The Secret To Making Pumpkin Bread in Cast Iron Moist and Flavorful

When the crisp air of fall starts rolling in, there’s nothing like the comforting smell of pumpkin bread drifting through the house.

This recipe has all the spices you love in a classic pumpkin bread but with a twist – it’s baked in a cast iron loaf pan for that perfect golden crust.

Not only does baking in cast iron give your pumpkin bread a beautiful texture, but it also ensures even baking and adds a rustic touch that just feels right.

So grab your cast iron loaf pan and some canned pumpkin, and let’s dive into this delicious fall tradition that’ll have your kitchen smelling like your favorite bakery in minutes.

Why Bake Pumpkin Bread in Cast Iron?

If you’ve never tried baking in cast iron, you’re missing out! Cast iron retains heat incredibly well, giving your pumpkin bread an even bake with a slightly crispy outside while keeping the inside soft and moist. Plus, it’s durable and naturally non-stick when seasoned properly – it’s a baker’s best friend.

And let’s be real for a minute: food just looks better when pulled out of a cast iron pan, especially when you’re serving it to family and friends.

Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup canned pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ⅓ cup milk (whole or 2%)
• Optional: ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts for some extra texture

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your cast iron loaf pan and set it aside.
2. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. This step ensures the spices are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the pumpkin purée, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil (or melted butter), eggs, vanilla extract, and milk. Stir until smooth and creamy.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make your bread dense instead of tender.
5. If you’re adding nuts, fold them in now. They give a nice crunch that pairs well with the soft, spiced bread.
6. Pour the batter into your greased cast iron loaf pan, spreading it evenly.
7. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remember, cast iron retains heat, so keep an eye on the bread in the final minutes.
8. Cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer the bread to a wire rack to finish cooling. This helps keep the crust nice and crispy.

Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Bread:

• Don’t skip the spices – The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves is what makes pumpkin bread so special. Adjust to your taste, but don’t leave them out!
• Room temperature ingredients – Using eggs and milk at room temperature helps the batter come together more easily and bake more evenly.
• Avoid overmixing – As I mentioned earlier, too much mixing will develop gluten in the flour and make your bread less tender. Stir just until everything is incorporated.
• Cast iron care – If your cast iron is well-seasoned, it’ll release the bread easily. But if you’re worried, a light dusting of flour or even lining the pan with parchment paper will do the trick.

Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Bread

This pumpkin bread is the epitome of fall comfort. The cast iron guarantees an even bake, so you get a beautifully golden crust with a soft and tender inside.

And because the spices are bold but balanced, every bite is packed with comfort. It’s great on its own or slathered with a little butter (or cream cheese if you’re feeling fancy).

You can enjoy it for breakfast with coffee or as a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Either way, it’s bound to become a favorite for this time of the year.

Baking this pumpkin bread in cast iron brings out something extra special. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to share with family and friends, though I won’t blame you if you want to keep the whole loaf to yourself!

Nothing makes my heart happy like seeing y’all cooking with cast iron! Now that you’ve got the recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you.

There you have it, folks – a pumpkin bread recipe that’s sure to bring some happiness into your kitchen.

If you’re looking for more cast iron recipes, be sure to check out my other posts and videos on all things cast iron cooking.

Happy baking, y’all!