Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread makes a tasty fall breakfast OR dessert! This dairy free pumpkin bread recipe is full of pumpkin flavor and studded with dark chocolate chips. Makes 1 loaf.

Love pumpkin baked goods? Try Vegan Pumpkin Muffins and Vegan Pumpkin Biscuits with Maple Butter.

Overhead of a slice of Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread on a white platter next to a loaf and a glass of milk

2020 update: This recipe was originally published on December 5, 2012. The post, recipes and images were updated and republished on September 28, 2020. I have included a LOT more tips and tricks.

After making Michelle’s Pumpkin Spice Pancakes, I had some leftover pumpkin puree.

And as someone who has always been a little wary of pumpkin — because of a bad pumpkin pie experience due to my dislike of jarred nutmeg — it was a struggle to figure out what needed to be done with the remainder.

Long story short: I got several sugar pumpkins from our CSA and roasted them. Then I did some internet research, was inspired to create a pumpkin bread recipe… and the rest is history.

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    Why I love this recipe:

    For starters, this Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread is wonderfully moist, fluffy and flavorful. We have the pumpkin puree and applesauce to thank for this.

    Also, you wouldn’t necessarily think that this unassuming bread would be super flavorful, but the ground cinnamon sings when paired with the other ingredients.

    To me, this is the BEST pumpkin bread recipe if you like the combination of pumpkin and chocolate without a bunch of spices getting in the way.

    It keeps well in the fridge when covered for as long as you have it. (Chances are, it won’t last more than a few days.)

    We like to slice this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread in the mornings and toast it in the toaster oven for an ooey, gooey pumpkin-y breakfast.

    I like it by itself, but if you’re feeling decadent, you could add a little Cream Cheese Frosting on top!

    Other breakfast recipes with pumpkin puree: Easy Pumpkin Spice Bread | Easy Pumpkin Muffins with Cream Cheese Nutella Swirl | Cranberry Pumpkin Cold Brew Coffee Drink | Mini Pumpkin Muffins with Chocolate Chips | Vegan Pumpkin Biscuits with Maple Butter

    Need fall flavor inspiration? I’ve got you covered! My Fall Recipe Index has all my favorite fall recipes in one place.

    Ingredients for pumpkin bread recipe on a gray striped towel on marble

    What you need to make this recipe:

    The Speckled Palate participates in affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Please refer to my disclosure page for more information about these affiliate programs.

    Let’s talk ingredients!

    In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.

    Here’s what you’ll need:

    • Pumpkin puree — not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling is already sweetened and spiced, and we don’t need that.
    • Granulated sugar — also known as white sugar, this is the sweetener we’re adding to the bread.
    • Unsweetened applesauce — since we’re adding in sugar, we don’t need our applesauce to make this bread sweeter. This takes the place of vegetable oil, which you find in many quick bread recipes.
    • All-purpose flour — I prefer to use unbleached, but if you’ve got the regular kind, that works!
    • Baking soda and baking powder — these are the leaveners we’re adding to our batter, and they will cause the dough to rise. Make sure yours are fresh.
    • Ground cinnamon — a little goes a long way! There is no substitute for this, though, so I do not recommend leaving it out. You could replace this with the same amount of pumpkin pie spice.
    • Kosher salt — I like to use a medium grain kosher salt in baking recipes. You may also use a fine grain sea salt if you have that on hand.
    • Bittersweet or dark chocolate chips — I particularly love Ghirardelli Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chips, but you do you! Milk chocolate chips or even semisweet chocolate chips would be lovely. However, if you’re serving this to someone who does not eat dairy, read the ingredients on your chocolate chip bag to ensure there is no dairy in them.

    A note on the spices:

    I chose to use cinnamon here, but you can use a pumpkin pie spice blend, which includes a mixture of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger and more, if desired.

    Did you know

    Using room temperature eggs and other ingredients helps the batter mix more evenly.

    When you preheat the oven, make sure the eggs and applesauce are out of the fridge.

    Flour, baking powder, baking soda and ground cinnamon in a glass bowl on marble
    Measure the dry ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine

    How do I make Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread?

    This pumpkin bread recipe is actually surprisingly simple!

    Prepare.

    • Preheat the oven.
    • Spray a loaf pan with nonstick baking spray. This will ensure that your homemade pumpkin bread comes out of the pan. (You could make a parchment paper sling to fit into the loaf pan.)
    • Get out a smaller bowl and a larger bowl. You’ll need them both.

    Combine the dry ingredients. Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt into the smaller bowl. Stir until incorporated and set aside.


    Mix the wet ingredients. Measure in the pumpkin, sugar and applesauce into the large bowl.

    Crack in the eggs, too. Whisk ’em together until combined.


    Combine the wet and dry ingredients. Sprinkle the flour mixture on top of the wet ingredients. Use a rubber spatula to stir them until just combined.

    It’s OK if there are a few lumps in it, so don’t feel like you need to stir until it’s smooth.


    Add the chocolate chips. Fold those in using the same rubber spatula.

    Pumpkin bread batter in a loaf pan on a gray striped towel
    Add the batter to a loaf pan

    Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Use the spatula to even out the batter, then sprinkle some more chocolate chips on top.

    Mini chocolate chips are sprinkled on top of pumpkin bread batter in a loaf pan
    Sprinkle chocolate chips on top of the surface before baking

    Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the loaf is baked through to perfection.

    How do you know when pumpkin bread is done?

