Butter Pumpkin Bread with Salted Maple Brown Butter Glaze Recipe
There is something utterly irresistible about a warm slice of Butter Pumpkin Bread with Salted Maple Brown Butter Glaze that feels like a cozy hug in dessert form. This bread boasts the rich, comforting flavor of pumpkin paired with the nutty depth of browned butter, all enhanced by a luscious salted maple glaze that perfectly balances sweet and savory notes. Whether you’re winding down a busy day or sharing with friends, this pumpkin bread is the kind of recipe that quickly becomes a beloved staple, bringing joy and warmth with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first delicious step toward making this buttery pumpkin bread truly shine. Each component plays a vital role, whether it’s the smooth pumpkin purée that adds moisture and color or the browned butter that gives a signature nutty richness to both the bread and the glaze.
- Brown sugar: Adds deep caramel notes that enrich the bread’s flavor and keep it moist.
- White sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
- Pumpkin purée: Brings a naturally smooth texture and vibrant color, along with subtle earthiness.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add structure.
- Whole milk: Adds creaminess and tenderness to the batter.
- Browned butter: Offers a nutty aroma and complex flavor crucial for both bread and glaze.
- Neutral oil: Keeps the bread moist and prevents it from being too dense.
- Vanilla paste or extract: Enhances sweetness with warm, floral notes.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and heightens all the other flavors.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the structure of the bread while keeping it soft.
- Baking soda: Helps the bread rise for a light, tender crumb.
- Pumpkin spice: Adds that classic blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and warmth that screams fall.
- Powdered sugar: Key for the smooth, sweet base of the salted maple brown butter glaze.
- Maple syrup: Provides natural sweetness and pairs beautifully with the brown butter’s richness in the glaze.
- Milk (for glaze consistency): Adjusts the glaze to that perfect drizzling texture.
- Pinch of salt (for glaze): Balances the sweetness of the glaze for that irresistible salty-sweet contrast.
- Optional vanilla extract (for glaze): Adds a fragrant lift to finish the glaze.
How to Make Butter Pumpkin Bread with Salted Maple Brown Butter Glaze
Step 1: Brown the Butter
Start by gently browning the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it turns a beautiful golden brown and fills your kitchen with a warm, nutty aroma. Be sure to watch closely as it can go from perfect to burnt quickly. Once done, set it aside to cool slightly—this browned butter is the secret star for both the bread batter and the glaze.
Step 2: Prepare the Loaf Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Greasing your loaf pan with some of the browned butter ensures easy release and adds extra buttery flavor right from the start. It’s a small step that guarantees your bread won’t stick, making for a flawless presentation later.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin purée, brown and white sugars, eggs, whole milk, browned butter, neutral oil, vanilla, and salt. Whisk until the mixture is perfectly smooth and blended—a luscious base that promises moist, tender pumpkin bread.
Step 4: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and pumpkin spice to remove any clumps and evenly distribute the leavening agents. Gently fold the dry mixture into your wet ingredients just until combined, taking care to not overmix so your bread stays light and airy.
Step 5: Bake the Bread
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and slide it into the oven. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs but no wet batter. The aroma filling your kitchen by this point will be utterly intoxicating!
Step 6: Cool and Release
Let the loaf cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. This brief rest helps the bread set, so when you turn it out onto a rack to cool completely, it releases cleanly and holds its shape beautifully.
Step 7: Whisk Together the Salted Maple Brown Butter Glaze
For the glaze, whisk together your browned butter, pure maple syrup, powdered sugar, and a splash of milk until smooth and pourable. A pinch of salt and optional vanilla extract brings it all together with a perfect balance of flavor that will have you drizzling it generously over your bread.
Step 8: Glaze and Serve Your Butter Pumpkin Bread with Salted Maple Brown Butter Glaze
Once the pumpkin bread is completely cool, drizzle the salted maple brown butter glaze over the top. Let it settle a few minutes and then slice into this fragrant, buttery masterpiece—you’ve created more than bread, it’s a celebration of fall-worthy flavors and textures at their best!
How to Serve Butter Pumpkin Bread with Salted Maple Brown Butter Glaze
Garnishes
Sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or walnuts over the glaze to add a delightful crunch and a bit of extra nuttiness. A light dusting of cinnamon or a few delicate edible flowers can also elevate the presentation and hint at the cozy spices inside.
Side Dishes
This pumpkin bread shines on its own but pairs exceptionally well with a dollop of whipped cream, a smear of cream cheese, or a side of spiced chai tea or hot coffee. These accompaniments balance the sweetness and create an inviting spread perfect for brunch or afternoon tea.
