Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Bread: The Perfect Cozy Fall Bake

This Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Bread is moist, tender, and filled with warm fall spices. A sweet cinnamon swirl adds a bakery-style touch, making it the perfect cozy autumn bake.

When the leaves start to turn and the crisp air sets in, there’s nothing more comforting than baking with pumpkin. This Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Bread brings together all the warm flavors of fall in one moist, tender loaf. With a buttery pumpkin batter, fragrant pumpkin pie spice, and a sweet cinnamon-sugar swirl baked right in, this bread is perfect for cozy mornings, holiday brunches, or gifting to friends and family.

It’s not just pumpkin bread—it’s pumpkin bread with a twist. The cinnamon swirl creates pockets of sweetness and spice, turning each slice into a little piece of fall heaven.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Warm & Cozy Flavor: Pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon bring classic autumn notes.

• Beautiful Presentation: The cinnamon swirl creates a bakery-style marbled effect.

• Moist & Tender: Thanks to pumpkin purée, sour cream, and oil.

• Make-Ahead Friendly: Stays moist for days and freezes beautifully.

• Crowd Pleaser: Perfect for holidays, bake sales, or gifting.

Ingredient Breakdown

Every ingredient plays an important role in this recipe. Here’s why:

Cinnamon Swirl Mixture

• Light Brown Sugar (½ cup, packed): Adds sweetness, moisture, and a hint of molasses.

• Cinnamon (1 ½ tsp): The star spice that pairs beautifully with pumpkin.

• All-Purpose Flour (1 tbsp): Helps bind the cinnamon sugar so it doesn’t completely melt into the batter.

Pumpkin Bread Batter

• All-Purpose Flour (1 ¾ cups): The foundation of the bread. Use a spoon-and-level method to avoid dense batter.

• Baking Powder (2 tsp) & Baking Soda (½ tsp): Leavening agents that give the bread lift and structure.

• Salt (½ tsp): Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.

• Pumpkin Pie Spice (2 tsp): A mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves—classic fall spices.

• Granulated Sugar (¾ cup): Sweetens the bread and helps with browning.

• Light Brown Sugar (½ cup, packed): Adds depth and a caramel-like sweetness.

• Vegetable Oil (½ cup): Keeps the bread soft and moist. Neutral flavor lets pumpkin shine.

• Eggs (2, room temp): Bind ingredients and add structure.

• Whole Milk (1 cup, room temp): Adds moisture and richness.

• Vanilla (1 tsp): Enhances the warm flavors.

• Pumpkin Purée (1 cup): Brings pumpkin flavor and keeps the bread moist. Use pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.

• Sour Cream (¼ cup, room temp): Adds tang and ensures a tender crumb.

Recipe Card

Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Bread
Servings: 8–10 slices | Prep Time: 20 minutes | Bake Time: 65–75 minutes | Total Time: ~1 hr 40 mins

Ingredients

Cinnamon Swirl:

• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed

• 1 ½ tsp cinnamon

• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour

Pumpkin Bread Batter:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp salt

• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed

• ½ cup vegetable oil

• 2 large eggs, room temp

• 1 cup whole milk, room temp

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup canned pumpkin purée

• ¼ cup sour cream, room temp

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour for the swirl. Set aside.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.

4. In a large bowl, whisk granulated sugar, brown sugar, and oil until combined.

5. Add eggs one at a time, whisking until smooth.

6. Whisk in milk, vanilla, pumpkin purée, and sour cream until fully incorporated.

7. Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients in two additions, mixing gently until just combined.

8. Pour batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle the cinnamon swirl mixture on top. Use a butter knife to gently swirl through the batter.

9. Bake 65–75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. (Baking times may vary.)

10. Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Tips for Success

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Eggs, milk, and sour cream mix better when not cold.

• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing can make the bread dense. Fold gently.

• Check Early: Oven temps vary; check the bread at 60 minutes with a toothpick.

• Storage: Wrap tightly and store at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for a week.

• Freezing: Wrap slices individually in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze up to 3 months.

Variations

• Nutty Swirl: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon mixture.

• Cream Cheese Pumpkin Bread: Swirl in sweetened cream cheese for extra richness.

• Glazed Pumpkin Bread: Drizzle with a simple vanilla or maple glaze.

• Mini Loaves: Bake in mini loaf pans (check at 30–35 minutes).

Nutritional Benefits

• Pumpkin: Rich in fiber, vitamin A, and antioxidants.

• Cinnamon: Anti-inflammatory properties and natural sweetness.

• Dairy (milk + sour cream): Adds protein and calcium.

Serving Suggestions

• Warm with a pat of butter or cream cheese.

• Pair with coffee, chai, or hot cider for the ultimate fall pairing.

• Serve on a brunch spread with fresh fruit and eggs.

• Wrap in parchment and ribbon for an edible holiday gift.

Why You’ll Enjoy This Dish

Pumpkin bread is already a fall classic, but the cinnamon swirl takes it up a notch. The contrast between the spiced pumpkin batter and the sweet, fragrant cinnamon sugar creates layers of flavor in every bite. It’s warm, comforting, and perfect for enjoying with family, serving at brunch, or gifting during the holidays.

This recipe is simple enough for beginner bakers yet yields results that look and taste like something from a bakery. The texture is moist and soft, the swirl is beautiful, and the flavor is the essence of fall.

Yield: 1 loaf

Author: CookSnapBake.com

Print

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Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Bread

This Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Bread is moist, tender, and filled with warm fall spices. A sweet cinnamon swirl adds a bakery-style touch, making it the perfect cozy autumn bake.

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 55 MinTotal time: 1 H & 10 M

Ingredients

• Cinnamon Swirl:
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp Nutmeg
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• Pumpkin Bread Batter:
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs, room temp
• 1 cup whole milk, room temp
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup canned pumpkin purée
• ¼ cup sour cream, room temp

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour for the swirl. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
4. In a large bowl, whisk granulated sugar, brown sugar, and oil until combined.
5. Add eggs one at a time, whisking until smooth.
6. Whisk in milk, vanilla, pumpkin purée, and sour cream until fully incorporated.
7. Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients in two additions, mixing gently until just combined.
8. Pour batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle the cinnamon swirl mixture on top. Use a butter knife to gently swirl through the batter.
9. Bake 65–75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. (Baking times may vary.)
10. Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @cooksnapbake on instagram and hashtag it #Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Bread

🍂✨ Looking for your next fall baking project? Try this Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Bread and fill your kitchen with the cozy aromas of autumn. Don’t forget to snap a picture and tag me when you bake it—I’d love to see your swirl!