This Pumpkin Bread with Streusel Topping recipe is topped with a quick maple glaze and packed with cinnamon and spices. It’s warming, moist and crumbly on top! You can even just make the pumpkin bread part if you prefer a plain loaf or if you are in a hurry.

What’s the difference between crumble and streusel?

The term streusel comes from the German word streuen, which means to scatter or sprinkle. Streusel and crumb toppings are pretty similar with one distinct difference: streusel has more flour, while crumbles have more sugar. For this pumpkin bread recipe, we’re going to make streusel with a larger quantity of flour, but then we will toss it with some brown sugar to make it extra decadent (and Fall festive). So it’s definitely a gray area.

Equipment needed for pumpkin bread with streusel topping

Here’s what you will need to make this recipe:

3 bowls – one to make streusel, one small one for the glaze and a large one for the pumpkin batter.
A whisk
A rubber spatula
A 9 x 5 standard bread pan – this is a typical bread loaf pan size. Use a metal one if you can, as glass could cause the pumpkin bread to over bake because it will retain heat longer once out of the oven. If you have to use glass, try baking the bread for 10 minutes less than the recommended time.
parchment paper – to line your bread pan. Vital to keep your bread pan from getting stuck in the pan.

Pumpkin bread with streusel topping recipe

Ingredients for pumpkin bread with streusel topping

Here’s what you need to add to your grocery list:

canola oil
pumpkin purée – be sure to get 100% pure pumpkin. Not pumpkin pie!
eggs
vanilla extract – I like to use vanilla bean paste as well.
granulated sugar – necessary for both the batter and the streusel topping.
brown sugar – also necessary for the batter and streusel topping.
all purpose flour – you can also use wheat flour.
Spices: nutmeg, all spice, clove and cinnamon. If you don’t have all of these, you can double up on cinnamon.
baking soda
milk – you can use plant based or dairy. I used almond milk for this recipe.
pinch of salt
unsalted butter
powdered sugar – we will only use this for the maple glaze topping.
Maple syrup – only get pure maple syrup for this! Check the label.

Tips for making pumpkin bread with streusel topping

A couple things to keep in mind when making this:

Don’t over mix your batter: don’t overwork the batter with your spatula because it will make it too thick and airy. The final product will be dense. Just mix until combined and move on!

Wiggle the the pan to check doneness – the streusel will make it hard to see the bread underneath, but wiggle the pan and see if the batter wiggles too. It should move just the tiniest bit or look just set. That’s how you will know it’s done.

How to make pumpkin bread with streusel topping

Let’s make it together!

Step 1

Start with the streusel. Melt the butter in the microwave and let it cool for 3-4 minutes. In a bowl, mix together the flour, sugar and cinnamon. Add the butter once it has cooled and stir gently. Clumps should form. If the mixture is too wet, add more flour a tablespoon at a time. It should be clumpy but still a little soft. Use your hands if needed.

Step 2

Add in the brown sugar and stir gently. Then place the streusel in the fridge while you make the batter.

Step 3

Prepare the pumpkin bread batter. Preheat the oven to 350℉. Whisk together the canola oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs and pumpkin purée. Once combined, add in the flour, baking soda, salt and all the spices. Use a spatula to mix together just until combined.

combined wet ingredients for pumpkin bread

Step 4

Add the milk to the batter and fold into the batter. It should have a smooth but thick consistency. Not too pourable but not stiff.

Step 5

Pour the pumpkin batter into a parchment lined bread pan. Sprinkle the streusel onto the top of the bread – make sure to cover all of it and not allow any orange batter to peak through.

Step 6

Bake in the oven on the center rack for 45-55 minutes. Watch it closely so it doesn’t dry out – the bread shouldn’t wiggle in the center anymore and a knife will come out clean when inserted. Remove from the oven and let cool.

Step 7

Prepare the maple glaze. In a bowl, stir together the powdered sugar, maple syrup and milk. It should be thick but runny. Drizzle it with a fork or spoon all over the top of the bread. Slice and enjoy.

Storage Suggestions

I kept my pumpkin bread in the bread pan and covered it with aluminum foil. Leave at room temperature and consume within 3-5 days before it gets dried out!

Other recipes to try

If you liked this pumpkin bread with streusel topping recipe, check out some of these:

Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Cinnamon Sugar

Pumpkin Cake with Brown Butter Buttercream

Harry Potter Pumpkin Pasties

Halloween Rice Krispie Treats

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