Best Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

The aroma of warm spices mingling with rich chocolate as Best Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread bakes in your oven creates an irresistible fall atmosphere throughout your home. This deliciously moist quick bread perfectly balances earthy pumpkin flavors with decadent chocolate chips for a treat that works equally well for breakfast, snack time, or dessert. The Best Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread has become a seasonal favorite for good reason – it captures autumn’s essence in every tender, spiced bite. You’ll learn how to create a perfectly balanced loaf with a golden crust and moist interior that stays fresh for days (if it lasts that long).

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Best Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread recipe stands apart from ordinary pumpkin breads for several compelling reasons. First, the texture strikes that perfect balance – incredibly moist yet structured enough to hold its shape when sliced. Each bite offers delightful contrasts between the tender crumb, melty chocolate chips, and the slight crunch of the caramelized exterior.

The flavor profile is carefully calibrated with warming spices that enhance rather than overpower the natural pumpkin taste. Unlike many pumpkin chocolate chip recipes that end up tasting only of cinnamon, this bread lets each ingredient shine. The semi-sweet chocolate chips create pockets of rich indulgence that perfectly complement the earthy sweetness of the pumpkin.

Perhaps best of all, this pumpkin chocolate chip loaf recipe is remarkably forgiving and adaptable. It’s perfect for bakers of all skill levels, requires no special equipment beyond basic mixing bowls, and uses standard pantry ingredients. The recipe can also be easily doubled for batch baking or adjusted for different dietary needs without sacrificing flavor or texture.

Ingredients

For the Best Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread, you’ll need these kitchen staples:

• 1¾ cups (219g) all-purpose flour – provides structure while maintaining tenderness
• 1 teaspoon baking soda – essential for proper rise
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon – provides warming base flavor
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg – adds aromatic depth
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger – contributes subtle heat
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves – brings complex warmth
• ¾ teaspoon salt – enhances all flavors
• 15 oz (425g) pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) – provides moisture and flavor
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar – sweetens and helps tenderize
• ½ cup (100g) packed light brown sugar – adds moisture and caramel notes
• ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil – creates moist texture
• 2 large eggs, room temperature – provide structure and richness
• ¼ cup (60ml) milk – adds additional moisture
• 1½ cups (255g) semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided – creates melty pockets of chocolate
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – enhances overall flavor

Pro Tips

Perfect Moisture Balance: The secret to exceptional chocolate chip pumpkin bread lies in properly measuring your ingredients. For the flour, spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off rather than scooping directly from the container. This prevents over-measuring, which leads to dry bread. Conversely, thoroughly drain any excess moisture from your pumpkin puree (especially if using homemade) by blotting it with paper towels to avoid a soggy center.

Chocolate Chip Distribution: To prevent chocolate chips from sinking to the bottom of your pumpkin chocolate chip loaf, toss them in 1 tablespoon of flour before folding them into the batter. Additionally, reserve about ¼ cup of chips to sprinkle on top of the batter once it’s in the pan. This creates an appealing appearance and ensures chocolate in every slice.

Temperature Management: Both ingredient and oven temperature significantly impact your results. Allow refrigerated ingredients like eggs to reach room temperature before mixing for better incorporation. For the oven, invest in an inexpensive oven thermometer as many ovens run hotter or cooler than their settings indicate. This Best Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread benefits from true temperature precision, with even a 25°F variance potentially affecting texture and baking time.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment and Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and position the rack in the middle. Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal. This extra step prevents sticking and makes clean-up simpler. Gather all ingredients and allow refrigerated items to reach room temperature.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt. This thorough mixing ensures the spices and leavening agents distribute evenly throughout your Best Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread. Take an extra moment to break up any clumps in the flour or spices with your whisk.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined. The mixture should be smooth with no sugar lumps remaining. Add the vegetable oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract, whisking until everything is fully incorporated. Your wet mixture will have a thick, smooth consistency.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, folding gently with a rubber spatula. Mix just until no flour streaks remain – overmixing will develop gluten and create a tough bread. The batter will be thick and somewhat lumpy, which is exactly what you want for a tender crumb.