Creative Ways to Present
For an impressive look, serve slices stacked with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream in between or use the bread as the base for a pumpkin bread trifle layered with mascarpone and caramel sauce. These ideas turn your Butter Pumpkin Bread with Salted Maple Brown Butter Glaze into a versatile treat, perfect for gatherings big and small.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Butter Pumpkin Bread with Salted Maple Brown Butter Glaze wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to maintain its moistness and flavor.
Freezing
If you want to save it longer, slice the bread and freeze it in a sealed freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw slices at room temperature or toast them straight from the freezer for a quick treat.
Reheating
To revive that fresh-from-the-oven feel, warm slices gently in a toaster oven or microwave until just heated through. Adding a bit of extra maple glaze or butter on top after warming truly brings back all the luscious flavors and textures.
FAQs
Can I use canned pumpkin or fresh pumpkin purée?
Canned pumpkin purée is perfect for this recipe as it provides a consistent texture and moisture level. Fresh pumpkin purée can be used but may require slight adjustments in moisture depending on its thickness.
What if I don’t have pumpkin spice?
You can make your own blend with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. This lets you control the spice balance and tailor it perfectly to your taste.
Can I substitute the neutral oil?
Yes! You can use melted coconut oil or even vegetable oil, but keep in mind this may slightly change the flavor profile. Neutral oil works best to let the pumpkin and browned butter shine.
Is the glaze necessary?
The salted maple brown butter glaze is what truly makes this bread stand out, adding richness and a beautiful salty-sweet contrast. You can enjoy the bread plain, but the glaze is highly recommended!
How long does the bread keep fresh?
Stored properly, the bread stays fresh for about three days at room temperature. Beyond that, freezing is your best bet for preserving flavor and texture.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a recipe that combines everything you love about fall flavors into a single, unforgettable loaf, this Butter Pumpkin Bread with Salted Maple Brown Butter Glaze is the one to try. It’s cozy, comforting, and utterly delicious, perfect for sharing or savoring alone with your favorite cup of tea. Dive in, bake it with love, and watch it become your new favorite go-to pumpkin treat!
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Butter Pumpkin Bread with Salted Maple Brown Butter Glaze Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 10–12 slices) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Butter Pumpkin Bread with Salted Maple Brown Butter Glaze is a moist and flavorful autumn treat combining rich pumpkin purée with warm spices and the nutty depth of browned butter. Topped with a luscious salted maple glaze, this bread is perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy snack during chilly days.
Ingredients
For the Pumpkin Bread
- 190 g brown sugar
- 90 g white sugar
- 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin purée
- 2 large eggs
- 100 ml whole milk
- 30 ml browned butter (plus extra for greasing)
- 80 ml neutral oil (such as canola or vegetable oil)
- 1 tbsp vanilla paste or extract
- ¼ – ½ tsp salt
- 240 g all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 – 2 tsp pumpkin spice
For the Salted Maple Brown Butter Glaze
- 25 g browned butter
- 50 g maple syrup
- 50 g powdered sugar
- Splash of milk (for consistency)
- Pinch of salt
- Vanilla extract (optional, about ½ tsp)
Instructions
- Brown the Butter: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and cook until it turns golden brown and gives off a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan thoroughly with a bit of the browned butter to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin purée, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, whole milk, browned butter, neutral oil, vanilla, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and pumpkin spice, then gently fold these into the wet ingredients to keep the batter airy. Mix until just combined without overmixing.
- Bake the Bread: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached but not wet batter.
- Cool the Bread: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring the texture sets nicely.
- Prepare the Glaze: Whisk together the browned butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar, and a splash of milk to reach a drizzling consistency. Add a pinch of salt and the optional vanilla extract to enhance flavor.
- Glaze and Serve: Once the bread is completely cool, drizzle the salted maple brown butter glaze evenly over the top. Slice and serve to enjoy the rich, spiced flavors and sweet glaze.
Notes
- Use fresh pumpkin purée or canned, but avoid pumpkin pie mix which contains extra spices and sweeteners.
- Adjust the amount of pumpkin spice to your taste preference for a milder or stronger spice profile.
- To ensure even baking, check the bread at 40 minutes and cover loosely with foil if it starts browning too much.
- The glaze can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week; rewarm gently before drizzling.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute browned butter with browned coconut oil and use a plant-based milk.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 60 g)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Keywords: Pumpkin bread, brown butter, salted maple glaze, autumn dessert, pumpkin spice bread, moist pumpkin loaf
