Pumpkin Bread with a Twist: A Hidden Spice Secret

Thinking beyond the typical spice mix, this pumpkin bread introduces a subtle hint of cardamom to awaken your senses and elevate your baking. It’s not just pumpkin and cinnamon; it’s a warm, fragrant surprise hidden in each slice, perfect for those cozy autumn mornings.

The moist crumb, combined with the aromatic spice, creates a nostalgic journey back to family kitchens, but with an unexpected twist that makes every bite memorable. This recipe is a conversation starter, blending tradition with a splash of adventurous flavor, ideal for sharing with friends or keeping as a personal secret stash.

As the leaves turn and the air crisps, baking this bread becomes an act of seasonal ritual. The aroma alone — a fragrant swirl of pumpkin and spice — will fill your home with comfort and anticipation. It’s more than bread; it’s a cozy, spice-laced hug in a loaf.

Pumpkin Cardamom Bread

This pumpkin bread features a moist crumb infused with aromatic cardamom, creating a fragrant and flavorful loaf. The process involves mixing wet and dry ingredients, folding in pumpkin puree, and baking until golden, resulting in a tender, sliceable bread with a textured, inviting appearance.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: baking

Calories: 250

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour sifted
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup pumpkin puree unsweetened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Loaf pan
• Cooling rack

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a standard loaf pan to prepare for baking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, and salt until evenly combined. This creates a flavorful, aromatic dry mixture.
3. In another bowl, mix the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil until the mixture is smooth and slightly bubbly, about a minute.
4. Add the eggs one at a time to the sugar mixture, whisking after each addition until fully incorporated, which helps create a cohesive batter.
5. Stir in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and uniform, with a slightly thick texture.
6. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula, mixing just until there are no dry streaks—be careful not to overmix to keep the bread tender.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula for a flat top surface.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
9. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes—this relaxes the crumb and makes slicing easier.
10. Transfer the loaf to a wire rack and allow it to cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.
11. Slice the pumpkin bread and enjoy its moist, spiced crumb with fragrant hints of cardamom and pumpkin in every bite.

Whether it’s for a lazy weekend breakfast or an after-school treat, this pumpkin bread adapts effortlessly to your day. Keep a loaf on hand for surprising guests or to serve warm with a pat of butter or cream cheese spread.

Every slice carries a story of the season, textured with crunchy edges and lush, spiced crumb. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the simplest pleasures, like a slice of pumpkin bread, connect us to a fleeting moment of warmth amid the cooler days.