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Easy Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread Recipe

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This Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread is simple to make and perfectly spiced with warm spice flavors. 


If you’re looking for the perfect pumpkin bread recipe, look no further! 

It’s wonderfully moist with a tender crumb.

There is a rectangular white dish with a loaf of golden brown bread. There are three sliced pieces and a knife resting on the dish. The dish is on a dark gray surface.

A warm slice of Downeast Maine Pumpkin is delicious for breakfast, brunch, or snacking.


 It is one of the best pumpkin bread recipes you will make! 

Downeast Pumpkin Bread Ingredients 

There are two large white bowls. One with white flour in it, the other one has orange mashed pumpkin in it. There is four medium size bowls. One bowl has four brown eggs. One has light yellow oil in it. One has white sugar in it. One has light brown sugar in it. There is a clear glass measuring cup with water in it. There are four very small glass bowls. Each of them has a brown ground spice in it. There are two very small metal bowls. One with white sugar and one with salt in it. There is a small white dish with brown liquid in it. Items are on a dark gray surface.

This Recipe Makes Two Loaves

  • Pureed pumpkin (see FAQ’s)
  • Large eggs (see Top Tips)
  • Vegetable oil
  • Cold water
  • Vanilla extract
  • White sugar
  • Light brown sugar
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Ground nutmeg
  • Ground cloves 
  • Ground ginger
  • All purpose flour
  • Salt 
  • Baking soda
  • Cooking spray

Helpful Tools And Equipment

  • Large bowl (Qty 2)
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Whisk or electric mixer
  • Loaf pans (see FAQ’s)
  • Wire rack
  • Rubber spatula
  • Oven mitts
  • Cake tester or toothpick

Great Pumpkin Bread Recipe Instructions

There are six small rectangular pans attached together. There is a loaf of brown bread in each of the pans. The pans are resting on a black wire rack. The rack is on a dark gray surface.
  • Gather all the ingredients.
  • Preheat oven.
  • Lightly grease pans. 
There is a large white bowl with orange mashed pumpkin in it and a gray spatula is resting in the bowl. There is a clear glass measuring cup with water in it. There are four white medium size bowls. One has white sugar in it. One has light yellow oil in it. One has yellow egg mixture in it. One has light brown sugar in it. There is a small white bowl with a dark brown liquid in it. Items are on a dark gray surface.
There is a large white bowl with pumpkin pureed, water, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil in it. There is a gray rubber spatula resting in the bowl. There are three small white bowls in front. One has slightly beaten eggs in it, one has light brown sugar in it, and one has white sugar in it. Bowls are on a dark gray surface.

Prepare The Wet Ingredients

  • In a large mixing bowl mix together the canned pumpkin, water, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
There is a large clear glass mixing bowl with light orange pureed pumpkin mixture in it and slightly beaten eggs on top of it. Bowl is on a dark gray surface.
There is a large clear glass mixing bowl with light orange pureed pumpkin mixture in it. There is beaten eggs and four small piles of brown ground spices on top of the mixture. Bowl is on a dark gray surface.
  • Next add both sugars and the slightly beaten eggs.
  • Add the spices.
  • Mix until thoroughly smooth.
There is a large white bowl with white flour in it. There are two very small metal bowls. One has white sugar in it, the other one has white salt in it. There is a metal whisk laying next to the bowls. Items are on a dark gray surface.
There is a white bowl with white flour in it. There is a metal whisk resting in the bowl. The bowl is on a dark gray surface.

Prepare The Dry Ingredients

  • In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. 
  • Whisk together breaking up any clumps.
There is a large clear glass mixing bowl with light orange bread batter in it and white flour on top of some of the batter. There is a metal whisk resting in the bowl. In the background there is a white bowl with white flour in it. The bowls are on a dark gray surface.
There is a large clear glass mixing bowl with light orange bread batter in it. There is a metal whisk resting in the bowl. The bowl is on a dark gray surface.

Combine The Batter

  • Add the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture. (see Top Tips)
  • Stir just until combined, being careful not to over mix.
There is a clear glass rectangular baking dish with a light orange bread batter in it. The baking dish is on a dark gray surface.
There are six small rectangular pans attached together. There is light orange bread batter in each of the pans. The pans are on a dark gray surface.

Bake The Bread

  • Divide the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan(s).
  • Place in preheated oven and bake. (see FAQ’s)
There is a clear glass rectangular baking dish with a baked light brown loaf of pumpkin bread. The baking dish is on a black wire rack. The rack is on a dark gray surface.

Test The Center Of The Loaf

  • Insert a toothpick or cake tester into the top of the bread in the center. 
  • The bread is done baking when it comes out clean.
  • Let the delicious loaves cool on a wire rack before slicing or frosting.

See recipe card below for complete details.

There is a large white rectangular tray with 3 small loaves of light brown pumpkin bread. The one one the left has white cream drizzled over the top. The center loaf has light brown sauce drizzled over the top. The one on the right has white frosting on it. All three loaves have small green pumpkin seeds on top. In the background there is a small white bowl with light brown sauce in it. There is a silver spoon resting in the bowl. Items are on a dark gray surface.

