This pumpkin gingerbread recipe is all the rage! It’s surprisingly easy to make at home, and you can tweak the spices however you like. Plus, it’s way more flavorful than buying store-bought versions that are loaded with preservatives.
Love holiday loaf recipes? Try this incredible fusion that combines the best of both worlds – the warm spices of traditional gingerbread with the moist richness of pumpkin bread. This gingerbread pumpkin creation has become my go-to for pumpkin christmas celebrations!
Cuisine: American
Category: Dessert/Bread
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55-65 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Serves: 12 slices
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
This pumpkin gingerbread cake style loaf is perfect for make-ahead holiday baking and gift-giving!
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Gingerbread
- Save time during busy holidays by making this instead of separate gingerbread and pumpkin treats! You can easily make this pumpkin gingerbread at home, and it tastes just as festive as any bakery version.
- It’s moist, spiced, and loaded with bold molasses and pumpkin flavors that create the perfect holiday combination.
- Plus, you control the ingredients, so no mystery additives or artificial flavors in your pumpkin christmas dessert!
This gingerbread loaf recipe moist approach creates the most incredible texture that stays fresh for days. The combination of pumpkin puree and molasses ensures every slice is perfectly tender and flavorful.
INGREDIENTS
Dry Ingredients:
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (secret ingredient!)
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup pure pumpkin puree
- ½ cup molasses (not blackstrap)
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ¼ cup hot water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of ground ginger
Did You Know You Can Make Your Own Pumpkin Puree?
- Roast a sugar pumpkin at 400°F until tender, then scoop and puree until smooth! Or you can buy canned puree for convenience.
PREPARATION
- Preheat and prepare: Set your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Line with parchment paper for easy removal. This creates the perfect environment for your gingerbread pumpkin loaf to bake evenly.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, salt, and black pepper. The black pepper adds incredible depth to this pumpkin gingerbread – don’t skip it!
- Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, molasses, brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, eggs, hot water, and vanilla until completely smooth. The hot water helps bloom the spices and creates amazing flavor in your holiday loaf recipes.
- Create the batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold together until just combined. Don’t overmix – this ensures your gingerbread loaf recipe moist texture stays tender.
- Bake to perfection: Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool completely: Let the pumpkin gingerbread cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
- Make the glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and ground ginger until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled loaf for the perfect finishing touch.
- Slice and serve: Cut with a sharp knife and enjoy this incredible pumpkin christmas dessert that combines the best flavors of the season!
Recipe Success Tips
The secret to incredible pumpkin gingerbread lies in the spice balance and moisture content. Don’t skip the black pepper – it adds warmth without heat and makes all the other spices pop. Use fresh spices if possible, as they make a huge difference in flavor intensity.
The combination of molasses and pumpkin creates incredible moisture, but make sure your molasses isn’t blackstrap – it’s too bitter for this gingerbread pumpkin recipe. Regular or mild molasses works perfectly.
For the best gingerbread loaf recipe moist results, don’t overbake! The loaf is done when a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Overbaking will dry out all that beautiful moisture from the pumpkin.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
- 245 calories per slice
- 4g protein per slice
- 42g carbs per slice
- 7g fat per slice
- 2g fiber per slice
This pumpkin christmas treat provides comfort food satisfaction while delivering some nutritional benefits from the pumpkin. Perfect for holiday indulgence that doesn’t completely derail healthy eating goals.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Keep your pumpkin gingerbread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. This makes it perfect for amish pumpkin recipes style meal planning.
Make-ahead strategy: This holiday loaf recipes option actually improves in flavor after a day! The spices meld together beautifully, creating even more complex flavors. Bake 1-2 days before serving for best results.
Gift-giving tip: Wrap cooled, unglazed loaves in plastic wrap, then decorative paper for beautiful pumpkin christmas dessert gifts that keep well.
More Variations
Add-ins: Mix in ½ cup mini chocolate chips, chopped crystallized ginger, or toasted pecans to the batter for extra texture and flavor. These additions make your pumpkin baking ideas even more special.
Different shapes: This pumpkin gingerbread cake batter works beautifully in:
- Mini loaf pans (bake 35-40 minutes)
- Muffin tins (bake 18-22 minutes)
- Bundt pan (bake 45-55 minutes)
Spice variations: Adjust the ginger, cinnamon, and cloves to your taste. Some prefer more ginger for extra bite, while others like more cinnamon for warmth.
Glaze options: Try cream cheese frosting, maple glaze, or even a simple dusting of powdered sugar for different presentations of your gingerbread pumpkin creation.
