted for a slightly different flavor.
  • Brown sugar → Swap with coconut sugar for a deeper, less refined sweetness.
  • Streusel topping → If you’d like, skip the streusel for a simple pumpkin loaf.

For more detailed swaps, check out my baking substitutions guide.

Variations to Add

  • Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread – fold 1 cup of chocolate chips into the batter.
  • Nutty Pumpkin Bread – add chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch.
  • Glazed Pumpkin Bread – drizzle with a simple vanilla glaze once cooled.
  • Cream Cheese Swirl Pumpkin Bread – swirl sweetened cream cheese into the batter before baking.

Storage Tips

  • Room Temperature: Wrap tightly and store for up to 3 days.
  • Refrigerator: Keeps fresh for up to 1 week.
  • Freezer: Slice, wrap individually, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm in the microwave for 20–30 seconds.

FAQ

Can I make this into muffins?

Yes! Divide batter into a lined muffin tin, bake at the same temperature for about 18–22 minutes.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely! This freezes beautifully, so baking two loaves is a great idea.

Why is my pumpkin bread dense?

Overmixing can make the bread heavy. Stir just until the flour disappears.

Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of puree?

No, pumpkin pie filling has added sugar and spices, which would throw off the recipe.

Does the streusel stay crunchy?

Yes, but to keep it fresh, store the bread loosely covered at room temperature.

This Pumpkin Bread with Streusel Topping is everything you love about fall baking: moist, spiced, and topped with a sweet buttery crumble. Whether you enjoy it warm from the oven or save a slice for later, it’s sure to become a seasonal favorite.

slice of pumpkin bread with Streusel Topping
Elizabeth

Pumpkin Bread with Streusel Topping

This Pumpkin Bread with Streusel Topping is the ultimate fall treat, moist, tender, and full of warm pumpkin spice flavor. The buttery streusel topping adds the perfect sweet crunch, making each slice irresistible. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or sharing at autumn gatherings!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Cooling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 10
Course: Breakfast

Ingredients
  

  • Pumpkin Bread
  • 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree not pumpking pie filling
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • Struesal Topping
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 5 TBSP butter
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Equipment

  • 1 mixing bowl
  • 1 measuring spoons and cups
  • 1 Spatula
  • 1 loaf pan

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
  2. Make streusel topping
  3. In a medium bowl, stir together the sugar, brown sugar, flour, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and vanilla, then mix with a fork until crumbly. Set aside.
  4. Mix dry ingredients
  5. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
  6. Mix wet ingredients
  7. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin purée, vegetable oil, and orange juice until smooth.
  8. Combine
  9. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir gently until just combined — do not overmix.
  10. Assemble
  11. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the batter.
  12. Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are okay).
  13. Cool
  14. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing, about 45 minutes.

More Baking Inspiration