Craving a cozy fall bake? This cinnamon swirl pumpkin bread recipe is soft, moist, and bursting with warm spices. The sweet cinnamon sugar topping bakes into a crunchy crust that makes every slice irresistible. Perfect for Halloween gatherings, breakfast, or gifting.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Bread
Perfect for Halloween and Fall Gatherings
Pumpkin season isn’t complete without a homemade loaf. This bread feels festive on the table and makes mini loaves that are perfect for sharing or gifting. It’s the kind of recipe that fits right into Halloween parties or fall weekends at home.
Flavor and Texture of Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Bread
Each slice has a moist crumb with rich pumpkin flavor. The swirl of cinnamon sugar creates a crunchy topping while the inside stays soft and slightly dense. It’s that perfect balance of cozy spice and sweetness.
Easy to Make with Simple Ingredients
This bread comes together with pantry staples like flour, sugar, oil, and pumpkin. You don’t need a mixer, just a whisk and a bowl. In ten minutes, your loaf is ready for the oven, and soon your kitchen will smell like fall.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
Pumpkin and Pumpkin Pie Spice
Pure canned pumpkin gives deep flavor and a beautiful color. Pumpkin pie spice brings all the cozy notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Always stick with pure pumpkin, never pumpkin pie filling.
Sugars for Sweetness and Moisture
A blend of granulated sugar and brown sugar keeps the bread moist and tender. The brown sugar adds a caramel-like depth that pairs perfectly with pumpkin.
The Cinnamon Sugar Swirl
This topping makes the bread special. A generous sprinkle of cinnamon sugar gets swirled on top, baking into a sweet, crunchy crust.
Flour, Leaveners, and Salt
All-purpose flour builds structure while baking powder and a touch of baking soda provide lift. A pinch of salt balances out the sweetness.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Prep Your Oven and Pans
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease mini loaf pans or muffin tins and line with parchment to make removing them easy.
Mix the Wet Ingredients
Whisk the egg, both sugars, pumpkin, oil, and vanilla together until smooth. Make sure the mixture is fully blended before moving on.
Sift in the Dry Ingredients
Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin spice, and salt over the wet mixture. Stir gently until no streaks of flour remain.
Portion and Add Cinnamon Sugar Swirl
Divide the batter evenly into pans. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar generously on top and swirl lightly with a toothpick or knife.
Bake Until Golden and Set
Bake mini loaves for 28–30 minutes, or muffins for 20–23 minutes. The bread is ready when a toothpick comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
Cool, Slice, and Serve
Cool the loaves in the pan for 10–15 minutes. Lift them out and let them cool completely on a wire rack. Slice and enjoy.
Recipe Tips and Variations
Doubling for a Full-Sized Loaf
Double the recipe for a 9×5-inch loaf pan. It will take closer to 50 minutes to bake.
Muffin or Brownie Pan Options
This recipe makes 5–6 muffins or 5 mini loaves in a brownie pan. Both bake in just 20–23 minutes.
Adjusting Spice Levels
If you like a stronger spice kick, add an extra ½ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon.
Gluten-Free and Storage Notes
This recipe works well with gluten-free flour blends. Store at room temperature for up to 7 days, or freeze for up to 3 months wrapped tightly.
Serving Ideas and Pairings
With Coffee or Tea
A slice of this bread is the perfect match for your morning coffee or spiced chai.
For Gifting During Halloween Season
Wrap mini loaves in parchment and ribbon for thoughtful seasonal gifts.
As a Dessert or Breakfast Treat
Serve it plain for breakfast or add cream cheese for a sweet dessert-style snack.
FAQs About Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Bread
Do cinnamon and pumpkin go together?
Yes. Cinnamon enhances the natural sweetness of pumpkin and gives it warmth.
What’s the difference between a cinnamon bun and a cinnamon swirl?
A cinnamon bun is yeast-based, while a cinnamon swirl is a sugar topping baked into quick breads.
Does pumpkin bread have cinnamon?
Most pumpkin bread recipes use cinnamon or pumpkin spice for flavor depth.
What are common pumpkin bread mistakes?
Overmixing, using pumpkin pie filling instead of pure pumpkin, or overbaking can make bread dense or dry.
Conclusion
This cinnamon swirl pumpkin bread recipe is everything you want in a fall bake: moist, spiced, and topped with a sweet, crunchy swirl. It’s perfect for Halloween gatherings, holiday gifting, or cozy mornings with coffee. For more savory inspiration, try Maple Roasted Pumpkin with Chili and Feta. If you’d like more pumpkin treats, my Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Protein Muffins are another favorite, and a creamy Pumpkin Risotto makes a wonderful seasonal dinner. You can also find plenty of festive Halloween Recipes or browse the latest Recent Recipes for fresh ideas. For even more cozy bakes and seasonal cooking, follow me on Pinterest.
Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Bread
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mini loaf pans or muffin tin
- Toothpick or knife for swirling
- Wire rack
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- ½ cup pure canned pumpkin
- ¼ cup canola oil or neutral oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2-3 tablespoons cinnamon sugar (3/4 tsp cinnamon per 1 tbsp sugar)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease mini loaf pans and line with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together egg, sugars, pumpkin, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
- Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin spice, and salt into wet mixture. Stir until smooth.
- Divide batter evenly into pans. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top and swirl lightly.
- Bake 28–30 minutes for mini loaves, or 20–23 minutes for muffins. A toothpick should come out mostly clean.
- Cool in pan 10–15 minutes, then remove and cool fully on a wire rack.