Step 5: Add Chocolate Chips

Toss 1¼ cups of chocolate chips with a tablespoon of flour (this helps prevent sinking), then fold them gently into the batter. Reserve the remaining ¼ cup of chips for topping. The folding motion keeps the batter light while ensuring even distribution throughout your chocolate chip pumpkin bread.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with your spatula. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips evenly over the surface. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). If the top begins browning too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil around the 45-minute mark.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Allow your Best Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then use the parchment paper overhang to lift it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling period is crucial as it allows the structure to set and flavors to develop. For the cleanest slices, wait at least 1 hour before cutting, though the bread will be at its absolute best after 2 hours of cooling.

Variations

Nutty Chocolate Pumpkin Bread: Transform your Best Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread by adding ¾ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans along with the chocolate chips. The nuts contribute delightful texture contrast and their natural oils enhance the bread’s moistness while complementing both the pumpkin and chocolate flavors. For maximum flavor, lightly toast the nuts before adding them to the batter.

Gluten-Free Adaptation: Create a gluten-free version by substituting the all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking blend (those containing xanthan gum work best). You may need to increase the milk by 1-2 tablespoons as gluten-free flours often absorb more moisture. The result maintains the wonderful texture and flavor profile of traditional pumpkin chocolate chip bread while accommodating gluten sensitivities.

Spiced White Chocolate Variation: For a sweeter, more dessert-like loaf, substitute white chocolate chips for the semi-sweet and add an additional ½ teaspoon of cinnamon plus ¼ teaspoon of cardamom. This creates a more pronounced spice profile that beautifully contrasts with the sweet, creamy white chocolate pieces throughout the bread.

Storage and Serving

Best Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread maintains its moisture and flavor exceptionally well during storage. At room temperature, wrap the completely cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic and aluminum foil for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying.

For serving, try warming slices briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to slightly melt the chocolate chips for an extra indulgent experience. This pumpkin bread makes a delicious breakfast when paired with cream cheese or butter. For dessert, transform it by topping warm slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

For a special brunch presentation, create a pumpkin chocolate chip bread French toast by dipping thick slices in an egg and cinnamon mixture, then cooking until golden on a buttered griddle. Serve with maple syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar for an unforgettable autumn treat.

FAQs

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?
Yes, but with extra steps. Cook and puree fresh pumpkin, then strain overnight through cheesecloth to remove excess moisture. Measure 15 ounces after draining for this Best Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread recipe.

Why did my chocolate chips sink to the bottom?
This typically happens when chips aren’t coated in flour or when the batter is too thin. Toss chips in 1 tablespoon of flour before folding them in, and ensure your pumpkin puree isn’t too wet.

Can I make this recipe as muffins instead of a loaf?
Absolutely! Fill muffin cups 2/3 full and bake at 350°F for 18-22 minutes. This yields approximately 18 pumpkin chocolate chip muffins.

How can I tell when the bread is fully baked?
Insert a toothpick into the center – it should come out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. The internal temperature should reach about 200°F, and the top should spring back when lightly pressed.

Can I reduce the sugar without affecting the texture?
You can reduce the total sugar by up to 25% without significantly impacting moisture. However, replacing some of the granulated sugar with applesauce (¼ cup) maintains sweetness and moisture while reducing overall sugar content.

Conclusion

This Best Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread is comfort food at its finest — a perfect harmony of autumnal spices, tender pumpkin-infused crumb, and melty chocolate morsels in every bite. It’s the kind of dish that transforms ordinary moments into special occasions, filling your home with irresistible aromas that signal the best of the fall season. Whether enjoyed with morning coffee, packed as a lunchbox treat, or served as a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this versatile quick bread delivers satisfaction in every slice. Master this recipe, and you’ll have a signature fall treat that friends and family will request year after year.

Print