Mini Pumpkin Breads
Mini pumpkin breads are the best food holiday gifts. This easy quick bread recipe will make your kitchen smell amazing!
I have a group of marvelous friends in my book club. Each December, we exchange gifts. As you might imagine, my contribution is something homemade from my kitchen. This year, I baked up mini pumpkin loaves using my family’s favorite recipe.
Mini Pumpkin Bread
Dense, moist, and full of warm spices, this recipe is for a truly classic pumpkin bread. No chocolate chips or streusel needed (though I’ve shared those loaves, too). It’s wonderful just as it is! This is the same pumpkin bread that one of our neighbors would bring over every Christmas. We’d slather slices with butter and half the loaf would disappear in minutes. I’ve been making this same recipe for decades! If you don’t have a tried and true pumpkin bread recipe, make sure to pin this winner!
Festive Food Gifts – How to Wrap Holiday Breads
My blogger friend, Julie, shared her Sweet Orange Bread in small, inexpensive ceramic dishes from Michael’s (link in recipe). Hers were solid white, but since it’s November, most I spotted were covered with holiday designs. Preferring the plainest version available, I picked up a dozen in red, plus one white one with a Santa belt, the least obnoxious of the holiday designs. I will try to stock up on the white dishes in the off season. A little food-safe cellophane wrap, ribbon, and a gift tag make each one a festive, not to mention, delicious treat! I love splurging on these Felix Doolittle Chef Medallions to affix to my gift tags.
Tips for Making Perfect Quick Bread
Quick bread and muffins are super easy to make, but there are a few tips you should know before you start mixing.
- Make sure to prep your pans so the whole loaf comes out without sticking. I like using a flour-oil spray like Baker’s Joy, plus putting a greased rectangle of parchment on the bottom of each pan.
- Let the bread cool for 15 minutes before removing them to a cooling rack. Any longer and the bread can stick. For gifting, I then wash out the pan and add the loaf back when it is cool.
- Have your eggs and any refrigerated ingredients at room temperature before mixing. They will incorporate more easily if not cold.
- If you forget, add your eggs to a bowl of hot (not boiling, you don’t want to cook the eggs) water while you get the other ingredients ready. That will help take the chill off.
- PRO-Tip: Do not over mix or your bread can develop tunnels. If using a mixer, recommend the paddle attachment at a lower speed. Or just mix with a wooden spoon.
- After adding the dry ingredients, mix until they’re just incorporated. Give the bottom a good scrape with a rubber spatula to make sure the batter doesn’t have any flour pockets, then add to pans.
- Don’t overfill your pans. About 2/3 of the way up the sides is perfect. Note that there are many different sizes of mini loaf pans, so start checking to see if your bread is done early. Once you find the perfect baking time for your pans, make a note of it on the recipe for future batches.
- Start checking your bread about 5 minutes before the timer goes off. Or when you start to smell the delicious aroma of a baked loaf. All ovens bake differently, and you don’t want to over bake. Use a toothpick inserted in a few spots across the middle. If it comes out clean, the bread is done.
More Homemade Holiday Food Gifts
I love giving food gifts during the holidays. From quick bread to cookies to candy to homemade liqueurs, there are so many alternatives!
Make sure to check out my Food Gifts Pinterest Board for loads of ideas for holiday gifting!
More Quick Bread Recipes You’ll Love:
- Pumpkin Bread with Apples
- Cinnamon Crusted Pumpkin Bread
- Classic Banana Walnut Bread,
- Zucchini Bread
- Sour Cream Pear Bread
- Chocolate Chip Toffee Banana Bread
- Cranberry Orange Walnut Bread
- Southern Peach Bread
- More Bread Recipes
- More Food Gift Recipes
To make the mini pumpkin bread, you might like:
- KitchenAid 9-Speed Hand Mixer
- Le Creuset Medium Spatula, Cherry Red
- Non-Stick Mini Loaf Pans, Set of 4
Mini Pumpkin Bread
A classic pumpkin bread recipe that's always a hit. Make mini loaves for hostess or holiday gifts!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup pumpkin
- 1 3/4 cups flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/3 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º. Grease pans.
