Pumpkin Pull-Apart Loaf

The Ultimate Guide to Pumpkin Pull-Apart Bread

As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing more comforting than the aroma of freshly baked pumpkin bread wafting through your home. This Pumpkin Pull-Apart Bread combines the warm flavors of pumpkin and cinnamon with a sweet, tender dough that’s perfect for sharing. Each layer of bread is infused with a rich cinnamon-sugar filling, and it’s all topped off with a creamy cinnamon glaze. Whether you’re serving it for breakfast, dessert, or a special fall gathering, this bread is sure to be a hit. Let’s explore how to make this delightful treat, along with tips and variations to ensure it turns out perfectly every time.

Why You’ll Love Pumpkin Pull-Apart Bread

This recipe is a seasonal favorite, offering a delicious twist on traditional pumpkin bread. Here’s why you’ll love making and sharing this bread:

Warm Fall Flavors: The combination of pumpkin, cinnamon, and brown sugar creates a cozy, comforting flavor that’s perfect for autumn.
Fun and Shareable: The pull-apart style makes this bread easy to share, making it a great option for gatherings or family breakfasts.
Moist and Tender: Thanks to the addition of pumpkin puree and melted butter, the bread is incredibly moist with a soft, tender crumb.
Simple Ingredients: With basic pantry staples, you can create a show-stopping bread that looks and tastes impressive.

Ingredients Breakdown

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious Pumpkin Pull-Apart Bread:

For the Bread:

Milk (¾ cup): Warmed to activate the yeast and create a tender dough.
Active Dry Yeast (1 package): Helps the bread rise, giving it a light, fluffy texture.
Canned Pumpkin (1 cup): Adds moisture and a subtle pumpkin flavor to the dough.
Butter (3 tablespoons, melted): Used in both the dough and the filling for richness and moisture.
Granulated Sugar (2 tablespoons): Sweetens the dough and helps with yeast activation.
Egg Yolk (1): Adds richness and helps bind the dough.
Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances the overall flavor of the bread.
All-Purpose Flour (3 cups): The base of the dough, providing structure and chewiness.
Brown Sugar (¾ cup, packed): Sweetens the cinnamon filling and adds a deep, caramel-like flavor.
Ground Cinnamon (1 tablespoon): The star spice of the filling, bringing warmth and depth to the bread.

For the Cinnamon Glaze:

Powdered Sugar (1 cup): Creates the base of the glaze, adding sweetness and smoothness.
Ground Cinnamon (½ teaspoon): Infuses the glaze with a warm, spicy flavor.
Vanilla Extract (½ teaspoon): Adds a hint of sweetness and depth to the glaze.
Milk (1-2 tablespoons): Thins the glaze to the desired consistency.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making Pumpkin Pull-Apart Bread involves a few steps, but the end result is well worth the effort. Here’s how to do it:

1. Prepare the Dough:

In a small saucepan, heat the milk until warm, between 105°F and 115°F. Pour the warm milk into a large mixing bowl, add the active dry yeast, and stir to dissolve. Let the mixture stand for 5 to 10 minutes, or until it becomes foamy.
To the yeast mixture, add ½ cup of the canned pumpkin, melted butter, granulated sugar, egg yolk, and salt. Beat the mixture on medium speed until combined.
Gradually add half of the flour, beating on low speed for 30 seconds and then on medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir in the remaining flour until a dough forms.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a ball. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky, but it should hold its shape. Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning it once to grease the surface. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place until nearly doubled in size, about 45 to 60 minutes.

2. Assemble the Bread:

Butter a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Turn the risen dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it into a 20×12-inch rectangle.
In a small bowl, combine the remaining ½ cup pumpkin with 3 tablespoons of melted butter. Spread this mixture evenly over the dough.
In another bowl, mix together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the pumpkin-butter mixture on the dough.
Cut the dough crosswise into five 12×4-inch strips. Stack the strips on top of each other, then cut them crosswise into six 4×2-inch pieces, leaving the stacks intact.
Loosely stagger the pieces, cut sides up, in the prepared loaf pan. Cover the pan and let the dough rise in a warm place until nearly doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

3. Bake the Bread:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 35 minutes, or until golden brown. If the bread is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.
Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Then, carefully remove the bread from the pan.

4. Make the Cinnamon Glaze:

In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and 1-2 tablespoons of milk. Adjust the milk to achieve your desired glaze consistency.
Drizzle the glaze over the warm bread before serving.

Tips for Success

Here are some tips to ensure your Pumpkin Pull-Apart Bread turns out perfectly:

1. Use Warm, Not Hot, Milk:

The milk should be warm to the touch, but not hot. Hot milk can kill the yeast, preventing the dough from rising.

2. Don’t Overfill the Pan:

When stacking the dough pieces in the loaf pan, leave a little space between them to allow the dough to expand as it rises and bakes.

3. Cover to Prevent Over-Browning:

If the bread is browning too quickly in the oven, cover it with foil for the last 10 minutes to prevent burning while the inside continues to cook.

4. Let the Bread Cool Slightly Before Adding Glaze:

Let the bread cool for about 10 minutes before drizzling with glaze. This allows the glaze to set slightly without melting completely into the bread.

5. Serve Warm:

Pumpkin Pull-Apart Bread is best served warm, so the layers are soft and the glaze is slightly gooey.

Customization and Variations

This bread is delicious as is, but you can easily customize it to suit your taste:

1. Add Nuts:

For a crunchy texture, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the cinnamon-sugar filling before stacking the dough strips.

2. Use Pumpkin Spice:

Swap the ground cinnamon in the filling and glaze for pumpkin spice to enhance the fall flavors even more.

3. Make it Savory:

For a savory twist, omit the sugar and cinnamon, and instead spread the dough with a mixture of melted butter, garlic, and herbs like rosemary or thyme.

4. Add Cream Cheese:

Add small dollops of softened cream cheese between the layers for a rich, tangy surprise.

5. Experiment with Different Glazes:

Try a maple glaze by substituting some or all of the milk with maple syrup in the glaze recipe.

Nutritional Information

Here’s a quick breakdown of the nutritional information for one serving (based on the recipe making 12 servings):

Calories: 240 kcal
Carbohydrates: 40g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 7g (Saturated Fat: 4g)
Cholesterol: 25mg
Sodium: 220mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 18g
Vitamin A: 5000 IU
Vitamin C: 2mg
Calcium: 50mg
Iron: 2mg

This bread is a delightful indulgence, perfect for a special breakfast or a cozy fall treat.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are some common issues you might encounter when making this bread and how to fix them:

1. Dough Didn’t Rise:

If the dough doesn’t rise, the yeast may have been old or the milk too hot. Make sure your yeast is fresh, and the milk is warm, not hot.

2. Bread is Dense:

Dense bread can result from not letting the dough rise enough or from overworking the dough. Ensure the dough has doubled in size before baking and handle it gently.

3. Bread Stuck to the Pan:

Grease the loaf pan well, or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal. Let the bread cool slightly before removing it from the pan.

4. Glaze Too Thick or Thin:

Adjust the consistency of the glaze by adding more milk to thin it out or more powdered sugar to thicken it up.

Conclusion

Pumpkin Pull-Apart Bread is the ultimate fall treat, combining the warm flavors of pumpkin and cinnamon in a fun, shareable format. Whether you’re enjoying it with your morning coffee or serving it as a dessert, this bread is sure to become a seasonal favorite. With easy-to-follow instructions and plenty of room for customization, this recipe is perfect for both novice and experienced bakers alike. So grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy this delicious, pull-apart delight!