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Confession: I am a late bloomer when it comes to my love for pumpkin.
My mom doesn’t really like pumpkin, so the only encounters that I had with it before adulthood were in the form of store-bought pumpkin pies in those crinkly aluminum tins topped with a dollop of partially frozen cool whip. Not exactly the tastiest introduction!
A Favorite Pumpkin Treat
Maybe it was fate, but I discovered my love of baking around the same time that a certain coffee chain debuted pumpkin spice to the masses. The two things inevitably collided and a late love of pumpkin baked goods was born!
These days, I tend to prefer pumpkin cakes, cookies, and breads over custardy pumpkin treats (too many bad childhood memories!). This chocolate chip pumpkin bread is a favorite.
Moist Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
This is a super moist loaf with a bright orange, not-too-dense crumb. A sprinkle of mini chocolate chips in the batter creates a contrast between the sweet, tender crumb of the bread and almost bitter chocolate.
The barest hint of spice in the batter is amplified by the liberal coating of cinnamon sugar on top of the bread. This does double duty: it adds flavor and it turns into a crackly crust as the bread bakes (My tasters declared that as their favorite part.)
This bread keeps like a dream for at least a few days, wrapped well, on the countertop.
More Great Add-Ins for Pumpkin Bread
Try some of these other ideas instead of — or in addition to! — chocolate chips in your pumpkin bread:
- Toasted, chopped nuts — walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts
- Butterscotch chips or cinnamon chips
- Grated coconut — both mixed in and sprinkled over top
- Chopped, fresh apples
- Dried cranberries
Other Pumpkin Treats to Try!
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Ingredients
For the topping:
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the bread:
- 2 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup (244 g) pumpkin purée
- 1 1/4 cups (250 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) whole milk (2% is also fine)
- 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, plus more for topping
Special equipment:
Method
1 Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter or spray a 9-x-5-inch loaf pan.
2 Mix the topping: Whisk 3 tablespoons of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon together in a small bowl. Set aside
3 Mix the dry ingredients: Combine the flour, baking powder, kosher salt, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.
4 Make the batter: In a separate medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, sugar, eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the flour mixture and fold to combine. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
5 Transfer the batter into the loaf pan. Tap the pan a few times on the counter to remove air bubbles, then smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and more mini chocolate chips.
6 Bake the bread: Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan on a cooling rack for 20 minutes before removing and cooling completely.
Wrap up any leftovers with foil or plastic wrap and store on the counter. The bread will keep for several days.
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Cindy Rahe is the recipe maker and picture taker behind Hungry Girl por Vida. She loves to bake from scratch and make things that taste as good as they look. Cindy was born near Seoul but grew up in California and Nevada. She believes strongly in homemade birthday cakes, creamy coffee, and making room for dessert.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
Salted or unsalted butter??? Does it matter?
Hi, Lori! Use unsalted for this one! I’ve updated the recipe. Thanks!
I have a 4-pan mini-loaf pan and this recipe makes all 4 loaves. For mini-loaves I bake at 325 for 35 minutes. Cool, wrap each loaf in plastic wrap, then foil, then freeze. So delicious! Great for gift-giving.
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can i use rice flour instead of all purpose flour?
Hi, Gisele! I wouldn’t recommend rice flour, but I think that a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend would work well. We haven’t tested it ourselves with this recipe, but we’ve had good success substituting in other recipes with brands like Bob’s Red Mill’s gluten-free mix. Let us know how it works out!
I´ve tried and as the loaf disappeared so quickly, I had to bake another one. I froze accurate amount of pumpkin puree in the boxes so that I won´t have much work nextime. This recipe will stay among my favorites. TXS!
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So easy and delicious, my hubby likes this so much,thank you for this recipe Cindy
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