    Check with a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted in center of the loaf. Pull it out.

    If it comes out clean, the loaf is done.

    If it doesn’t, pop the loaf pan back into the oven and bake for longer. Set a timer for a few minutes so you don’t overbake it.

    Let the Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread cool completely on a wire rack before carefully removing from the loaf pan and slicing!

    How to store:

    Store leftover and completely cooled pumpkin bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Slice whenever you want a slice.

    You can also wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What does pumpkin bread taste like?

    This easy pumpkin bread recipe tastes like pumpkin, cinnamon and chocolate. The pumpkin flavor is very mild, but it comes through when paired with the other ingredients.

    Why is my pumpkin bread dry?

    Overmixing the batter could cause pumpkin bread to be dry. Also, incorrectly measuring the ingredients could cause this, as well.

    What happens if you forget baking soda in pumpkin bread?

    The bread won’t rise as much if you’ve forgotten the baking soda. While it still might taste OK, it won’t be nearly as pretty.

    Why is the center of my pumpkin bread not cooking?

    It probably just needs more time to bake. If the rest of the top of the bread is getting really brown, cover it loosely with foil and continue baking until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

    Is it safe to eat undercooked pumpkin bread?

    I do not recommend eating undercooked pumpkin bread because this recipe calls for both flour and eggs.

    Can I leave pumpkin bread out overnight?

    Yes, you can leave it out overnight so long as it’s covered. We’ve found this keeps best in the fridge.

    Can I make mini loaves?

    I have never tried this and do not recommend it at this time.

    Close up of a loaf of pumpkin bread in a metal pan topped with chocolate chips

    Quick Tips and Tricks for the best Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

    • Bake it on a Sunday afternoon to have pumpkin bread throughout the week!
    • To store, wrap a completely cooled loaf in plastic wrap. Alternately, you can place it onto a plate and wrap that. Keep it in the fridge because the loaf is really moist and will keep longer if you have it in the refrigerator.
    • Slice the loaf into individual slices when you want to eat it instead of ahead of time. Reheat/toast in the toaster oven for an especially epic breakfast.

    Other pumpkin baked goods to try:

    Need pumpkin muffin inspiration? Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins would be lovely. And these Pumpkin Cream Cheese Streusel Muffins sound like a fun twist on a classic.

    Love pumpkin breakfasts? Pumpkin Overnight French Toast Casserole is great for sharing. Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Cream Cheese Glaze and Toasted Pecans are never a bad idea.

    Want a dessert? Praline Pumpkin Upside Down Cake and Spiced Pumpkin Sugar Cookies are two family favorites

    Let’s bake, friends!

    Close up of a loaf of pumpkin bread in a metal pan topped with chocolate chips

    Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

    Erin Parker, The Speckled Palate
    Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread makes a tasty fall breakfast OR dessert! This dairy free pumpkin bread recipe is full of pumpkin flavor and studded with dark chocolate chips.
    4.67 from 3 votes
    Servings 1 loaf
    Calories 231 kcal
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 50 minutes
    Total Time 55 minutes

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¾ cup pumpkin puree
    • 2 eggs
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
    • 1 cup dark chocolate chips plus a little extra for the top of the bread

    As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a loaf pan with nonstick baking spray, and set aside.
    • In a small mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Whisk, and set aside.
    • In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk the pumpkin, eggs, sugar and applesauce together until smooth.
    • Sprinkle the dry ingredients on top of the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined using a rubber spatula.
    • Measure in the chocolate chips, and fold into the batter gently using a rubber spatula.
    • Pour the batter into the prepared bread pan. Sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top, if desired.
    • Transfer the pan into the oven. Bake for 50 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
    • Let cool for 15 minutes, slice and then enjoy!

    Notes

    If you plan to make this dairy free, read the ingredients on your chocolate chip bag to ensure there was no dairy used in their creation.
    Chocolate Chip Substitutions: Bittersweet chocolate chips work in this recipe, too! I advise against semisweet and milk chocolate ones because I feel like they make the bread too sweet. However, if you like it sweeter, give it a go. Also consider using ¾ cup of those instead of a full cup.
    Store this loaf of bread covered in the refrigerator. (We generally remove ours from its pan, and wrap it in plastic wrap when completely cooled.) Why?It’s super moist, and I’ve had it mold when sitting out on the countertop after a few days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1sliceCalories: 231kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 5gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 407mgFiber: 2gSugar: 22g
    Keyword Breakfast, Brunch, chocolate chip pumpkin bread recipe, chocolate chips, fall recipe, pumpkin, pumpkin bread, pumpkin bread recipe, pumpkin bread with chocolate recipe, pumpkin recipe
    Course Breakfast & Brunch
    Cuisine American
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    A woman with dark curly hair wearing a black tank top in front of a white wall

    About the Author:

    Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her

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    20 Comments

    1. I’m a pumpkin fan myself, but I’ve realized I love it for all the spices I add to it more than anything. Dark chocolate would be a delicious addition as well. Yum.

      1. Too funny! Dark chocolate is definitely a good addition to pumpkin… and I’m beginning to realize that maybe I should try some different things with pumpkin. What are your favorite spices to add to it?

    2. Oh gosh, yes, as much as I love spices, they can definitely be overpowering! This bread is gorgeous! I love that it’s that pumpkin time of year again!

      1. I’m so glad I am not the only one who struggles with all those spices sometimes. And thank you — this bread is beautiful, and it tastes as good as it looks!

    4.67 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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