Pumpkin Bread Made with Sour Cream

By Elizabeth Waterson // Sep 28, 2022 (Updated Oct 16, 2026) // 2 Comments

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This Pumpkin Bread is incredibly moist, soft, and full of warm pumpkin spice flavor, made with real pumpkin puree, sour cream, and oil for a beautifully tender crumb. I love that this is a simple quick bread with no mixer, yeast, or complicated steps involved. After developing so many pumpkin recipes over the years, I've found that sour cream is one of my favorite ingredients for keeping pumpkin baked goods soft without making them heavy. This is the kind of easy fall recipe I love having on the counter for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a little something sweet after dinner.

cut open pumpkin bread on a wire rack on top of an orange linen — A thick slice of soft, perfectly spiced pumpkin bread, preferably with a little salted butter and a hot cup of coffee. Fall perfection!

I love having a simple pumpkin bread recipe like this one in my fall baking rotation, but sometimes I want something a little more indulgent. That's when I make my Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread, which has that same cozy pumpkin flavor with a rich cream cheese filling. And if you're looking for something to bake for a fall breakfast, my Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins are another favorite way to enjoy pumpkin and cream cheese together.

slice of pumpkin bread held up to the camera (

Simple Ingredients, Seriously Good Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Puree: After baking countless pumpkin recipes over the years, I've found that pure pumpkin puree is one of the best ingredients for creating moist, tender baked goods. I use 1¼ cups in this recipe for plenty of pumpkin flavor without making the loaf too dense. Make sure you're using pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
Sour Cream: I love adding sour cream to quick breads because it adds richness and creates such a soft crumb. Full-fat Greek yogurt works well as a substitute, too.
Neutral Oil: I prefer using oil in this pumpkin bread because it helps keep the loaf moist for days. I typically reach for avocado oil, but vegetable oil works just as well.
Pumpkin Pie Spice: I use a full tablespoon because I want the warm spices to really come through! If you don't have any on hand, my homemade pumpkin pie spice is easy to mix together.

ingredients for pumpkin bread in small glass bowls

Let's Get Our Pumpkin Bread On

wet ingredients in a glass bowl for pumpkin bread on a light surface with an orange linen — Mix together the wet ingredients.

dry ingredients in a small bowl on a light surface with an orange linen — Mix together the wet ingredients.

hand holding a spatula gently folding dry ingredients into wet ingredients on a light surface with an orange linen — Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and gently stir to combine.

pumpkin bread batter in a glass bowl on a light surface with an orange linen — Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and gently stir to combine.

pumpkin bread before and after baking in a metal pan on a light surface — Pour pumpkin bread batter into the pan and bake.

slice of pumpkin bread on a white plate on a light surface

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★★★★★ Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a star rating and comment below!

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