If you’re craving a cozy treat that wraps the flavors of fall into every bite, this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Streusel Bread Recipe is an absolute must-try. Bursting with rich pumpkin flavor, pockets of melty chocolate chips, and a delightfully crunchy cinnamon streusel topping, this bread strikes the perfect balance between moist and crumbly. Whether you’re baking for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or dessert, this vegan-friendly bread will quickly become one of your favorite seasonal delights to share with family and friends.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The secret to this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Streusel Bread Recipe’s incredible flavor and texture lies in its simple, wholesome ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role, whether it’s creating a tender crumb, imparting warmth with spices, or adding that irresistible chocolatey goodness.
- Vegan butter (streusel topping): Softened to easily combine with dry ingredients for the perfect crumbly texture.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of both the batter and streusel, providing structure and that classic bread texture.
- Brown sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and moisture to both streusel and batter.
- Granulated sugar (streusel topping): Brings a subtle sweetness and helps create a crunchy topping.
- Cinnamon: Warms up the loaf with its fragrant spice, essential in the streusel and batter.
- Pumpkin purée: The star ingredient that offers moistness and that signature autumn flavor.
- Oil: Keeps the bread tender and moist without weighing it down.
- Maple syrup: Enhances the natural sweetness with a touch of depth and complexity.
- Pumpkin pie spice: A cozy blend that elevates every bite with classic fall seasonings.
- Baking powder and baking soda: These leavening agents help the bread rise beautifully and maintain its lightness.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavors throughout.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks: Sweet pockets of decadent chocolate that complement the pumpkin perfectly.
How to Make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Streusel Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Streusel
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×5 loaf pan. Line it with parchment paper so you’ll easily lift out your loaf once baked – those edges make all the difference! For the streusel topping, mix softened vegan butter with flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon using a fork until it forms a crumbly texture. Pop this mixture in the fridge to chill while you prepare the batter. This chilling step ensures that the streusel crisps up perfectly during baking.
Step 2: Whip Up the Moist Pumpkin Batter
In a large bowl, combine pumpkin purée, oil, brown sugar, and maple syrup until smooth and glossy. Then, sift together flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and gently fold these dry ingredients into your wet mixture. The key here is to mix just until combined to avoid tough bread; overmixing can make your bread dense. Now, fold in the chocolate chips for those lovely pockets of melty sweetness throughout the loaf.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth it evenly with a spatula. Next, generously sprinkle the chilled streusel topping over the batter, pressing lightly to ensure it adheres. Slide your pan into the oven and bake for 55 to 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a cake tester or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with golden brown topping. Let the bread cool for 15 minutes in the pan, then use the parchment edges to lift it out onto a wire rack to cool completely or enjoy warm if you’re impatient like me!
How to Serve Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Streusel Bread Recipe
Garnishes
While splendid on its own, you can dress up this bread with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of vegan vanilla glaze for extra sweetness. A smear of dairy-free butter or a smear of pumpkin cream cheese adds a creamy contrast that makes each bite even more indulgent.
Side Dishes
This bread shines alongside a hot cup of coffee, spiced chai tea, or a creamy latte to bring out its warm spices. For a brunch spread, pair it with fresh fruit salad or a light plant-based yogurt parfait for balance and freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Streusel Bread Recipe the star at your next potluck by slicing it thickly and serving it on a rustic wooden board alongside bowls of nut butters, preserves, or even pumpkin butter. Turn it into a fun dessert by toasting thick slices and topping them with coconut whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon for guests to enjoy their own luscious creations.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover pumpkin bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container at room temperature, and it will stay fresh for up to three days. The flavors actually mellow beautifully overnight, making it even tastier the next day.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy this bread later, slice it first and wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen slices will maintain their flavor and texture for up to three months, allowing you to enjoy a seasonal treat any time you want.
Reheating
For a warm, fresh-from-the-oven experience, toast chilled or frozen slices lightly in a toaster oven or microwave for about 15-20 seconds. This revives the melty chocolate chips and enhances the pumpkin spice aroma, making every bite feel freshly baked all over again.
FAQs
Can I use canned pumpkin for this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Streusel Bread Recipe?
Absolutely! Canned pumpkin purée works perfectly and is actually the most convenient choice for most bakers. Just make sure you’re using 100% pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling which contains added sugars and spices.
Is this bread gluten-free?
The recipe as written uses all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free. However, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends that are suitable for baking. Just be aware that texture may vary slightly.
What makes this bread vegan-friendly?
This recipe uses vegan butter and omits eggs, substituting with ingredients like oil and pumpkin purée to keep the crumb moist and tender without any animal products.
Can I add nuts to the bread?
Yes! Walnuts or pecans pair beautifully with pumpkin and chocolate. Simply fold in about 1/2 cup of chopped nuts into the batter along with your chocolate chips for added crunch and flavor.
How do I substitute pumpkin pie spice?
If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice on hand, you can easily make your own mix by combining 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg. This blend will bring the same warm and cozy flavor to your bread.
Final Thoughts
This Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Streusel Bread Recipe is more than just a loaf; it’s a little slice of seasonal joy that fills your kitchen with the comforting scents of fall while delivering rich, satisfying flavors in every bite. It’s simple enough to whip up any day but flavorful enough to impress your loved ones. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to bake this again and again. So go ahead—grab your ingredients, warm up your oven, and share this delightful bread that tastes just like autumn happiness!
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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Streusel Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 9 slices
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Streusel Bread is perfectly dense and moist, topped with a crunchy cinnamon streusel and studded with melty semi-sweet chocolate chunks. Easy to make and delightfully flavorful, it’s a cozy treat perfect for fall or anytime you crave a sweet, spiced bread.
Ingredients
For the streusel topping
- 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
For the batter
- 1 1/2 cups pumpkin purée
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice*
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks
Instructions
- Preheat and prep the pan: Set your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan. Line it with parchment paper, allowing a 2-inch overhang on the sides for easy bread removal.
- Make the streusel topping: In a small bowl, mix together the softened vegan butter, all purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon using a fork until the mixture becomes crumbly. Chill this streusel mixture in the refrigerator while you prepare the batter.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat the pumpkin purée, oil, brown sugar, and maple syrup together until combined and smooth.
- Add dry ingredients: Sift in the all purpose flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Fold in chocolate: Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks and fold them evenly throughout the batter.
- Assemble the bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Evenly sprinkle the chilled streusel topping over the batter, gently pressing it to adhere.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55 to 60 minutes. The bread is done when a cake tester or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then lift it out using the parchment paper overhang and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, substitute with 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, and 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
