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Our Chocolate Marbled Pumpkin Bread Recipe is one part cake, another part bread, and 100% delicious!
Chocolate and pumpkin are the dynamic duo of autumn! How well these two join forces to save the world from the bland and unimpressive bakes that can plague our kitchens. Seriously though, if you haven’t tried this ultimate flavor combination, now’s the time and this is the recipe. Once again, canned pumpkin with all its amazing super powers, is here to save the day!
Our easy pumpkin bread recipe comes together in minutes.
No mixer is required for this easy bake. Grease your favorite 8.5×4-inch loaf pan and preheat the oven because this pumpkin bread recipe is ready in a flash. Combine the wet ingredients, and in another bowl whisk together the dry. Bring the two together in a lovely, thick cake-like batter.
How do you create the marbled effect in this pumpkin bread?
Once you have the batter ready to go, remove half to a separate clean bowl. Add cocoa powder to one bowl of batter, and an equal amount of flour to the second bowl.
Alternate scoops of the two batters into the bottom of the prepared loaf pan, in the following manner:
- Create two rows of batter, using three alternating scoops in each row.
- In the left row, make your first scoop pumpkin, then chocolate, then pumpkin.
- In the other row, start with chocolate, then pumpkin, then chocolate.
- Repeat with another alternating layer on top.
- Lightly swirl the combined batters using a large skewer or knife, creating two figure eights, to marble the loaf.
Why is canned pumpkin so darn popular?
One of my favorite things about canned pumpkin is that it’s 100% pure pumpkin puree, nothing more. Libby’s brand pumpkin is all-natural and canned without additives or preservatives. Cooking and baking with canned pumpkin is an easy and dependable way to infuse a little fall into both sweet and savory recipes. Since pumpkin puree is cooked in the canning process, you can use it straight from the can in no-bake recipes like smoothies and ice cream.
Canned pumpkin is a terrific base for pancakes,ย doughnuts, cheesecake, cakes and cookies. Pumpkin is so much more than just pie!
Can you freeze this chocolate marbled pumpkin bread recipe?
Yes! Freeze this pumpkin bread after it has cooled completely, wrapped in plastic and sealed in an airtight container. It will keep for up to three months in the freezer. You can even freeze this pumpkin bread pre-sliced. Place the slices between layers of wax paper or flash freeze to ensure they don’t stick together. This recipe is easily doubled so make one to enjoy now, and freeze the second loaf for later. Not overly sweet, this is pumpkin bread recipe is a real treat!
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Chocolate Marbled Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- ยพ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ยฝ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ยผ cup milk
- ยพ cup canned pumpkin puree, not pie filling
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
- ยฝ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ยผ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ยฐF. Lightly grease the sides and bottom of an 8.5x4-inch loaf pan. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the sugar, eggs, butter, milk, pumpkin and vanilla until combined.
- Place a large fine mesh sieve over the egg mixture. Add ยพ cup of the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and pumpkin pie spice to the sieve and sift into the egg mixture. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture. Blend until smooth.
- Remove half the batter to another small bowl and add the cocoa powder. Fold to combine. Add the remaining ยผ cup of flour to the non-chocolate batter. Fold until blended.
- Alternate scoops of the two batters into the bottom of the prepared loaf pan, in the following manner:ย Create two rows of batter, using three alternating scoops in each row.ย In the left row, make your first scoop pumpkin, then chocolate, then pumpkin. In the other row, start with chocolate, then pumpkin, then chocolate.Repeat with another alternating layer on top. Lightly swirl the combined batters using a large skewer or knife, creating two figure eights, to marble. Top with coarse sugar, if using.
- Bake at 350ยฐF for 50 to 55 minutes or until the center is set and firm to the touch and a skewer comes out with no wet batter. Allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes then remove to a wire rack.
Recipe Notes
- Recipe is easily doubled
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature
- Bread can be frozen for up to 3 months
Nutrition
Here are a few more recipes you might also enjoy:
Spiced Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
Maple Pumpkin Butter
Pumpkin Crinkle Cookies
Thanks so much for stopping by! Tricia
A
What size/type of scoop are you using?
Tricia Buice
Hi! You can use a ladle, ice cream scoop or large spoon. It’s doesn’t have to be precise so no worries. If you have a couple of ice cream scoops that holds about 3 tablespoons I would try that first. Thanks!
Julie T
I made this and it was so delicious! I followed the recipe exactly but added 1/2 cup chocolate chips to the pumpkin batter. The texture was great and the marble looked fantastic. The pumpkin flavor is subtle and the chocolate flavor stood out more. This is a fantastic treat I will be making again!
Tricia Buice
Oh Julie! I love the addition of chocolate chips to the pumpkin swirl. Outstanding!
Lucy
Sounds delicious. The recipe calls for canned pumpkin puree. I have a lovely home grown pumpkin. How would I puree it for the recipe?
Tricia Buice
You can make your own pumpkin puree Lucy. Check out this post for step by step directionss: PUMPKIN PUREE
rach
I only have unsweetened cocoa powder. Will that affect the taste?
Tricia Buice
The recipe uses unsweetened cocoa powder so you’re good to go! Enjoy!
Pam
Woo hoo, Tricia! Bet this bread is as delicious as it is pretty! Thanks for the recipe!
Tricia Buice
Thank YOU Pam!
Liz
You’ve outdone yourself! This is one gorgeous loaf of pumpkin bread—swirled to perfection!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Liz!
Chris Scheuer
Pinned! So pretty and so easy! And from the ingredients, I can surmise, so delicious! A winning combination!
Tricia Buice
Thanks so much Chris! Hope you have a wonderful week ๐
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Chocolate and pumpkin is always a winning combination and looks perfect in this beautiful bread!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Jennifer. We agree!