This Brown Butter Maple-Glazed Pumpkin Bread is a warm and cozy treat! With rich brown butter and sweet maple glaze, it’s bursting with pumpkin flavor and spices.
Honestly, it makes your kitchen smell amazing while baking! I love slicing it up for breakfast or a snack, especially with a cup of coffee. You won’t be able to resist its deliciousness!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Unsalted Butter: Brown butter adds nutty flavor to the bread. If you want to lighten it up, you can substitute with coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative, but the taste will be different.
Pumpkin Puree: Canned pumpkin is easiest, but you can use homemade pumpkin puree if you’re up for roasting a pumpkin. Just make sure it’s pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling!
Yogurt/Sour Cream: This adds moisture to the bread. If you’re dairy-free, try using almond yogurt or applesauce. Both will keep the bread moist!
Baking Spices: The cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves really make this bread flavorful! Feel free to adjust or skip what you don’t have; just cinnamon is fine, or add in some allspice if you like.
How Do I Brown Butter Without Burning It?
Browning butter is a great technique, but it can easily go wrong. Here’s a simple way to do it:
- Use a light-colored saucepan so you can see the butter change color.
- Heat on medium heat and keep an eye on it; it can go from perfect to burnt quickly.
- Once it starts to foam, swirl it occasionally. After about 5-7 minutes, it will turn golden brown and have a nutty aroma.
- Remove it from the heat quickly! Let it cool slightly before using in your recipe.
This step adds so much flavor to your pumpkin bread, so don’t rush it!
Brown Butter Maple-Glazed Pumpkin Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Bread:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (preferably canned)
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Maple Glaze:
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious pumpkin bread will take about 15 minutes of prep time and 55-65 minutes of baking. After that, let it cool for 15 minutes in the pan and then cool completely before glazing. Overall, expect about an hour and a half from start to finish!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan by greasing and flouring it or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
2. Brown the Butter:
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue to cook and swirl the butter occasionally until it turns golden brown and gives off a nutty aroma, taking about 5-7 minutes. Make sure to keep an eye on it to prevent burning! Once ready, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and all the spices: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Whisk them together to ensure they are well mixed.
4. Combine Sugars and Browned Butter:
In a large bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and the cooled browned butter. Stir until it’s smooth and well combined.
5. Add Wet Ingredients:
Add the eggs to the mixture, one at a time, and mix until fully incorporated. Next, fold in the pumpkin puree, yogurt (or sour cream), and vanilla extract until everything is mixed properly.
6. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, folding gently with a spatula. Be careful not to overmix; just mix until no dry flour remains.
7. Bake the Bread:
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 55-65 minutes. To test if it’s done, insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean.
8. Cooling Time:
Once baked, allow the bread to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Let it cool completely before glazing.
9. Prepare the Maple Glaze:
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the maple syrup and butter. Stir until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth. Then, remove it from the heat.
10. Finish the Glaze:
Whisk in the powdered sugar until you achieve a smooth and pourable glaze consistency.
11. Glaze the Bread:
Drizzle the maple glaze over the top of the cooled pumpkin bread, allowing it to drip down the sides for a beautiful finish.
12. Serve and Enjoy:
Let the glaze set for a few minutes before slicing the bread. Now, enjoy your delicious, moist, spiced pumpkin bread with rich brown butter flavor and sweet maple glaze!
Happy baking!
Can I Use Unsweetened Applesauce Instead of Butter?
Yes, you can substitute unsweetened applesauce for the unsalted butter to make the bread healthier. Use a 1:1 ratio, but the texture will be a little different—less rich and more moist.
How Can I Tell When the Pumpkin Bread is Done Baking?
Insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center of the bread. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the bread is done. If it has wet batter on it, bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.
Can I Freeze the Pumpkin Bread?
Absolutely! After cooling, wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
What Can I Use Instead of Pumpkin Puree?
If you don’t have pumpkin puree, you can use canned butternut squash or sweet potato puree as a substitute. Both will bring a similar flavor and texture to the bread!
