Holiday Spiced Pumpkin Bread with Walnuts

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Moist pumpkin bread infused with warm holiday spices and crunchy walnuts, perfect for a festive breakfast or snack. This American-inspired holiday recipe, ready in about 85 minutes, pairs all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 10, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 70 min Serves 10 American cuisine 250 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, and 1/2 tsp salt until evenly combined.
  3. Step 3: In a separate large bowl, beat 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, and 1/2 cup vegetable oil until smooth. Add 3 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 1/2 cups pure pumpkin puree and 1 tsp vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
  5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, folding gently until just combined. Fold in 1 cup chopped walnuts.
  6. Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 60-70 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
  7. Step 7: Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Holiday Spiced Pumpkin Bread with Walnuts take to make?

Total time is about 85 minutes (15 min prep + 70 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Holiday Spiced Pumpkin Bread with Walnuts?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Holiday Spiced Pumpkin Bread with Walnuts?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Holiday Spiced Pumpkin Bread with Walnuts for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Holiday Spiced Pumpkin Bread with Walnuts?

American holiday like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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