Chocolate Pumpkin Bread Recipe - Inside BruCrew Life (2024)

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Love pumpkin season, but don't want to give up the chocolate? Problem solved with a moist Chocolate Pumpkin Bread loaded with chocolate chips. Enjoy it plain or take it up a notch and add a creamy caramel frosting.

Looking for more delicious pumpkin recipes? Enjoy a cup of this pumpkin cream cold brew and these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

Chocolate Pumpkin Bread Recipe - Inside BruCrew Life (1)
Jump to:
  • Why You Should Make This Bread
  • Key Ingredients Needed
  • How to Make Chocolate Pumpkin Bread
  • Storage Recommendations
  • Tips and Tricks
  • Recipe FAQ'S
  • More Pumpkin Dessert Recipes
  • Recipe

I am excited to bake all the things with pumpkin this fall. Usually I make pumpkin scones or this pumpkin chocolate chip bread, but today it's all about the chocolate.

Yes, I know there a billion and one recipes out there. Trust me, you need another pumpkin bread recipe in your life this fall. Why? Because our recipe has double the chocolate.

Why You Should Make This Bread

You are going to love this chocolate pumpkin bread because it is made with dark cocoa powder and loaded with chocolate chips. It's gooey, delicious, and totally fabulous!

A layer of creamy caramel frosting and a sprinkling of chocolate chips on top makes it even better. Although, it does bring up a question. Do you call this bread or cake?

Apparently, frosting on a sweet bread turns it into cake in some people's eyes. Whatever you call it, this double chocolate pumpkin bread is going to be your new favorite fall bread and here is why.

  • Easy to mix up in minutes.
  • Chocolate chips and cocoa powder make it super chocolatey.
  • Decadent, delicious, and oh so moist!
  • Topped with a sweet caramel frosting.

Key Ingredients Needed

Chocolate Pumpkin Bread Recipe - Inside BruCrew Life (2)

With simple pantry items you can make a loaf of moist pumpkin bread that is loaded with two kinds of chocolate. Enjoy it plain or top it with a rich and creamy caramel frosting. Either way works!

  • Sugar - A mixture of granulated and brown sugar makes it sweet and keeps it moist.
  • Oil - Using vegetable oil in sweet breads gives them a nice soft crumb texture.
  • Pumpkin Puree - Make sure you get the PURE pumpkin puree. Pumpkin pie mix has extra sugar and spices added to it.
  • Baking Soda - Provides the lift needed as it bakes.
  • Spices - Using cinnamon and nutmeg gives the sweet bread a warm fall flavor.
  • Flour - We use all purpose flour in most of our recipes. Learn how to measure flour correctly, so your baked goods will always turn out.
  • Cocoa Powder - A dark cocoa powder will give the quick bread a dark rich color. Regular cocoa powder is fine too, but the bread be a little lighter when it bakes.
  • Milk - For the best flavor use 2% or whole milk, but any variety will work just fine.
  • Chocolate Chips - We like using semi-sweet chips, but milk chocolate or dark chocolate are great too. You can also use chocolate chunks or caramel chocolate chips in place of some of the chocolate.
  • Caramel Frosting - Butter, brown sugar, vanilla, milk, and powdered sugar will make a sweet and creamy glaze for the bread.

BruCrew Tip: Don't like chocolate? Try this pumpkin pecan bread or this pumpkin spice bread instead.

How to Make Chocolate Pumpkin Bread

Chocolate Pumpkin Bread Recipe - Inside BruCrew Life (3)

You can easily have a loaf of this chocolate pumpkin bread in your oven with very little work. Sit back and enjoy the fall smell as it bakes.

  1. In a large bowl mix together the sugars, oil, eggs, and pumpkin puree.
  2. Slowly add the dry ingredients and the milk until a batter forms.
  3. Stir in the chocolate chips gently.
  4. Spray a 9x5 loaf pan with nonstick spray and spoon or pour the mixture into the prepared pan.
  5. Bake for 65-75 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs on it.
  6. Let the baked bread rest on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes, then flip out onto a plate and cool completely.

Storage Recommendations

Once the chocolate pumpkin bread has cooled, keep it in a covered container on the counter for 4-5 days. If you want to keep it longer, place the frosted bread in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.

This chocolate pumpkin bread also freezes well. Wrap the cooled, unfrosted bread tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for 2-3 months.

To thaw, unwrap the bread and let it thaw at room temperature. Add the frosting before serving.