- Combine sugar and oil. Add rest of ingredients in order.
- First whisk in the eggs, then the pumpkin.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda and spices, then add them to the pumpkin mixture and mix just until combined. Do not over-mix.
- Stir in the water, then divide the batter between pans.
- Bake 35-40 minutes for small loaves. If you're using a full size loaf pan, start checking at about 60 minutes, but my heavy duty loaf pans usually take more like 75 minutes. Check the center of the loaf with a toothpick. It should come out clean after inserting when the loaf is done.
Notes
My mini ceramic pans measure 5 x 3 x 2 inches. You can find them at Michaels.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 315Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 365mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 1gSugar: 31gProtein: 4g
48 Comments on “Mini Pumpkin Breads”
I love the idea of having little mini pumpkin breads
I’m looking to make this for my kids’ teachers, so I’ll be making several! Can this recipe be doubled or tripled? Thanks so much!
Hi, Lisa! Yes, I often triple it to give each of my 3 kids one large loaf. What a nice treat for the teachers!!
I was looking for a recipe to use up my one cup of homemade pumpkin purée so decided to give this a try. Most recipes call for more. I was concerned it wouldn’t be a strong enough pumpkin flavor but it was so moist and flavorful, I am saving it for future repeats when I have more purée from fresh pumpkins. I was afraid the cup and a half of sugar would be too much but it was fine. I used 3/4 whole wheat flour and 1 cup ap flour. Definitely a keeper.
So glad you enjoyed!! I’ve been eating this same pumpkin bread recipe for decades!
Loved this! Made 3 batches to give away to friends on a special thanksgiving delivery! Mine, though, yielded 4 minis per recipe! I have received great reviews!
I’m so glad, Mindy! What a nice Thanksgiving gift. My grown kids adore this recipe, too. Thanks for letting me know and enjoy the holiday!!!
These are so fun for holiday gifting! I love giving and getting homemade food gifts!
I love making mini loaves over the holidays. They are the perfect gift for sharing with friends and family. I know these will be loved by all.
Made the darling pumpkin loaves1 These are easy to mix and bake, Thank you so very much for this, is AWESOME!
Taste delicious.
Have one question, are there any gift tags to print?
I wish I was crafty enough to create some gift tags for my readers. I bought the medallion stickers from a company called Felix Doolittle. Enjoy your holidays!!
How many small loaves does one recipe make? And..is it possible to add nuts or raisins into the bread!
I am a disabled man who gets quite bored..have taken up baking as a hobby. I find it most fulfilling and I can bake when I feel like it. I have become my Doctors favorite because I always arrive with baked goods in hand. This recipe is one I have been searching for. Thank you for posting it! And for sharing it with us all@!
Hi, Scott,
This recipe makes 5 mini loaves. It won’t use a whole can of pumpkin, just a cup (I had this question recently, too :)). I’m sure your doctor and staff just love you! Happy baking!
Can these be frozen and then placed in tin holiday pans for sharing?
Hi, Kathy! Definitely. These freeze well!
What size can of pumpkin? Help!!
Hi, Karen,
Use the smaller 15 ounce can of pumpkin, but you’ll only need one cup of it. The can holds just less than 2 cups. Enjoy!
Oh great, I see now it says cup. I thought it said can…..lol, thanks
Your presents look so pretty, Liz…love the little pans. So cute! You are beyond talented, my friend.
Mmm. Your pumpkin bread is a keeper =) Thank you!
I’m a little confused about the baking time. Is it 35 to 40 minutes for the mini pans and 75 minutes for the full size loaf?
Hi, Rosemary,
Yes, you’re exactly right. Sorry for the confusion. I’ve edited the recipe to try to make the baking times a little clearer. Thanks!!!
That baking dish is so cute! Great gift giving idea.
I love anything pumpkin and this bread looks delicious and that baking dish is adorable!
What beautiful homemade gifts, Liz! I love the santa loaf pan and those stickers really add a classy touch! Who wouldn’t want to be given one of these beauties? Just lovely!
I LOVE These! Such unbelievably great gifts!
homemade food gifts are always such a hit! and I just love that pan