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Soft Pumpkin Sourdough Bread

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This soft pumpkin sourdough bread is a moist, flavorful quick bread made with sourdough discard, pumpkin puree, warm fall spices, and a hint of citrus. It’s an easy, cozy recipe perfect for fall baking and a great way to use up sourdough starter discard.

  • Author: Catherine
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 1 loaf (12 slices) 1x
  • Category: Quick Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 tablespoons (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup (125 g) sourdough starter (discard)
  • ¼ cup (60 g) fresh orange juice (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon (5 g) vanilla extract
  • 1 (15oz.) can (425 g) pumpkin puree
  • 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon (5 g) fine sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C). Lightly grease a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan with butter or oil.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and pumpkin pie spice. Set aside.
  3. In a separate bowl, melt the butter and mix in the brown sugar until smooth.
  4. Add the egg, vanilla extract, orange juice, sourdough discard, and pumpkin puree to the butter mixture. Mix until well combined.
  5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
  7. Bake for 55–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • Do not use pumpkin pie filling—only pure pumpkin puree.
  • Use aged sourdough discard for deeper flavor.
  • Avoid overmixing to keep the bread soft and tender.
  • To freeze, wrap slices or whole loaf tightly in plastic and foil for up to 3 months.
  • Homemade pumpkin spice: 3 tbsp cinnamon, 2 tsp nutmeg, 2 tsp ginger, 1.5 tsp cloves, 1.5 tsp allspice.

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