Description
This Pumpkin Sourdough Loaf is a cozy, autumn-inspired bread made with active sourdough starter, pumpkin purée, warm spices, and a hint of sweetness. It’s soft, flavorful, and perfect for breakfast, snacking, or alongside fall soups.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups active sourdough starter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat for a heartier loaf)
- 1 cup pumpkin purée (canned or homemade)
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (or honey/maple syrup)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp salt
Optional Add-Ons:
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
- Pumpkin seeds for topping
Instructions
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together sourdough starter, warm water, and brown sugar until dissolved.
- Add Pumpkin: Stir in pumpkin purée until smooth.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add flour, spices, and salt. Mix until a rough dough forms.
- Knead: Transfer to a floured surface and knead for 5–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise at room temperature for 4–6 hours or until doubled.
- Preheat Oven: About 30 minutes before the second rise ends, preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Shape Loaf: Punch down dough, shape into a loaf, and place in a greased loaf pan.
- Second Rise: Cover and let rise for 1 hour.
- Bake: Bake for 30–40 minutes, until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
- Cool & Slice: Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack. Cool fully before slicing.
Notes
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose blend.
- Dairy-Free: Recipe is naturally dairy-free—just ensure add-ins are too.
- No starter? Make a quick bread version with 1 tbsp baking powder or 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) yeast instead.
- Extra Flavor: Add orange zest or vanilla extract to the dough.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 5–7 hours rise time)
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: pumpkin sourdough bread, sourdough pumpkin loaf, fall bread recipe, sourdough baking, pumpkin bread with starter