Bump your pumpkin bread up a notch with this Bourbon Glazed Orange Spiced Pumpkin Bread. Fall flavors that will make your mouth super happy, but with a bit less sugar and with heart-healthy fats. Easy, quick and perfect for breakfast, snacks or even dessert!
As soon as that first leaf begins to fall, I tend to start grabbing cans of pumpkin puree each time I go to the grocery store. That first can always turns into a loaf of pumpkin bread. The smell alone fills the house with the scent of autumn. It welcomes everyone home as they walk in through the door with smiles on their faces. That’s the beauty of baking, isn’t it?
This loaf began as a pretty simple orange spiced pumpkin bread. It had us all gathered around the kitchen counter, devouring slices throughout the day…and night. But, it wasn’t all rosy and sweet…
My son took a bite and asked why I wasn’t doing anything exciting with it.
“What? I added orange zest.”
“I mean, it’s just pumpkin bread. How about a bourbon glaze?” he said.
I rolled my eyes. Not because it wasn’t genius, but because it was such a Ryan thing to say.
Round two of this bread included that bourbon glaze.
Hmmm. That boy of mine sure does have an intuitive sense of flavors.
The bourbon just pairs so naturally with the flavors of the spices, the pumpkin and especially the orange. It definitely made this bread more exciting. ;)
You may remember this yummy Pumpkin Bread Pudding from last year’s #VirtualPumpkinParty.
Sara, from the beautiful blog, Cake Over Steak, heads up this fun gathering of some of the most creative pumpkin recipes every year. Read about its origin and find links to all of this year’s delicious recipes here or scroll down below.
Bourbon Glazed Orange Spiced Pumpkin Bread
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup 195g all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3 large eggs* room temperature
- 1/2 cup avocado oil
- 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- zest of one small orange I use mandarin oranges
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
Glaze
- 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon bourbon
- pinch or two of orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 10-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and nutmeg.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs lightly. Add the avocado oil, apple sauce, sugar, orange zest and vanilla. Whisk to combine. Add the pumpkin and whisk again until smooth.
- Add the pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients. Stir and fold just until combined.
- Pour the mixture into your prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely before glazing.
- Mix the glaze ingredients together in a small bowl. Using a small spoon or whisk, drizzle over the top.
Notes
Adapted from, Orange-Spice Pumpkin Bread, Williams-Sonoma.
Some of my favorite pumpkin recipes from the blog…
Maple Spice Glazed Pumpkin Muffins
I LOVE SEEING PHOTOS OF RECIPES THAT YOU’VE MADE!
Before you take a bite, snap a photo with your phone, follow me on INSTAGRAM and tag it with #TASTELOVEANDNOURISH
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I was wondering if anyone has tried this out with gluten free flour. It sounds delicious, and I have to be gluten free, regrettably.
Great question, Alene. I, personally, haven’t tried this with gluten free flour, but there are some brands that do make cup-for-cup versions that may work well. If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it turned out! :)
I never ever, ever tire of pumpkin and eat it year round! Pumpkin bread is one of my favorites and I absolutely love how you’ve topped it with a bourbon glaze with a hint of orange. Indeed the house smells incredible! Gorgeous work Caroline! xo
It’s a favorite in our house too, Traci! Thanks so much! xo
Love this mother son collaboration! Such a wise guy;) Also I love the orange/pumpkin combo!
I have to agree, Sarah! I may need to get his input more often! :) Thanks a bunch!
Your loaf made me hungry and your post made me smile. My son has always been my number one taste tester and his creative critiques have often led to recipes tweaks that turn a simple cookie into something special. Your son’s idea for the glaze definitely made this loaf special!
Family members make the best taste-testers, don’t they? Thanks so much, Wendy! :)
Such an elegant loaf! I love that you have chosen orange and bourbon with its vanilla notes to flavor the pumpkin. Pinned – this is Thanksgiving’s morning coffee companion!
You are so sweet, Milena! Thank you! Ahhh…this would be great for Thanksgiving morning! xo
This looks amazing! That totally sounds like something my son would (and probably did) say! Love our adventurous foodie kids! :)
Love that, Jenny! And thanks so much! :)
Pumpkin bread… bestttttttttttt. Looks so good!
I agree, Christiann! Thanks so much! xo
What a unique combination of flavors! <3
Thank you, Bella!
hahah your kid has a great palette. also the glaze adds a wonderful visual component! it looks so tasty!!! xo
He does! :) Thanks so much, Michelle! xo
Hah – your son sounds like a future food blogger! I like where his mind’s at when it comes to this pumpkin bread. Sounds so good!! Thanks for participating again this year. :-*
I see him more as a future beer and wine blogger, to be honest. Hahaha…seriously though…the kid’s got a great palate! Thanks so much, Sara!!! :)
Will this work with olive oil instead of avocado oil?
Absolutely, Madalyn! In fact, that would be wonderful! The avocado oil can be substituted with any vegetable oil. I’d love to hear how you liked it! :)
Love, love this bourbon glaze and I could pour this over everything. So happy to be participating in the pumpkin party with you!
Ahhh…your Pumpkin Apple Sangria sounds incredible, Karen! Everyone should go check that out! Thanks for stopping in!
That bourbon glaze! OMG! And the addition of that orange zest! What a way to turn ordinary into extraordinary Caroline! Adding to my baking list!
Thank you, Mary Ann! Yes, yes…the glaze is yummmmmmy! :)
Caroline this is exquisite! I adore this spin on pumpkin bread. Going on my to make list!
Thanks a bunch, Karista! I hope you love it! <3