Pumpkin Bread with Struesel Topping

Fall is officially here and that can only mean one thing in my household: I'm busy in the kitchen making every pumpkin dessert that pops into my head.  My husband and I absolutely love pumpkin desserts and our love for them has only become greater overtime.  In particular, I'm a sucker for pumpkin bread because it happens to be what my husband and I ate with our coffee and hot chocolate on our first date.  I know, I'm too sentimental.  Over the years, I've made several different varieties, but my recipe for pumpkin bread with streusel topping is by far my favorite.  The pumpkin bread is incredibly moist, and it is perfectly contrasted with the crunchy streusel topping.  The combination is simply divine!

Ingredients

Pumpkin Bread

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp of pumpkin pie spice OR
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ginger
• 1/4 tsp of cloves
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup softened butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/4 cup milk

Streusel Topping

• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 Tbsp softened butter
• 1 tsp cinnamon 
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degF.
2.  Begin by making the batter for the pumpkin bread.
     a. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices in a mixing bowl.  Set aside.
     b. Beat butter and sugar together until creamy.
     c. Beat in eggs one at a time, until combined.
     d. Stir in pumpkin and milk.
     c. Slowly add dry flour mixture to wet mixture.  Mix until combined.
3.  Then, make the streusel topping.
     a. Add sugar, flour, and butter into a small bowl and mix with a fork until crumbly.
     b. Add cinnamon and pumpkin seeds stir.
4.  Pour pumpkin bread batter into greased bread pan.
5.  Top batter with streusel topping.  Press down lightly.
6.  Bake at 350 degF for 55-60 min.
7.  Allow to cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.

While the bread is baking, it will fill your house with the smell of pumpkin spice.  It's so difficult to wait a few minutes before cutting into it after smelling the aroma for an hour, but it's worth it.

Most likely, you will devour the pumpkin bread quickly.  Though, if you do have leftovers, this pumpkin bread actually gets better overtime.  Store the bread in plastic wrap, and the bread will become even more moist, while the streusel will retain its crunch.

I wish you a happy fall! Enjoy!