Chocolate Pumpkin Bread Recipe - Inside BruCrew Life (4)

Tips and Tricks

  • Do not over mix the ingredients. Too much mixing can cause the bread to develop too much gluten in the batter which can cause a dense, chewy bread.
  • Use different chocolate chips to change it up. White chocolate chips, mini chocolate chips, toffee bits, or caramel chips are all great choices.
  • Add ½-1 cup of your favorite chopped nuts to the batter before baking.
  • Not a fan of frosting on sweet breads? Not a problem. Add a few more chocolate chips to the top of the batter before baking. Once the bread cools, dig in.
  • Enjoy the cool fall mornings with a slice of pumpkin bread and a salted caramel mocha.

Recipe FAQ'S

How do you know when pumpkin bread is done?

Insert a knife or long skewer into the outside edge of the middle of the pumpkin bread. If it comes out with batter, continue to cook the bread. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs, the bread is done.

Can I use pumpkin pie spice instead?

Yes, you can use 2 teaspoons of the pumpkin pie spice instead of the other spices.

Can you freeze pumpkin bread?

Yes, pumpkin bread freezes well. Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in 2 layers of plastic wrap, then place in a freezer safe bag or container. Freeze for 2-3 months.

Thaw overnight in the fridge. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Chocolate Pumpkin Bread Recipe - Inside BruCrew Life (5)

More Pumpkin Dessert Recipes

  • Easy Pumpkin Crunch Cobbler
  • Homemade Pumpkin Bundt Cake Recipe
  • Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe
  • Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies

Do you love a recipe you tried from Inside BruCrew Life?

Please leave a 5-star ⭐️ rating and a review in the comments section below.

Recipe

Chocolate Pumpkin Bread Recipe - Inside BruCrew Life (10)

Chocolate Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Yield: 12 slices

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Love pumpkin season, but don't want to give up the chocolate? Problem solved with this Chocolate Pumpkin Bread loaded with chocolate chips. Enjoy it plain or take it up a notch and add a creamy caramel frosting.

Ingredients

For the Bread

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ cup canola oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon table salt
  • 1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
  • ¼ cup dark cocoa powder
  • ⅓ cup milk
  • 1 ½ cups chocolate chips

For the Frosting

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x5 bread pan with nonstick baking spray.
  2. Combine the sugars, oil, eggs, and pumpkin until mixed together.
  3. Sift together the baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, flour, and cocoa powder.
  4. Slowly beat it into the sugar mixture alternately with the milk. Gently stir in the chocolate chips by hand.
  5. Spread the batter in the prepared bread pan. Bake for 65-75 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  6. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Flip out onto a plate and cool completely.
  7. Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add the brown sugar and stir for 2 minutes, or until the sugar dissolves all the way.
  8. Remove from the heat and whisk in the milk and vanilla. Let cool for 4-5 minutes. Beat in the powdered sugar.
  9. Spread on the top of the cooled bread immediately. Top with mini chocolate chips if desired.

Notes

  • Do not over mix the ingredients. Too much mixing can cause the bread to develop too much gluten in the batter which can cause a dense, chewy bread.
  • Use different chocolate chips to change it up. White chocolate chips, mini chocolate chips, toffee bits, or caramel chips are all great choices.
  • Add ½-1 cup of your favorite chopped nuts to the batter before baking.
  • Not a fan of frosting on sweet breads? Not a problem. Add a few more chocolate chips to the top of the batter before baking. Once the bread cools, dig in.
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 491Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 219mgCarbohydrates: 75gFiber: 3gSugar: 56gProtein: 5g

Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

*This post was originally shared October 2014. It was updated and republished September 2022.

More Sweet Breads

  • Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf
  • Sour Cream Banana Bread
  • Cinnamon Banana Bread
  • Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Chocolate Pumpkin Bread Recipe - Inside BruCrew Life (18)

Chocolate Pumpkin Bread Recipe - Inside BruCrew Life (19)

Jocelyn is the owner and creator of Inside BruCrew Life where she loves to share semi-homemade recipes with flair that anyone can recreate in their own kitchen. Jocelyn is married and has three kids. She loves to workout, enjoys trips to Disney, and relaxing at the beach.

Learn More About Jocelyn

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Susan T. Shannon

    Cam you leave out the chocolate chips?

    Reply

    • Jocelyn

      You sure can! I'm just a total over the top chocolate lover. LOL! I hope you enjoy the bread! And if you are looking for a plain pumpkin bread. You could leave the chocolate out of and off the top of this one too. https://insidebrucrewlife.com/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-bread/

      Reply

  2. Tracey6

    Milk is listed in bread part but not in instructions.
    🤞🏼 It turns out ok.

