Have you ever walked into your kitchen and just needed that perfect fall treat that makes the whole house smell amazing? This old fashioned pumpkin bread recipe is exactly what you've been looking for!
I can't even tell you how many times I've made this pumpkin bread. It started a few years ago when Emily and I were looking for something to bake during a rainy weekend. We wanted something that felt traditional but with a healthier twist – and this pumpkin bread was born!
What makes this recipe special is the perfect balance of wholesome ingredients like almond flour and cassava flour, giving you all that nostalgic bread taste without the refined sugars and gluten.
Plus, those melty chocolate chips scattered throughout? Oh my goodness – game changer!
If you're looking for more fall baking inspiration, you might also enjoy my Pumpkin Custard Pie recipe. It uses similar warm spices and that delicious pumpkin flavor but in a creamy, dreamy pie form that's perfect for holiday gatherings or whenever you're craving something special.
Why You Will Like This Old Fashioned Pumpkin Bread Recipe
- Made with nutritious almond and cassava flours – perfect if you're avoiding gluten
- Sweetened with real maple syrup instead of refined sugar for a more complex flavor
- Super moist texture thanks to the pumpkin puree and almond butter
- Loaded with warm fall spices that make your whole house smell amazing
- Can easily be made dairy-free by using coconut oil instead of butter
- Chocolate chips add little pockets of sweetness throughout (though you can skip them if you prefer)

Ingredients You Need for This Old Fashioned Pumpkin Bread
Wet Ingredients:
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ⅓ cup real maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
Dry Ingredients:
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ¼ cup super-fine almond flour
- ¾ cup cassava flour
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
Other:
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted (sub coconut oil or vegan butter)
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (dairy-free or regular)
How to Make This Old Fashioned Pumpkin Bread Recipe
- Prep: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare bread pan by spraying inside with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Wet Ingredients: Combine wet ingredients in large mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.


- Dry Ingredients: In a separate mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients. Whisk to combine.
- Finish Batter: Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and use a wooden spoon to combine. Fold in chocolate chips. Stir in melted butter.


- Bake: Pour batter into prepared bread pan, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top, if desired. Bake, middle oven rack, for 50 minutes.
- Cool: Remove and let cool 10 minutes in pan then carefully remove and set on cooling rack.
Storage & Reheating Your Pumpkin Bread
This old fashioned pumpkin bread stores beautifully! Here's how to keep it fresh:
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days
- Refrigerate for up to a week (though it rarely lasts that long in my house!)
- Freeze slices individually wrapped in plastic wrap, then placed in a freezer bag for up to 3 months
- To reheat frozen slices, microwave for about 30 seconds or toast lightly
I find that the flavors actually deepen after a day, making this bread even more delicious the next morning with your coffee!
(Is there anything better than pumpkin bread for breakfast? I think not.)


Baking Tips for the Best Old Fashioned Pumpkin Bread
After making this recipe about a dozen times (not exaggerating!), I've picked up some helpful tips to share:
- Flour substitutions: As mentioned in the notes, you can substitute 1 cup of whole wheat flour for both the almond and cassava flours if you don't need the recipe to be gluten-free.
- Spice it up: Don't have pumpkin pie spice? Make your own by combining 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ginger, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon cloves, and a pinch of allspice.
- Add some crunch: Try adding ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for texture contrast. (Emily always votes for extra nuts in ours!)
- Make it extra decadent: Drizzle a simple maple glaze on top made with ½ cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, and 1-2 teaspoons milk.
- Mini loaves: This recipe works beautifully in mini loaf pans! Divide the batter between 3 mini pans and bake for about 30-35 minutes instead.
Have you ever tried using fresh pumpkin puree instead of canned? It gives this old fashioned pumpkin bread recipe an amazing depth of flavor, though it does require a bit more work.
FAQs About Old Fashioned Pumpkin Bread Recipe
This recipe uses butter for rich flavor, but offers coconut oil or vegan butter as alternatives. Both work well, with butter providing more flavor while oil often yields a slightly moister texture.
For stronger pumpkin flavor, use high-quality pumpkin puree and the full amount of pumpkin pie spice (1 tablespoon + 2 tsp). The maple syrup in this recipe also enhances the natural pumpkin taste better than regular sugar would.
This recipe ensures moisture through pumpkin puree, melted butter, and almond butter. Don't overmix the batter, bake at the correct temperature (350°F), and allow proper cooling time to maintain moisture.
When stored properly in an airtight container, this pumpkin bread stays fresh at room temperature for 3-4 days. Refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.
Recipes You May Like
- Gluten-Free Apple Pie – Another fantastic fall dessert that's gluten-free and perfect for the season.
- Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies – If you love the chocolate chips in this bread, you'll adore these cookies!
- Fudgy S'mores Brownies – Another crowd-pleasing treat that pairs chocolate with cozy flavors.
Conclusion
This old fashioned pumpkin bread recipe has become a staple in our home, especially during the fall months when we're craving something cozy and delicious. I love how it balances that traditional pumpkin bread taste we all grew up with, while incorporating healthier ingredients that make me feel good about serving it to my family.
The best part? It's so versatile! You can enjoy it for breakfast with a smear of almond butter, as an afternoon snack with a cup of tea, or even warm it up and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert (don't judge, it's amazing!).
I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your kitchen as it has to mine. If you try it, I'd love to hear what you think! And don't forget to save this to Pinterest for later – fall baking season comes around every year, and you'll want this recipe handy!



Old Fashioned Pumpkin Bread
Equipment
- Bread Pan
- Mixing bowls
- Cooling Rack
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ⅓ cup real maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon almond butter
Dry Ingredients
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ¼ cup super-fine almond flour
- ¾ cup cassava flour
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice plus 2 teaspoons
Other
- 3 tablespoon butter melted (sub coconut oil or vegan butter)
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips dairy-free or regular
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare bread pan by spraying inside with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Combine wet ingredients (eggs, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and almond butter) in large mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients (baking soda, almond flour, cassava flour, salt, and pumpkin pie spice). Whisk to combine.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and use a wooden spoon to combine. Fold in chocolate chips. Stir in melted butter.
- Pour batter into prepared bread pan, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top, if desired. Bake on the middle oven rack for 50 minutes.
- Remove and let cool 10 minutes in pan then carefully remove and set on cooling rack.
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