Chocolate Pumpkin Bread is a rich, dark chocolate bread with a mildly spicy aroma of cloves and the seasonal flavor of pumpkin. This easy chocolate bread recipe is sure to be a hit no matter what time of year you serve it!
When I think of the scents that evoke warm holiday memories, for me cloves are in my top three favorites, along with cinnamon and nutmeg rounding out the list.
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Jump to:
- The ingredient list :
- A quick hack for creating seasonal home scents:
- Why this recipe works:
- Can the walnuts be omitted from this recipe?
- Can this chocolate quick bread be frozen?
- Can this be made gluten-free?
- What are the dimensions of a standard loaf pan?
- The easy instructions:
- Additional quick bread recipes:
- Printable Recipe Card
The ingredient list :
*Please note that the exact measurements along with a new "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart is available in the printable recipe card.
- granulated sugar
- all-purpose flour
- brown sugar
- grapeseed or canola oil
- maple syrup
- eggs
- cocoa powder
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
- ground cloves
- pumpkin pie filling
- walnuts (optional)
A quick hack for creating seasonal home scents:
Sometimes when I'm looking for that cozy aroma and feeling, but I don't have time to bake, I'll fill a small saucepan with water and add some cinnamon sticks, an already used nub of nutmeg, a scant tablespoon of cloves (or a few whole cloves), and maybe a orange and or apple peel.
I then simmer it low and slow on the stovetop all day, making sure I replenish the water as it simmers away.
It never fails to brighten my day and brings me immediately into the holiday mood.
For me, the aroma is intoxicating and uplifting.
Why this recipe works:
The combination of each of these ingredients marry perfectly with one another but none of these strongly flavored ingredients overwhelm the other.
Can the walnuts be omitted from this recipe?
You bet!
For the nut lover, I added walnuts to one loaf and left the other loaf nut-free.
I tend to prefer the nuts, but not everyone does. Whatever your preference, this is a quick bread that will soon become one of your absolute holidays (or anytime) favorites.
Can this chocolate quick bread be frozen?
It sure can.
Cool the bread completely and then wrap it well (either in slices or as a loaf) in a few layers of plastic wrap. This bread can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Can this be made gluten-free?
Yes. You can easily swap out any brand of gluten-free measure-by-measure flour and you're good to go.
What are the dimensions of a standard loaf pan?
Nine inches long by five inches wide.
The easy instructions:
- In a large bowl blend the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, and maple syrup.
- In another bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cloves.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and blend until combined.
- Add the pumpkin puree into the batter and mix well.
- Pour the batter into two prepared loaf pans that have been sprayed with baking spray, adding walnuts if desired.
- Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool on a rack for 30 minutes and remove the loaf from the pan to cool for an additional 40 minutes.
Additional quick bread recipes:
Blueberry Banana Quick Bread with white chocolate and pecans is a definite upgrade from your typical banana loaf recipe. It's easy to make too!!
Yep, you read that right... Eggplant Zucchini Bread. It's so moist and flavorful, AND it's a great way to bump up the nutrition level of your next zucchini quick bread without anyone being the wiser.
This Italian Herb Quick Bread comes together in a snap with only one bowl, one spoon, and no kneading required. It's fast, easy, and super delicious!
When you make this recipe, and I hope you do, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave a star rating on the recipe card and briefly comment on why you rated it as you did. FYI - Google appreciates recipe ratings and, in turn, will share my recipes with more people. Thank you so much!!
Printable Recipe Card
Chocolate Pumpkin Bread with Cloves
Equipment
- whisk optional
- hand mixer optional
- stand mixer optional
- 2 standard loaf pans
- nut chopper optional
- kitchen timer optional
- cake tester optional
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup grapeseed oil or other light colored oil
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 4 large eggs at room temperature
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling
- 1 - 2 cups chopped walnuts optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350-degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius)
- In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, and oil.
- In a second large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, salt, and ground cloves.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and blend until just combined.
- Stir in the pumpkin puree, and walnuts (if desired) until completely incorporated.
- Pour the batter evenly into two loaf pans that have been liberally sprayed with baking spray.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 60 - 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Turn the bread from the pans and cool for an additional 40 - 60 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed the recipe for this cocoa powder bread recipe with pumpkin & cloves as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
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Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
I can smell the cloves from here!
Dionne Baldwin says
I rarely celebrate cloves. They're usually mixed in with other spices and singing harmony so to speak. This combination is new to me and something I would be excited to try! I can't wait to have the fragrance of this bread wafting through my home. 🙂 Thank you for baking this!
Karen Kerr says
Looks delicious Renee. Such a wonderful combination of flavors.
Lora CakeDuchess says
There are Sicilian cookies made with chocolate and clove and this loaf reminds me of them. What a fantastic addition to our Spice challenge this month, Renee. So happy to have you a part of #TwelveLoaves:)
Renee says
I really don't know why but I always seem to associate cloves with ham. I need to remedy that and check out this flavor combo with chocolate and pumpkin. What a lovely bread. I bet it smells incredible when it is baking.
Liz Berg says
Your moist, beautiful slices look divine! It looks like a delicious way to start the day!
Rossella says
Wow: cocoa and pumpkin.
Twelve Loaves surprises me recipe after recipe.
Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez says
Oh, that smell - I bet it's magical! I love nuts in my quick breads, but my kids hate them. Grrr. So, I like recipes that two loaves ;).
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says
I had such a bad experience with cloves when I was a teenager, that I kind of omit it now. But this bread looks amazing Renee! Cocoa makes all spices better, and viceversa!
Paula says
Another great loaf from your kitchen! I prefer nuts but I'm pretty sure I'd enjoy a slice of each.
Cher Rockwell says
That bread sounds wonderful! Such a great fall treat.
Liz Berg says
Ooh, I love the idea of adding chocolate to pumpkin bread! Yours looks moist and wonderful!