    Reply

    • Tracey6

      Never mind just saw it🤦🏼‍♀️

      Reply

  3. Christine

    It looks good

    Reply

  4. Robyn Freese

    I did as the frosting recipe said. My turned a Carmel brown but your picture has white icing. Did I do something wrong?
    -Robyn Freese

    • Jocelyn

      Nope not at all. It should be a caramel color. Mine could look differently because of the light in the photos. A couple factors that could make it darker would be browning the melted butter or using dark brown sugar. The main thing is that it tastes good!

      Reply

      • Robyn Freese

        Thanks!
        If it allowed me, I’d post a picture of how good it came out. The kids love it.

      • Mary

        Disappointed in the taste. Very heavy and dense.

      • Jocelyn

        I am so sorry to hear you didn't enjoy this. The texture should be just like regular pumpkin bread. It sounds like yours needed to bake a little bit longer. What size pan did you use and how long did you bake it?

  5. Catherine

    Could I double the recipe and bake in a bundt pan?

    Reply

    • Jocelyn

      I really can't say for sure since I have only baked this in a bread pan. If you try it, keep me posted! Here is my favorite pumpkin bundt cake. https://insidebrucrewlife.com/pumpkin-spice-bundt-cake/ To make it chocolate, you could reduce the flour by 1/4 cup and add 1/4 or 1/2 cup dark cocoa powder.

      Reply

  6. Stephanie

    Will be making this in the next few days, I hope! Any suggestions on reducing the baking time if I use a muffin pan instead of a loaf pan?

    Reply

    • Jocelyn Brubaker

      I can't give you an exact time since I haven't ever done this particular bread in muffin tins. But I know that quick breads can be baked this way. My best guess would be 20-25 minutes. You might want to test a small batch for the first round to get the time right, then bake the rest of the batter. I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply

      • Stephanie

        Thank you!! 🙂

  7. Kelly - Life Made Sweeter

    I could always use more pumpkin recipes and no matter what you call it - I love it! Especially with the caramel and gorgeous thick frosting - yum!

    Reply

  8. Rachel @ Bakerita

    Mmm this looks like some decadently delicious pumpkin bread - I love that you added chocolate AND caramel! So much yumminess in one loaf 🙂 pinned!

    Reply

  9. Dorothy+@+Crazy+for+Crust

    Well duh of course we need all the pumpkin bread. This one is CHOCOLATE! With caramel. SOLD. 🙂 Thanks for the link love!

    Reply

  10. Mary Frances

    This is totally bread. Which means you can have more than one slice. I don't know why they have a problem with extra frosting for breakfast 😉 It looks beyond delicious! Thick fudgy slices are my kryptonite. 🙂

    Reply

  11. Julianne+@+Beyond+Frosting

    I mean, I anyone who says they have enough pumpkin bread recipes is totally kidding themselves. This one has CARAMEL people! Wow!

    Reply

    • Jocelyn Brubaker

      They totally are kidding themselves!! 🙂 Thanks Julianne!

      Reply

  12. Mir

    Cake or bread, I am not caring at all right now! It looks chocolatey and amazing and I love that caramel glaze on top! Thanks for adding a ton of chocolate fun to the pumpkin of the season!

    Reply

  13. capturing joy with kristen duke

    This seriously sounds SO amazing!!

    Reply

    • Jocelyn Brubaker

      Thanks Kristen! 🙂

      Reply

  14. Annie @ Annie's Noms

    I call it bread, my other half calls it cake - all I care about is that it tastes good haha! This looks wonderful, I love chocolate and pumpkin, but haven't tried it with caramel, sounds like a fab combination!

    Reply

  15. Chels+R.

    I got that too-cake vs. bread! I brought some of my pumpkin bread to one of the ladies in the church and she kept calling it cake and I kept trying to correct her, lol!

    Reply

    • Jocelyn Brubaker

      That's too funny!! 😉 Only us crazy bakers, right?!

      Reply

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Chocolate Pumpkin Bread Recipe - Inside BruCrew Life (2024)

FAQs

Why is the inside of my pumpkin bread not cooking? ›

Setting the Oven Temperature Is Too Hot

If your oven runs hot, your bread is likely to brown and bake up on the outside before the center has a chance to fully cook. Invest in a simple oven thermometer to help verify the temperature. Make sure you have other bread baking essentials in your kitchen, too.

What happens if you put too much pumpkin in pumpkin bread? ›

You might think you could overcome the lack of flavor by adding more pumpkin purée to your recipe, but you'd be mistaken: By the time you've added enough purée to taste it, your baked good would have a soggy texture on account of all that moisture.

