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There’s nothing quite like the smell of something warm and pumpkin-spiced baking in the oven on a cool fall morning.
This pumpkin pull-apart bread is soft, buttery, and filled with pumpkin spice flavor, with layers that you can pull apart and enjoy piece by piece.
It’s the kind of recipe that feels a little special but is actually pretty simple to make. Serve it for breakfast, brunch, or as a cozy afternoon treat with a cup of coffee.
If you’re planning a pumpkin-filled baking day, you might also enjoy Pumpkin Pie Protein Overnight Oats for an easy breakfast, Soft & Chewy Pumpkin Cookies for Fall for another sweet treat, or The Best Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls for Fall Baking when you’re in the mood for something extra cozy.
And if you want another pumpkin dessert that’s a little different, Pumpkin Pie Crisp is a great one to add to your fall baking list.
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Ingredients
For the Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Pumpkin Spice Filling
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
For the Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of cinnamon
How to Make Pumpkin Pull-Apart Bread
1. Make the Dough
In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and a teaspoon of the sugar. Let it sit for about 5–10 minutes, until the mixture becomes foamy.
Add the pumpkin puree, egg, melted butter, vanilla, remaining sugar, and salt. Stir to combine.
Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5–7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
2. Let the Dough Rise
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel.
Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
3. Make the Filling
While the dough rises, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon until smooth.
4. Roll Out the Dough
Once the dough has risen, roll it into a large rectangle, approximately 12 x 18 inches.
Spread the pumpkin spice filling evenly over the entire surface.
5. Cut and Stack
Cut the dough into several equal-sized rectangles or squares.
Stack the pieces loosely on top of each other and place them upright into a greased loaf pan. Don’t pack them too tightly—you want the pieces to have room to expand as they bake.
Cover and let the bread rise again for about 30 minutes.
6. Bake
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Bake for approximately 35–40 minutes, until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.
If the top begins browning too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil for the remainder of the baking time.
Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10–15 minutes.
7. Add the Glaze
Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Drizzle the glaze over the warm bread just before serving.
Tips for Making Pumpkin Pull-Apart Bread
Don’t add too much flour. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky. Adding too much flour can make the finished bread dense.
Give it enough time to rise. A good rise is what gives this bread its soft, fluffy texture.
Don’t worry about perfect pieces. That’s part of the charm of pull-apart bread! The layers don’t need to look perfect.
Serve it warm. This bread is especially good while it’s still slightly warm and the filling is soft and buttery.
More Cozy Pumpkin Recipes
If you’re spending some time in the kitchen this fall, there are plenty of ways to keep the pumpkin baking going.
Start the morning with Pumpkin Pie Protein Overnight Oats, then make a batch of Soft & Chewy Pumpkin Cookies for Fall for later in the day.
For a weekend baking project, try The Best Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls for Fall Baking. And when you’re looking for an easy dessert that doesn’t require making a pie crust, Pumpkin Pie Crisp is a delicious choice.
This pumpkin pull-apart bread is one of those recipes that’s made for sharing. Put the loaf in the middle of the table and let everyone pull off a warm, cinnamon-spiced piece. That’s my kind of fall baking.
Follow my cozy fall living board on Pinterest.
