Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread-perfectly spiced homemade pumpkin bread with chocolate chips. Everyone’s favorite fall quick bread recipe!
I love fall for many reasons, but Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread is at the top of the list, along with Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars. There is nothing better than pumpkin AND chocolate!
This homemade pumpkin bread is easy to whip up and tastes better than any pumpkin bread you can get at a bakery. And the best part? It makes TWO large loaves (9×5-inch size), so you can share one with a friend, stash it in the freezer for later, or enjoy it all by yourself because one loaf never lasts long. It is SO good!
This bread is great for breakfast, brunch, snack time, dessert, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or anytime! Obviously, it is extra delicious during the fall months, but I do make it year-round and no one complains.
Pumpkin Puree vs. Pumpkin Pie Filling
This recipe calls for pumpkin puree (100% pure pumpkin), not pumpkin pie filling! Pumpkin puree is made with just pumpkin, while pumpkin pie filling has all kinds of ingredients and flavors added in. Double check your cans and make sure you have the right stuff!
Pumpkin Bread Spices
This is the perfect blend of spices for creating the best pumpkin flavor! I’ve included a combination of…
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Ginger
- Cloves
These spices together create a warm, nostalgic flavor that’s just incredible with the pumpkin. If you have pre-made pumpkin pie spice, you can use 2 tablespoons instead of the mix of spices, but personally I like adding the spices individually because I think the flavor is better.
Chocolate Chips & More
I love using semi-sweet chocolate chips in my pumpkin bread, but you can also use the following! It’s fun to mix it up!
- Milk chocolate chips
- Dark chocolate chunks or chips
- White chocolate chips
- Butterscotch chips
- Cinnamon chips
- Walnuts, pecans, or even candied pecans
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread Tips
Below are my tips for creating the perfect Pumpkin Chocolate Bread. It’s fluffy, moist, and filled with seasonal pumpkin flavor!
- Have your buttermilk and eggs at room temperature. Pull them out before you begin baking so they can rest for a bit. You can run your eggs under warm water to speed this process or set them in a bowl of warm water. If you don’t have buttermilk, use regular milk with a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes before mixing it in.
- There are a couple ingredients that give this pumpkin bread the perfect, moist texture: pumpkin (of course!), buttermilk, brown sugar, and eggs.
- Don’t overmix the batter! Mix by hand and just until everything is incorporated and no more. Gently fold in the chocolate chips, again making sure you’re only mixing as much as absolutely necessary.
- Grease your loaf pans really well. You want each baked loaf to easily come out of the pan.
- Reserve some of the chocolate chips for the tops of your loaves. The chocolate chips make the bread extra beautiful and you can’t go wrong with more chocolate.
- I also like to sprinkle turbinado sugar on top of each loaf. This gives each slice of pumpkin bread a sugary-sweet crunch. Don’t skip this step. It’s SO yummy!
- If the top of your bread is browning too quickly, tent a piece of aluminum foil on top. This will let the middle continue to cook while slowing the browning on top!
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes and then carefully remove it. Let it cool completely before slicing. I know it is hard to wait, but worth it!
How to Store
Once baked and cooled, you can wrap the loaf in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and store on the counter at room temperature for 3 to 5 days.
You can also freeze the bread, which is so nice since this recipe makes two loaves. I love having one in the freezer for a rainy day.
To freeze, wrap the cooled loaf in plastic wrap AND aluminum foil and freeze for up to three months. I always label and date my bread so I know what it is. Defrost before slicing and serving.
You can also freeze individual slices if you want a quick grab and go pumpkin treat from the freezer.
More Pumpkin Recipes
- Pumpkin Bread
- Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Pumpkin French Toast
- Pumpkin Cinnamon Cookies
- Pumpkin Pancakes
- Pumpkin Cookies
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 15 ounces 100% pure pumpkin
- 1 cup vegetable oil or canola oil
- 2/3 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature and beaten
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups chocolate chips, divided
- 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar, for sprinkling on bread
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9×5-inch loaf pans with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the sugars, pumpkin, oil, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined, being careful to not over mix.
- Fold in 1 ½ cups chocolate chips, reserving ¼ cup for the tops of the loaves.
- Evenly divide batter between the prepared pans. Sprinkle the loaves with remaining chocolate chips and sprinkle evenly with turbinado sugar.
- Bake for 50 to 65 minutes, or until browned and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center of the loaf. If the loaves are browning too quickly, you can loosely tent them with foil so the middle can keep baking.
