Chocolate pumpkin bread is the perfect fall quick bread for chocolate lovers! This pumpkin loaf is decadent and delish!
This chocolate pumpkin bread is patterned after my Chocolate Zucchini Bread. But it has elements of my favorite Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread in there, too. I’m a huge fan of pumpkin in desserts, the puree adds such amazing flavor and moistness to cake etc., and this is no exception.
chocolate pumpkin bread ingredients
- canned pumpkin
- canned pumpkin is better for baking than fresh pumpkin puree because it’s more consistent, and has a thicker texture.
- vegetable oil
- eggs
- dark chocolatechips
- this recipe uses chocolate in three ways: cocoa powder and chocolate chips in the batter, and chocolate chips again for the ganache. You can use good quality chocolate chips like I did, or chop bar or baking chocolate.
- cream
- cream combined with chocolate makes the ganache frosting.
- flour
- cocoa powder
- I used Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa, a Dutched cocoa, to create this super dark bread.
- sugar
- baking soda and salt
- spices: nutmeg, allspice, cardamom, and ginger
- or use a readymade pumpkin pie spice.
let’s talk ganache!
Ganache is a delicious combination of chocolate and cream. Simply melt them together and magic happens. The ganache frosting is utterly simple, and has to be one of the most utterly outrageous things you will ever put in your mouth. I use chocolate chips for convenience, but good quality. I like dark or bittersweet for the best flavor.
Tip: ganache will thicken as it cools, so if yours seems thin, refrigerate it.
how long will chocolate pumpkin bread keep?
Your bread will last several days, and will need to be refrigerated because of the ganache topping.
want to use fresh pumpkin puree?
If you want to make fresh pumpkin puree, take a small eating pumpkin and cut it in half. Scoop out the seeds and set face down on an oiled baking sheet. Bake at 350 until it’s tender when pierced. Scoop out the pulp and puree in a blender or processor till smooth. This will be thinner than canned pumpkin, so you’ll want to drain it or cook it in a saucepan to reduce excess moisture.
Chocolate Pumpkin Bread
Equipment
- standard 9×5 loaf pan
Ingredients
dry ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder, sifted (use Dutched cocoa or Hershey’s Special Dark)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp each of nutmeg, allspice, cardamom, and ginger
wet ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
fold in
- 1 cup chocolate chips
ganache topping
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F
- Spray a standard 9×5 loaf pan with cooking spray and line with a sheet of parchment paper (so you can lift your pumpkin bread out easily for slicing.)
- Whisk the dry ingredients together in a bowl.
- Whisk the wet ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Add the dry to to the wet and mix until just blended. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Turn the batter into the prepared pan, and bake for about 45 minutes, or until risen and a toothpick comes out without wet batter clinging to it ~ moist crumbs are fine.
- Let the cake cool for 10 minutes, then carefully lift it out and let cool on a rack.
- When the cake is cooled, frost it with a thick layer of ganache.
- To make the ganache, heat the cream to a simmer, then pour over the chocolate chips. Let sit for 3 minutes, then stir until glossy and smooth. If your ganache is not thick enough to spread, refrigerate it for 10 minutes.
Nutrition
This looks amazing, those photos ? with the gooey chocolate…YUM!
Will be making for Halloween with excess pumpkin puree ??
Thanks so much, it’s hard to make all that chocolate look bad 😉
Can I substitute pumpkin pie spice for the nutmeg, allspice. ginger and cardamom mix and if so how much
That’s fine, Laurie, and you can use the same amount, about 1 1/2 tsp.
I took this to a party and everyone raved about it. It is so rich. Thank you for sharing it.
I’m so happy to hear it, Codi ~ it’s great to hear about multiple thumbs up!
Can I use almond flour as a substitute for regular flour?
This recipe isn;t formulated for that, Donna, so I really can’t say if it would work. You might do better using a good gluten free baking mix instead.
I sure wish I’d seen this recipe a few days ago. I followed a recipe for a chocolate loaf that turned out to be bogus. Yours looks amazing.
I made this today with my daughter after seeing it on Foodgawker. It was easy to make & delicious. I didn’t make the frosting, (too lazy) but I didn’t miss it. It’s moist & tasty, not too sweet, perfect. Will def make again.
Thanks so much for stopping by to let me know Calliope (love your name!) It’s nice to know this can stand on its own without the frosting.
Such a dreamy bread, that ganache topping looks out of this world!
Oh you can tell by the color alone that this is rich and wonderful, loving all the changes this time of year, especially in the kitchen:)
I’m so with you on that Cheri, love this season <3
Yes! So much yes! I love the dark color of this. Perfect for Halloween. Thanks so much for sharing!
I didn’t think about Halloween, but you’re right!
Oh Lord! I can’t wait to try this one! Just looking at it could surely cause “death by chocolate”! Gorgeous!!!
lol!