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Sourdough Pumpkin Apple Bread Recipe

4.8 from 107 reviews

This Sourdough Pumpkin Apple Bread is a moist and flavorful loaf combining the natural tang of sourdough with the sweetness of pumpkin and apple, enhanced by warm spices. Perfect for fall gatherings or a cozy breakfast, this bread uses simple ingredients and a straightforward baking method to create a comforting treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup sourdough starter (active and bubbly)
  • 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 apple, peeled, cored, and finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
  • 2 large eggs

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the bread once the batter is prepared.
  2. Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sourdough starter, pumpkin puree, chopped apple, vegetable oil, maple syrup, and eggs. Whisk together until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the bread tender.
  5. Pour Batter into Pan: Grease a standard 9×5 inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper. Pour the batter evenly into the pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
  6. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  7. Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • If your sourdough starter is very sour or tangy, you might want to reduce the maple syrup slightly to balance the flavors.
  • You can swap out the apple for pears or add nuts like walnuts or pecans for additional texture.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
  • Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.

Keywords: sourdough bread, pumpkin bread, apple bread, fall recipes, spiced bread, homemade bread, sourdough baking