Ingredients
Method
Method
- 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.
- If desired, line the bottoms and long sides with strips of parchment paper, leaving a little overhang for easier removal.
- Arrange the pans on a large rimmed baking sheet, leaving space between them for even air circulation.
- Prepare the Cinnamon Swirl: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour reserved for the swirl.
- Add the melted, slightly cooled butter and stir with a fork until the mixture resembles moist, coarse crumbs.
- Set aside: The mixture should be crumbly rather than runny, making it easier to distribute between the layers of pumpkin batter.
- 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.
- Whisk thoroughly so the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
- Add the vegetable oil, pumpkin puree, milk, and vanilla extract. Whisk until everything is thoroughly combined and the mixture has a uniform orange color.
- 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.
- Avoid excessive mixing, which can develop too much gluten and make the bread tough.
- Add the First Layer of Batter: Divide approximately half of the pumpkin batter evenly among the four prepared mini loaf pans.
- Spread the batter gently into the corners using the back of a spoon or a small spatula.
- Each pan should have an even bottom layer.
- Add the Cinnamon Filling: Reserve approximately 2 tablespoons of the cinnamon mixture for the topping.
- Divide the remaining cinnamon mixture evenly among the four pans, sprinkling it over the first layer of pumpkin batter.
- Keep the filling slightly away from the edges of the pans to reduce the chance of the sugar sticking during baking.
- Add the Remaining Batter: Divide the remaining pumpkin batter evenly among the four pans, carefully spreading it over the cinnamon filling.
- Smooth the tops gently without mixing the two layers together.
- The pans should be approximately two-thirds full, leaving enough room for the bread to rise.
- 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.
- Avoid excessive swirling, which can cause the cinnamon filling to disappear into the pumpkin batter instead of forming distinct ribbons.
- Sprinkle the reserved cinnamon mixture evenly over the four loaves.
- Bake the Mini Loaves: Place the baking sheet with the mini loaf pans on the center oven rack.
- 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.
- Avoid inserting the toothpick directly into a cinnamon-sugar pocket, which can make a fully baked loaf appear wet.
- If the tops begin browning too quickly, loosely tent the pans with aluminum foil during the final minutes of baking.
- Cool in the Pans: Remove the mini loaves from the oven and place the pans on a wire rack.
- Allow them to cool in their pans for 10 minutes. The bread will firm up slightly, making it easier to remove without breaking.
- Remove and Finish Cooling: Carefully remove the mini loaves from their pans and transfer them directly to the wire rack.
- Let them cool for another 20 minutes before slicing.
- The crumb should be soft and fully set, with visible cinnamon ribbons and a lightly crisp sugar topping.