- Remove loaves from oven and cool in pans on a wire rack for 15 minutes. With a knife, go around the bread and loosen the loaves. Remove from pan and cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?
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Photos by Molly, Yes to Yolks.
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Amazzzzing. My go to pumpkin bread recipe. Everyone who tries it loves it. Thank you!
2 teaspoons of ground ginger was too much. The cake is too spicy, all I can taste is ginger. Disappointed.
I did not make this recipe, but it looks exactly like the recipe that we have used in the family for over 40 years for sure. I make it every year, but I make it plain but add chopped walnuts. I have made it with the chocolate chips and the walnuts also. But what an awesome recipe and it is so good. I give them away at the holidays. I gave to to a friend of mine, one with the chocolate chips and one plane, and she was so disgusted with herself cuz she ate one whole loaf by herself in a day and it was a good-sized glass loaf dish. Matter fact I just might make one tonight cuz I have been thinking about it. Everyone will enjoy this bread. I’m originally from Massachusetts, and can still picture myself in my late mother’s kitchen baking mini loaves of them. Enjoy the bread is delicious
A fall favorite!
My go to recipe for the start of every fall!
This turned out great and I liked that it makes 3 full size loafs. I froze 2 for later. I used 1 generous cup of choc chips and about 1/3 cup dark choc nibs I found at Trader Joe’s. I noticed the newer recipe on your site only makes one loaf and has slightly different spice mix. I like the idea of adding ginger to the spice mix
Glad you like the recipe!
I’m not a big pumpkin fan but this recipe is AWESOME! just enough pumpkin, perfect amount of chocolate. I used miniature chocolate chips (what I had on hand) and saved some to sprinkle on top. Made 2 loaves and some muffins (about half the cook time). But everything else, I followed exactly!
I made this bread & gave it as Christmas gifts.
Could you use pumpkin pie spice blend in the recipe instead of all the individuals? If so, what would the measurements be for it?
I love this recipe! My husband eats most of it by himself !
Question: Can you make these into muffins? That way it’s more grab and go? How long should I cook them for?
Yes, bake for 20 minutes…they might need a few minutes longer depending on your oven.
I’ve made this every fall for the last four years! My go to recipe to start the best season. I make it for family, friends, neighbors, teachers, and the kid’s bus driver! Being able to make three loaves at once is amazing! Everyone looks forward to it every year. Thank you so much!
Hi,
Where I live doesn’t sell anything but pumpkin pie filling. What suggestions would you make to get similar flavours ?
Thanks!
Maegan
You need pure pumpkin puree. You can always make your own with real pumpkins. Or try ordering online?
You can use any cooked, mashed orange squash. Butternut squash works great! Cut the squash up, remove the seeds, microwave until soft, remove skin, then use 2 cups of the mashed squash in place of the pumpkin puree. (If your mashed squash has a lot of water in it, just decrease the amount of oil or other liquid you put into the recipe.)
Pumpkin with chocolate … any chance to be good? Of course!
https://marmitafitcursos.com
Did you update/change this recipe? I don’t recall using buttermilk and it used to make 3 loaves, not 2.
The original recipe was from 2009 and I thought it needed a little updating. Both recipes are really good, but I like the new one better. If you prefer the original, please see the notes in the recipe card. The original recipe is there:) Enjoy!
Oh my goodness, thank you for asking this! I thought I was going crazy. I have made this recipe, easily, 50 times and I knew it didn’t have brown sugar or buttermilk in it before. I must have checked my Pinterest pin 5 times thinking I was clicking on the wrong one. I did use the brown sugar but still used water because I didn’t have buttermilk. It was great, as usual!!! Love this recipe and so does everyone I make it for!
Sorry for the confusion, I updated the photos and recipe since it was from 2009. It was time. The original is in the notes if you want it, it is a great recipe, but I like the new one a little bit better:) Glad you loved it!
Recipe was waaaaayyyyyy too sweet
Don’t think that much sugar was needed
Great recipe!! I made one large loaf, and three mini-loaves since my daughter LOVES anything “mini”(and plus it makes it easy to share the yumminess with friends!).
I made it a little healthier by substituting 1 1/2 C whole wheat flour and 1/2 C ground flaxseed for the A/P flour. And, it was delicious! I really like the add of the turbinado sugar on top–makes it sparkly and crispy! Thanks for another winner!
Thanks for sharing the changes you made! So glad you loved it!