How do I keep my pumpkin bread from sinking in the middle? ›

If your oven isn't up to temperature consistently during the baking time, you may experience sunken cakes or loaves. Use an oven thermometer to gauge the accuracy of your oven. At the very least, try waiting 10 minutes after the oven has beeped to signify it has preheated before actually baking anything.

How long will pumpkin bread last in the refrigerator? ›

Storage: Pumpkin bread does not need to be refrigerated. Make sure it's cooled completely and store tightly wrapped in a cool dry place for up to 4 days. If it lasts longer than that, put in the fridge for up to 7 days.

What to do if bread is not cooked inside? ›

It is pretty simple to salvage an undercooked bread and create a decent loaf. Heat the oven to 350 F, return the bread to the oven, and bake for another 10 to 20 minutes. This will work even if the loaf has cooled, which is similar to par-baking bread.

Why is my bread so doughy in the middle? ›

If the bread is kept in its baking pan, it will become soggy and look and taste doughy. If the bread has not finished baking by the maximum time indicated in the recipe, the oven thermostat may be off. Oven thermostats can vary over time, requiring adjustments by the baker or calibration by a professional.

Is heavy cream or evaporated milk better for pumpkin pie? ›

During my testing of pumpkin pies, I tried lots of different milk options – heavy whipping cream, regular milk (I used 2% in my testing), sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk. Ultimately, I found heavy whipping cream to be the best. It produced the creamiest pie in my opinion.

Why is my pumpkin bread gooey in the middle? ›

Your pumpkin bread is underdone when you find the middle is still uncooked. The exterior may look fully baked, but unless you check the middle by using a toothpick or cake tester, there's no way to know if the interior is done.

What happens if I put too much evaporated milk in my pumpkin pie? ›

Pies with too much evaporated milk formed blisters on top.

Though the interior of the filling had a great, creamy texture. The flavor was ever-so-slightly muted and had a hint of milkiness to it.

Why did my pumpkin bread come out gummy? ›

If your pumpkin spice bread is gummy or undercooked in the center, it's typically because it either 1) needed more time to bake in the oven or 2) the batter was too wet, which led the bread to collapse in on itself a bit (this happens if you measure ingredients by volume, rather than by weight: it's easy to ...

Why did my pumpkin bread come out dry? ›

There are a number of reasons your pumpkin bread came out dry. It's possible the particular flour you used was extra “thirsty” for liquid. Try cutting the amount of flour, or adding more milk. It's also possible your oven was too hot, or you baked the pumpkin bread for too long.

Why is my pumpkin bread so dense? ›

Why is My Pumpkin Bread So Dense? Pumpkin bread can become dense if there is not enough hydration or wet ingredients in the recipe. Another cause is overcooking the bread which can cause it to dry out.

Is pumpkin bread good after a week? ›

HOW DO I STORE PUMPKIN BREAD AND FOR HOW LONG? Place in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag for up to 4 days. To freeze, wrap in heavy-duty foil or plastic wrap and then place in a tightly sealed container or heavy-duty resealable freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Can pumpkin bread be left out overnight? ›

Should Pumpkin Bread be Refrigerated? Pumpkin bread stores fabulously well at room temperature due to the pumpkin and oil. It does not need to be refrigerated unless you want to make it last an entire week.

What is the best way to wrap pumpkin bread? ›

Plastic wrap will make especially moist quick breads (pumpkin, banana) gummy, while aluminum foil tends to crinkle and looks a little too pulled-from-the-freezer. Waxed paper or parchment is the way to go here. Waxed paper balances form and function -- it's the designer sofa of kitchen wraps, if you will.

Why is the middle of my pumpkin pie not cooking? ›

Why this happens: The pie was underbaked, or the oven temperature wasn't high enough. This is another problem that can occur when you haven't baked a pumpkin pie long enough, or if the oven temperature wasn't high enough.

Why is the inside of my pumpkin dry? ›

Avoid Candles

The flame inside a pumpkin will cause the interior to dry out, which means it will rot faster. Instead, use a flickering battery-operated light. Don't let your precious pumpkin carving time and effort go to waste: Using these essential tips and products are how to make pumpkins last longer.

How do you soften the inside of a pumpkin? ›

Stovetop: Fill a large saucepan with ½ inch water and place a steamer basket inside. Cut the pumpkin halves into large pieces that will fit in the steamer basket. Cover and steam the pumpkin over medium-low heat 25 to 30 minutes, or until the flesh feels soft when pierced with the tip of a knife.

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