Pumpkin bread is a fall favorite. Cinnamon swirl pumpkin bread mini loaves take the classic recipe to the next level. They are moist, flavorful, and perfectly portioned. These loaves make excellent snacks, gifts, or additions to holiday tables. The sweet cinnamon swirl inside adds a delightful surprise in every bite.
Why You’ll Love Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Bread Mini Loaves
- Perfect for fall: The combination of pumpkin and cinnamon captures autumn’s essence.
- Mini size: Great for portion control, gifting, or sharing.
- Moist and tender: Pumpkin purée keeps the loaves soft for days.
- Customizable: Add nuts, chocolate chips, or a glaze to make them unique.
- Make-ahead friendly: Freeze them for quick treats later.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a complete list of ingredients for this recipe:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the cinnamon swirl:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Step-by-Step Directions
- Preheat oven: Set to 350°F (175°C). Grease four mini loaf pans or line with parchment.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices, and salt.
- Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk pumpkin, oil, sugars, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- Make batter: Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Do not overmix.
- Layer swirl: Pour half the batter into loaf pans. Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly. Top with remaining batter.
- Swirl: Use a knife to gently swirl layers.
- Bake: 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool: Let loaves rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Bread Mini Loaves
Ingredients Loaf Batter
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs + 1 tsp vanilla
Cinnamon Swirl
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease 4 mini loaf pans or line with parchment.
- Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices, and salt in a bowl.
- In another bowl, whisk pumpkin, oil, sugars, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- Fold dry ingredients into wet just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Divide half the batter among pans. Sprinkle swirl mixture evenly. Top with remaining batter and gently swirl with a knife.
- Bake 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; transfer to a rack.
Tips for the Best Pumpkin Bread Mini Loaves
- Use fresh pumpkin purée for richer flavor.
- Avoid overmixing the batter; it can make loaves dense.
- For a crunchy topping, sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top before baking.
- Mini loaves bake faster than a full loaf — check early!
- Wrap cooled loaves in plastic to keep them moist.
Variations to Try
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Loaves: Add ½ cup chocolate chips.
- Glazed Loaves: Drizzle with cream cheese glaze.
- Nutty Loaves: Stir in ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Spiced Loaves: Add extra ginger for warmth.
- Vegan Version: Use flax eggs and coconut oil.
Storage and Freezing
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator: Keeps fresh up to 1 week.
- Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before serving.
FAQs
Q: Can I double this recipe?
Yes, double it and bake 8 mini loaves or two large loaves.
Q: Can I make muffins instead?
Absolutely! Divide into muffin tins and bake for 18–20 minutes.
Q: What’s the best topping?
Cream cheese glaze or a cinnamon-sugar sprinkle works perfectly.
Final Thoughts
Cinnamon swirl pumpkin bread mini loaves are cozy, delicious, and versatile. They’re great for gifting, sharing, or enjoying with a warm drink. With a tender crumb and sweet swirl, these mini loaves are sure to become a seasonal favorite.