Perfect for Holiday Entertaining
This pumpkin gingerbread makes an exceptional centerpiece for holiday dessert tables. The beautiful color and incredible aroma make it a conversation starter, while the familiar yet unique flavors please everyone from kids to grandparents.
For pumpkin christmas parties, slice and arrange on a platter with other seasonal treats. The contrast of flavors and textures creates a beautiful spread that photographs beautifully for social media too!
Serving suggestions: Pair with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a cup of hot spiced cider for the ultimate holiday loaf recipes experience.
Why This Recipe Works So Well
The genius of this gingerbread loaf recipe moist approach is how the pumpkin and molasses complement each other. Pumpkin adds natural sweetness and incredible moisture, while molasses provides that signature gingerbread depth and color.
Unlike traditional gingerbread that can be dense or dry, the pumpkin ensures this pumpkin gingerbread cake stays tender and moist for days. It’s the best of both classic flavors in one perfect loaf!
Amish-Inspired Simplicity
This recipe captures the essence of amish pumpkin recipes with its straightforward approach and pantry-staple ingredients. No fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients – just simple, wholesome baking that delivers incredible results.
The one-bowl method makes it accessible for bakers of all skill levels, while the complex flavor profile makes it seem much more sophisticated than the simple preparation suggests.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I substitute the molasses with something else?
While molasses is essential for authentic gingerbread flavor, you can substitute with ¼ cup honey plus ¼ cup brown sugar if needed. The flavor will be different but still delicious for your pumpkin baking ideas.
How do I know when this gingerbread is properly done?
The pumpkin gingerbread is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs and the top springs back lightly when touched. Internal temperature should reach 200-205°F.
Can I make this into bars instead?
Absolutely! Pour the batter into a greased 9×13 pan and bake for 25-30 minutes. This creates delicious pumpkin gingerbread bars that are perfect for crowds and potlucks.
Why does this recipe include black pepper?
The small amount of black pepper enhances all the other spices without adding heat. It’s a traditional gingerbread ingredient that adds complexity and warmth to your gingerbread pumpkin creation.
Can I double this recipe for gift-giving?
Yes! This holiday loaf recipes option doubles beautifully. Use multiple loaf pans or divide between different sized pans for a variety of pumpkin christmas dessert gifts.
The Ultimate Holiday Fusion
Making your own pumpkin gingerbread is easier (and more delicious) than you’d think! With that perfect spice blend, incredible moisture from the pumpkin, and rich molasses flavor, this loaf hits all the right notes when you take a bite. If you’ve been looking for the perfect pumpkin christmas dessert that’s both familiar and exciting, give this recipe a shot!
The combination of traditional gingerbread spices with the natural sweetness and moisture of pumpkin creates something truly special. It’s become my go-to for holiday baking because it feels both nostalgic and fresh at the same time.
Tried a fun variation? Drop a comment, I’d love to hear what you experimented with! This gingerbread loaf recipe moist approach is so versatile and perfect for customizing to your family’s taste preferences.
Share Your Holiday Baking Success!
I absolutely love seeing how this pumpkin gingerbread turns out in your kitchen! Share your photos on my Facebook page – I love seeing your beautiful results and any creative variations you try.
Tag me @OlyviaBestRecipes on Pinterest when you make this holiday loaf recipes masterpiece! Your feedback helps other bakers discover amazing pumpkin baking ideas that actually deliver on both flavor and presentation.
Follow me on Facebook for more incredible pumpkin christmas dessert ideas and seasonal treats that make your holiday baking both traditional and exciting!
Author: Olyvia T.
Meta Title: Pumpkin Gingerbread Recipe – Perfect Holiday Fusion Loaf!
Meta Description: This pumpkin gingerbread combines the best of both worlds – moist pumpkin bread with warming gingerbread spices. Perfect holiday loaf recipe that’s easy to make!
Image Requirements:
Main Image ALT Text: “Pumpkin Gingerbread – Moist holiday loaf with perfect spice blend and pumpkin flavor”
Step Images ALT Text:
- “Pumpkin Gingerbread – Step 1: Mixing dry spices and flour ingredients”
- “Pumpkin Gingerbread – Step 2: Combining wet ingredients with pumpkin and molasses”
- “Pumpkin Gingerbread – Step 3: Folding batter together until just combined”
- “Pumpkin Gingerbread – Step 4: Finished loaf with glaze drizzle”
Final Image ALT Text: “Pumpkin Gingerbread – Final Result showing perfectly sliced holiday loaf”
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- pumpkin-gingerbread-final-sliced-holiday-result.jpg
