Go Back
–+ servings
Mini Pumpkin Bread with Cinnamon Swirl finished recipe

Mini Pumpkin Bread with Cinnamon Swirl

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 4 mini loaves

Ingredients
  

For the Pumpkin Bread
  • 13/4 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 11/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 large eggs (about 100 g without shells) at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup neutral vegetable oil
  • 1 cup plain pumpkin puree
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Swirl and Topping
  • 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled

Method
 

Method
  1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease four mini loaf pans measuring approximately 5¾ × 3¼ × 2¼ inches each.
  2. If desired, line the bottoms and long sides with strips of parchment paper, leaving a little overhang for easier removal.
  3. Arrange the pans on a large rimmed baking sheet, leaving space between them for even air circulation.
  4. Prepare the Cinnamon Swirl: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour reserved for the swirl.
  5. Add the melted, slightly cooled butter and stir with a fork until the mixture resembles moist, coarse crumbs.
  6. Set aside: The mixture should be crumbly rather than runny, making it easier to distribute between the layers of pumpkin batter.
  7. Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
  8. Whisk thoroughly so the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
  9. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
  10. Add the vegetable oil, pumpkin puree, milk, and vanilla extract. Whisk until everything is thoroughly combined and the mixture has a uniform orange color.
  11. Make the Pumpkin Batter: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, fold gently until no visible streaks of flour remain. The batter should be thick, smooth, and easily spreadable.
  12. Avoid excessive mixing, which can develop too much gluten and make the bread tough.
  13. Add the First Layer of Batter: Divide approximately half of the pumpkin batter evenly among the four prepared mini loaf pans.
  14. Spread the batter gently into the corners using the back of a spoon or a small spatula.
  15. Each pan should have an even bottom layer.
  16. Add the Cinnamon Filling: Reserve approximately 2 tablespoons of the cinnamon mixture for the topping.
  17. Divide the remaining cinnamon mixture evenly among the four pans, sprinkling it over the first layer of pumpkin batter.
  18. Keep the filling slightly away from the edges of the pans to reduce the chance of the sugar sticking during baking.
  19. Add the Remaining Batter: Divide the remaining pumpkin batter evenly among the four pans, carefully spreading it over the cinnamon filling.
  20. Smooth the tops gently without mixing the two layers together.
  21. The pans should be approximately two-thirds full, leaving enough room for the bread to rise.
  22. Create the Cinnamon Swirl: Insert a butter knife or wooden skewer into each loaf and make two or three gentle S-shaped movements through the batter.
  23. Avoid excessive swirling, which can cause the cinnamon filling to disappear into the pumpkin batter instead of forming distinct ribbons.
  24. Sprinkle the reserved cinnamon mixture evenly over the four loaves.
  25. Bake the Mini Loaves: Place the baking sheet with the mini loaf pans on the center oven rack.
  26. Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the tops are golden brown, the loaves have risen, and a toothpick inserted into the pumpkin bread portion comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  27. Avoid inserting the toothpick directly into a cinnamon-sugar pocket, which can make a fully baked loaf appear wet.
  28. If the tops begin browning too quickly, loosely tent the pans with aluminum foil during the final minutes of baking.
  29. Cool in the Pans: Remove the mini loaves from the oven and place the pans on a wire rack.
  30. Allow them to cool in their pans for 10 minutes. The bread will firm up slightly, making it easier to remove without breaking.
  31. Remove and Finish Cooling: Carefully remove the mini loaves from their pans and transfer them directly to the wire rack.
  32. Let them cool for another 20 minutes before slicing.
  33. The crumb should be soft and fully set, with visible cinnamon ribbons and a lightly crisp sugar topping.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!