Serving Suggestions

  • Enjoy a warm slice of Downeast Main Pumpkin Bread with homemade butter, a drizzle of caramel syrup, cream cheese frosting, or a maple glaze. 
  • For a special treat a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a few pumpkin seeds, yum!!

Top Tips

  • Eggs at room temperature whip easier which help cakes and baked goods rise for a fluffier and less dense cake or bread.
  • When mixing the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, add about a cup at a time. This will be make it easier for the ingredients blend together.
  • If the top of the bread starts to get too brown before fully baked, loosely tent the pan with aluminum foil.

How to Store Pumpkin Bread

  • Let the bread completely cool, then wrap it in plastic wrap, aluminum foil or place in an airtight container.
  • Store it in a cool, dry place for up to four days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
There are three small light brown loaves of pumpkin bread. Each one is in a clear plastic bag that has tiny white dots on it. Each bag is tied close with a piece of brown thick string. Loaves are on a round metal plate. Plate is on a white marbled surface.

 Maine Pumpkin Bread is on of those easy quick bread recipes, full of autumn flavors and ideal holiday gift for friends!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is It Called Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread?

The origin of this great old Maine recipe is not clear. It is a known fact that pumpkin bread has been very popular in Maine for decades. 

The eastern most regions of Maine generally are referred to as Downeast  or Down East Maine. 

It’s starts in Bar Harbor and continues northeast up along the Canadian border.  

What Is The Difference Between Pureed Pumpkin And Pumpkin Pie Filling?

Pumpkin puree is cooked pure pumpkin that is pureed ready to use, it might contain a touch of salt, but nothing else.

Pumpkin pie filling is the cooked pureed pumpkin, with added spices and perhaps some sugar, and flavorings like vanilla. It is ready to make into a pie or dessert.

What Type Of Pan Can I Use To Bake Pumpkin Bread?

You can use a 9×5-inch loaf pans or decorative bundt pans.

Pumpkin muffins can be made with this recipe as well as mini loaves. The baking time will be shorter, about 20 minutes.

Bread baked in a glass loaf pan usually bakes slower and may need to be tented with aluminum foil and baked a few minutes longer.

Do You Like This Awesome Recipe? Then check out these other side dishes perfect for Thanksgiving dinner!

Yield: 24 slices

Easy Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread Recipe

There is a rectangular white dish with a loaf of golden brown bread. There are three sliced pieces and a knife resting on the dish. The dish is on a dark gray surface.

This Downeast Maine pumpkin bread is simple to make and perfectly spiced with warm spice flavors. If you're looking for the perfect pumpkin bread recipe, look no further!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 1 can of pureed pumpkin - 15 ounces
  • 4 large eggs - room temperature (see Top Tips)
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 and 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 1 and 1/2 cups brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 3 and 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Gather all the ingredients.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees f / 180 degrees c.
  3. Lightly grease pans. 
  4. In a large mixing bowl mix together the canned pumpkin, water, vegetable oil ,and vanilla extract.
  5. Next add both sugars and the slightly beaten eggs.
  6. Add the ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, and ground cloves.
  7. Mix until thoroughly smooth.
  8. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. 
  9. Whisk together breaking up any clumps.
  10. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture. (see Top Tips)
  11. Stir just until combined, being careful not to over mix.
  12. Divide the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
  13. Place in preheated oven and bake.
  14. Baking Time: 50 minutes for a loaf pan. 20 minutes for muffins and mini loafs.
  15. Insert a toothpick or cake tester into the top of the bread in the center. 
  16. The bread is done baking when it comes out clean.
  17. Let the delicious pumpkin bread cool on a wire rack before slicing or frosting.

Notes

Helpful Tool And Equipment

  • Large mixing bowls (2)
  • Small mixing bowl 
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Whisk or electric mixer
  • Loaf pans (see FAQ's)
  • Wire rack
  • Rubber spatula
  • Oven mitts
  • Cake tester or toothpick

Serving Suggestions

  • Enjoy a warm slice of Downeast Main Pumpkin Bread with homemade butter, a drizzle of caramel syrup, cream cheese frosting, or a maple glaze. 
  • For a special treat a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a few pumpkin seeds, yum!!

How to Store Pumpkin Bread

  • Let the bread completely cool, then wrap it in plastic wrap, aluminum foil or place in an airtight container.
  • Store it in a cool, dry place for up to four days, or in the refrigerator for up to a  week.

Top Tips

  • Eggs at room temperature whip easier which help cakes and baked goods rise for a fluffier and less dense cake or bread.
  • When mixing the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, add about a cup at a time. This will be make it easier for the ingredients blend together.
  • If the top of the bread starts to get too brown before fully baked, loosely tent the pan with aluminum foil.

Did you make this recipe?

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


© Laura @ Join me in the Kitchen
Cuisine: American / Category: Breakfast

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