Starbucks Pumpkin Bread Easy Copycat Recipe

By Stephanie Manley Published September 26, 2024, Last Updated August 25, 2025

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Starbucks Pumpkin Bread has captured the hearts (and wallets) of coffee lovers everywhere with its incredibly moist texture, perfectly balanced spices, and signature crunchy pepita seeds on top. This beloved fall favorite is so popular that unlike other pumpkin treats, it’s available year-round at Starbucks. Now you can recreate this delicious treat at home with simple pantry ingredients and save money while enjoying fresher, homemade flavor.

Copycat starbucks pumpkin bread and a small bowl of pumpkin seeds.

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Why this copycat Starbucks pumpkin bread recipe works

The secret to Starbucks’ irresistible pumpkin bread lies in its incredible moisture content and perfectly balanced spiced blend. This copycat recipe achieves the signature texture through the ideal ratio of oil to pumpkin puree, while the careful combination of a warming spice blend creates the signature flavor profile. The crunchy pepita seeds on top provide the perfect textural contrast, making each bite memorable. So, bake up this Starbucks pumpkin bread recipe and enjoy a warm, thick slice at home.

Ingredients

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

All-purpose flour – Provides the essential structure for a perfect quick bread texture
White sugar – Adds sweetness and helps create the tender, moist crumb
Salt – Enhances all flavors and balances the sweetness
Baking soda – Creates the proper rise and light texture
Nutmeg – Contributes warm, slightly sweet aromatic notes
Cardamom – Adds exotic floral and citrusy undertones
Cinnamon – Provides a classic warming spice that defines pumpkin bread
Allspice – Contributes complex warmth with hints of clove and cinnamon
Ground cloves – Adds distinctive aromatic depth and warming sensation
Large eggs – Bind ingredients and add richness to the bread
Pumpkin puree – Provides moisture, flavor, and beautiful color (not pumpkin pie filling)
Vegetable oil or canola oil – Creates the incredibly moist texture
Vanilla extract – Enhances overall flavor and adds aromatic sweetness
Roasted and salted pumpkin seeds – Create the signature crunchy topping

Copycat starbucks pumpkin bread ingredients in bowls on a tray.

How to make Starbucks Pumpkin Bread

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

I find that sifting the dry ingredients makes for better bread. The bread will be airier and have a uniform texture.

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

In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients: flour, granulated sugar, salt, baking soda, and spices. Sift the dry ingredients together and give them a final whisk to combine them.
In a medium bowl, mix the eggs, oil, pumpkin purée, and vanilla.
Pour the mixture of wet ingredients over the dry ingredients. Stir until the lumps are out. Do not over-stir the mixture.
Spray the baking pan with non-stick cooking spray
Pour batter into a greased loaf pan.
Sprinkle pumpkin seeds on top of the bread batter.
Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 50 – 60 minutes.
Cool for approximately 5 minutes in the pan, and then turn the pumpkin bread onto a cooling wire rack.
The bread cuts best when allowed to cool completely.

Tip: You can make mini loaves by using mini loaf pans and bake for about 40 minutes.

What to serve with the Starbucks Pumpkin Loaf

Fortunately for you, this pastry pairs well with a variety of 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 smear 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 taste buds dance!

Make-Ahead Instructions

Advance baking: This bread actually improves after sitting for a day as flavors meld and moisture distributes evenly.
Freezer preparation: Wrap completely cooled bread tightly and freeze up to 3 months for future enjoyment.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Room Temperature Storage: Store tightly wrapped or in an airtight container for 4-5 days. Room temperature keeps bread softer than refrigeration.
Reheating Method: Warm individual slices in a toaster or microwave for 10-15 seconds. Whole loaf can be warmed in a 300°F oven
Freezing: Wrap in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Freeze up to 3 months

Copycat starbucks pumpkin bread on a wood cutting board.

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

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