Starbucks Pumpkin Bread

December 9, 2012 by Stephanie Manley, Last Updated December 3, 2023 193 Comments

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Starbucks Pumpkin Bread is a favorite of so many of us. This bread is well spiced and so moist. Have you ever thought for a minute what a whole loaf of pumpkin bread would cost if you purchased it from Starbucks? I can show you how to make this delicious bread with a few simple ingredients.

homemade Starbucks pumpkin bread on a plate and cutting board

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Table of Contents

Pumpkin Spice Bread

So often I have pulled into Starbucks drive-thru and ordered myself a coffee and a slice of pumpkin bread and went on my merry way. Starbucks is known for its delicious treats, but sometimes Starbucks isn’t very kind on the wallet. Maybe like you, I don’t always want to spend 10 dollars on breakfast.

Pumpkin bread is actually easy to make. Now if you don’t happen to have all of the spices on hand, you can use pumpkin pie spice which you may already have in your spice cabinet. I just love the flavors of the cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, clove, and allspice.

If you can’t find pumpkin seeds you could use chopped walnuts or pecans. It won’t be quite like Starbucks, but it will still be very good. My local store happens to sell these in their bulk section so they are relatively inexpensive.

What Makes Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Bread So Good?

I think what makes the bread so special is how incredibly moist it is. It has a delicate pumpkin flavor that isn’t too overpowering; you can taste hints of spice. The best part is the crunchy pumpkin seeds on top, which provide a nice contrast to the soft bread.

It is absolutely divine when you enjoy it warm, but it is also yummy if you eat it at room temperature! It’s a great on-the-go breakfast or snack that tastes amazing with coffee.

The Starbucks Pumpkin and Pepita Loaf is one of their most beloved items. Customers appreciate the pumpkin bread so much that it is available year-round at the coffee shop, despite other pumpkin items typically being seasonal!

Why You Should Try This Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Bread Recipe

The good news is that you don’t need to be a professional to make this incredibly decadent morning bread. The Starbucks pumpkin bread ingredients are very basic and my easy-to-follow recipe makes it a breeze for you to recreate the famous pastry at home.

Your family will be impressed with how similar it tastes to the real deal! Plus, you can save some money when you make this homemade version from scratch and it tastes much fresher, too. As you can see, it’s a win-win.

Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make this Starbucks pumpkin bread copycat recipe:

All-purpose flour
White Sugar
Salt
Baking Soda
Nutmeg
Cardamom
Cinnamon
Allspice
Ground cloves
Eggs
Pumpkin puree (do not use pumpkin pie filling)
Vegetable oil
Vanilla
Roasted and salted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

How to Make Starbucks Pumpkin Bread

This recipe is a quick bread, so this means that we mix our wet and dry ingredients first separately, and then we mix them together.

I find if the dry ingredients are sifted it makes for better bread. The bread will be airier and have a uniform texture.

You don’t want to over-mix a quick bread, you want to mix it just long enough to get the lumps out.

In a large bowl add all of the dry ingredients; flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, salt, and spices. Sift the dry ingredients together and give them a final whisk to make sure they’re all combined.
In a smaller bowl mix together the eggs, oil, pumpkin puree, and vanilla.
Pour the wet ingredients mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir until the lumps are out. Do not over-stir the mixture.
Pour batter into a greased loaf pan.
Sprinkle pumpkin seeds on top of the bread batter.

pumpkin bread batter topped with pumpkin seeds in a loaf pan before baking

Bake at 350°F for 50 – 60 minutes.
Cool for approximately 5 minutes in the pan, and then turn the pumpkin bread onto a cooling rack.

The bread cuts best when allowed to cool completely.

What to Serve with the Starbucks Pumpkin Loaf

Luckily for you, this pastry pairs well with numerous foods and drinks. For instance, the most obvious choice is to enjoy it with your morning coffee, whether you prefer iced or hot coffee. It’s also tasty with a chai tea latte.

Warm up the pumpkin bread and smother some butter on it to take it to the next level. If you want something more filling to start your day, you can make some Starbucks sous vide egg bites with bacon and gruyere for a savory pairing.

Alternatively, transform it into a dessert by heating it up and drizzling some decadent caramel sauce and whipped cream atop the sliced bread. The flavors of caramel and pumpkin will make your tastebuds dance!

homemade Starbucks pumpkin bread and a cup of coffee

How to Store Pumpkin Bread

This baked good is safe to store at room temperature. In fact, I recommend it because it stays much softer this way (the refrigerator makes it a bit harder, but it will extend its shelf life).

You can keep this on the kitchen counter if you tightly wrap it or keep it in an airtight container. Personally, I go the extra mile by wrapping it in plastic and then keeping it in a gallon-sized bag, which keeps it nice and moist.

Another option is to store it in the freezer. Wrap it with a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.

How Long Will the Starbucks Copycat Pumpkin Bread Last?

As long as you store it correctly, the copycat pumpkin loaf lasts 4-5 days at room temperature. When you freeze it, it lasts about three months.

Do you love Starbucks? Check out these great copycat Starbucks recipes!

Easy Quick Bread Recipes

Take a look at more of my copycat restaurant recipes and easy homemade bread.