I made this last week. It is serious good. Our power went out when it was baking. I’m like NOOOOOOOO. I had my husband fire up the gas grill and finished the last ten min of baking indirectly on it. It still turned out amazing.
I am glad you were able to save it! Whew:)
I see that you’ve updated the recipe! I have no doubt that it’s delicious, but I was in love with the original recipe that made 3 loaves. Are you able to share that?!
Thank you for including the old version. I almost had a heart attack when I saw the updated version included buttermilk. I’m not a fancy baker — I don’t have buttermilk on hand. I may try the updated version at some point but the old version is a hit with all my friends and family and I’ve been using it for about 8 years now.
Ha! Both are really good. You can’t go wrong:)
Fabulous pumpkin bread. The best!
I think it is the best too:)
Can you substitute with dark brown sugar? Thanks!
So good!! I added a 1/2 cup chopped walnuts..yummy!
Moist, chocolatie, and pumpkin! Lost my go to pumpkin bread recipe and the ingredients in this recipe looked like a winner – and it is. I followed the recipe step by step and used the ingredients listed for the updated recipe – PERFECT!! Just what I was hoping for!
Moist, chocolatie, and pumpkin! Lost my go to pumpkin bread recipe and the ingredients in this recipe looked like a winner – and it is. I followed the recipe step by step and used the ingredients listed for the updated recipe – PERFECT!! Just what I was hoping for!
So delicious!! Made one loaf , 6 large muffins and 10 regular sized muffins. Put walnuts in the loaf, mini chocolate chips on the small muffins and kept the large ones plain. Turbinado sugar on top made them extra scrumptious!!
Thanks for the great recipe
Perfect! I am glad you enjoyed the recipe!
The spices are just overwhelming! What a waste of so many ingredients! Not to mention the waste of pumpkin I grew myself!!
Great recipe! It’s a family favorite on Halloween. Love the buttermilk addition.
Still love this….but, our family liked the older recipe better. Thank you for still providing access to both!
This recipe is soooo yummy! We doubled it and made 2 loaf pans, 1 bundt pan, and 12 muffins worth of deliciousness! The muffins took about 30 minutes to bake and the other three took just about the whole 65 minutes. Thanks so much for sharing!
I baked the loaves on one rack in the oven. One was perfect and the other raw right in the center. What’d I do wrong?
This bread is awesome! I first made it for thanksgiving. Left 1 loaf here for my son & took the other to my daughters house. Everyone loved it! My son told me that he’d rather have this bread than a cake for his b day, which is on the 31st. Haha that’ll be easy enough. Very moist. Loved the crunch on top from the sugar. It’s perfection!
Ha! SO happy he loves it. I would take this over cake too:)
You had a similar recipe that made 3 loaves of bread, but I can’t find it now.
See the notes in the recipe card for the old one.
Love the taste but all of our chocolate chips sunk to the bottom and it was very difficult to get out of the pan because of this. Why would that happen?
Loved the original. I will try this version but can I use plain yogurt instead of buttermilk?
Yogurt should be fine. See the notes for the original recipe.
Why did you change this recipe?? I have been making your recipe for YEARS and it never used buttermilk before. I’m now sitting down to make it and of course I don’t have buttermilk … so I guess I won’t be making it. Disappointed! If you wanted to make a new recipe – fine – make a new one – but why did you have to change something that was already perfect?
If you prefer the original recipe, please see the NOTES section in the recipe card. The recipe is there:)
I have a Wilton with 4 small loaves in it. Do you think I would I bake this bread at the same length of time as the large loaf pan?
If you are doing a small loaf you will need to reduce the baking time.
I don’t know if it was the buttermilk or brown/white sugar, but this was the moistest (is that a word) pumpkin bread I have ever made. It was the BEST. Still getting request for it.
I am so glad you love our recipe! Thanks for sharing.
So happy I found this recipe. Made 24 muffins instead of loaves and they turned out absolutely delicious. Had my own pumpkin spice blend and used 2 tbsp. Definitely a keeper recipe, thanks for sharing
Can the spices be replaced for pumpkin spice powder ? If so, how much would I need to add ?
Yes, I would guess a tablespoon. Maybe start with that and taste the batter.
LOVE this recipe!! I want to try and make it into mini loaf pans for holiday gifts – any advice on suggested baking time for mini loaf pans???
You need to reduce the baking time. Check at 25 minutes, but it might take a little longer.
Followed the recipe exactly and wouldn’t change a thing! Made two large beautifully formed and scrumptiously delicious moist loaves. This one’s a definite keeper
Glad you loved the bread.