Easy Pumpkin Bread With Cake Mix (Moist & Delicious)

This pecan-pumpkin spice bread is the perfect recipe for cooler months, especially right around Thanksgiving. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the warmth of pumpkin spice without spending hours in the kitchen, making it a hit for family gatherings or even as a gift to neighbors.

If you love autumn-inspired recipes, check out my 3-Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins, Banana and Pumpkin Muffins, Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes, and Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges, tossed in a spicy chipotle-maple mixture. But without further ado, let's whip up this gorgeous cake mix pumpkin bread and make your kitchen smell like fall!

Craving a warm, comforting loaf with velvety vanilla glaze that’s easy to make? This delicious bread, studded with melty chocolate chips, comes together quickly and fills your home with the cozy scent of pumpkin pie spice!

• Super quick: With just 10 minutes of prep, it’s an easy recipe for busy days.
• Family-friendly: The chocolate chips and sweet glaze make it a hit with everyone.
• Versatile: Enjoy it for breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or dessert.
• Minimal effort: Using a box of cake mix means less fuss.
• Great for gifting: Wrap it up for a thoughtful, homemade treat.

Gather these simple ingredients to create a tender, flavorful loaf that’s perfect for fall! Scroll to the bottom of this post for the recipe card with exact measurements.

• Pumpkin purée: This adds rich, earthy flavor and keeps the bread incredibly moist. Use mashed sweet potato for a similar texture.
• Eggs: They bring the batter together and add structure. If you use liquid eggs, read the packaging for the right conversion.
• Vegetable oil: This contributes to a moist texture. Swap with melted butter or canola oil for a slightly richer flavor.
• Whole milk: This adds creaminess and helps blend the batter smoothly. Unsweetened almond, coconut, and oat milk are good alternatives for a dairy-free version.
• Vanilla extract: This enhances the fall flavors with a warm, sweet note. Almond extract can add a unique twist.
• Spice cake mix: This provides the pumpkin spice flavor and simplifies the recipe.
• Chopped pecans: These offer a nutty crunch to complement the soft loaf. Swap with pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for a nut-free option.
• Mini chocolate chips: These bring sweet bursts of chocolatey goodness. Milk, semi-sweet, and dark chocolate all work for this.
• Powdered sugar: This creates a sweet, smooth glaze for a polished finish. It's also called "confectioners' sugar." There's no good substitute, but you can skip the glaze for a simpler loaf.
• Milk: This thins the glaze for easy drizzling. Use any plant-based milk for a dairy-free glaze.
• Vanilla extract: This adds a sweet, aromatic touch to the glaze.

See recipe card for quantities.

This simple recipe is all about ease and cozy vibes! You’ll prep a pumpkin batter with a box of spice cake mix, add tasty mix-ins, and bake a fluffy loaf in no time. Here’s the full recipe:

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together all the wet ingredients until smooth.

2. Step 2: Add the spice cake mix and stir until the batter is well combined with no dry streaks remaining.

3. Step 3: Gently fold in the chopped pecans and mini chocolate chips.

4. Step 4: Pour the batter into a greased 9x5-inch loaf pan and bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Want to switch things up with this cake mix recipe for your pumpkin-loving guests? Try these fun twists for a delicious pumpkin loaf!

Make pumpkin muffins: Line a muffin tin and pour batter into each cavity until ¾s full. Bake at 350F for 18-22 minutes.

Bake in the center rack: Always bake in the center rack to prevent the bottom or top of your cake from browning too early and burning.

Swap the glaze: Substitute 1 tablespoon milk in the glaze for 1 tablespoon maple syrup to give your pumpkin cake some extra fall flair.

Change the box mix: If you don't have spice cake mix on hand, substitute it with yellow cake mix, white cake mix, or chocolate cake mix plus a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.

Banana-pumpkin bread: Swap half of the pumpkin puree in the recipe for mashed bananas to enhance the bread's natural sweetness.

Go vegan: Use flax eggs, plant-based milk, and non-dairy chocolate chips for a super yummy vegan version.

Different add-ins: Dried cranberries, raisins, golden raisins, butterscotch chips, chopped walnuts, and shredded coconut are great alternatives to the add-ins in the recipe. Add as many as you want, as long as the total is no more than 1 cup.

Spice it up: Stir ¼-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice into the dry ingredients for a cozier, spiced flavor.

Frost it: Skip the glaze and pipe your favorite cream cheese frosting over the cake for a tangy twist.

This moist pumpkin bread with hints of vanilla is a cozy, sweet treat for fall! Try these ideas to make your afternoons and gatherings extra special.

• Enjoy a slice with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa for the ultimate afternoon snack.
• For an extra decadent dessert, I love to serve it with whipped cream and a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or pair it with my 3-Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins and Banana Pumpkin Muffins for a cozy pumpkin treat.
• It's perfect for parties, served alongside my Healthy Brownie Batter Dip, Caramel Apple Pretzel Bites, and Cookies and Cream Popcorn.
• For a savory twist, serve it with Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges, Skillet Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash or Crispy Roasted Sweet Potato for a comforting, flavorful combo.

Got leftovers of this delicious bread? Here’s how to keep it fresh for 5-7 days or longer!

Refrigeration

Tightly wrap the loaf or individual slices in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Refrigerate for 5-7 days. Let it come down to room temperature before serving.

Reheating

You don't need to reheat it, but it gives it that freshly-baked feel that I love. Warm slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a toaster oven at 300°F for 5 minutes to restore softness.

Freezing

Wrap the cooled loaf or slices in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Want to make this golden pumpkin cake shine any time of year? These tricks ensure the best results for your flavorful loaf!

Don’t overmix: Stir the pumpkin mixture until just combined. Some small lumps left in the batter are okay because overmixing results in a dense loaf.

Stick to a 9x5-inch loaf pan: Using the wrong size loaf pan can mess up the loaf. A smaller pan makes the batter too deep, so it takes longer to cook and can end up raw in the middle. A larger pan spreads it too thin, so it bakes too fast and can dry out the bread.

Line it: If your loaf pan has been with you for longer than you can remember, it's best to line it with parchment paper for this recipe. It prevents any sticking and ensures a beautiful, perfectly shaped loaf once you remove it from the pan.

Let it cool: Don't remove the bread from the loaf pan immediately after baking because it'll crumble. Give it 10-15 minutes to rest (and set) before carefully transferring it onto a wire rack to finish cooling before slicing.

Got questions about this easy pumpkin bread recipe? Here are answers to help you bake the perfect recipe!

No. Stick to pumpkin purée, a sugar-free one (if possible), for this cake mix recipe. Pumpkin filling tends to be pre-sweetened and spiced, altering the final flavor and texture.

Yes! A whisk or silicone spatula works just fine.

Absolutely! This delicious pumpkin loaf is super tasty on its own.

Omit chopped pecans and use pumpkin seeds or extra chocolate chips for a nut-free alternative.

The Betty Crocker Spice Cake Mix is my absolute favorite, but feel free to use your preferred brand.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Easy 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins (With Spice Cake Mix)

High-Protein Banana Split Yogurt Recipe for Breakfast

Summer Berry Ricotta Parfait (Easy 4th of July Dessert)

Caramel Apple Pretzel Bites

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this pumpkin bread:

Best Banana And Pumpkin Muffins (Moist & Fluffy)

How To Bake Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes In The Oven

Spicy Chicken Waffle Cones with Creamy Sriracha Sauce

Mexican Street Corn Popcorn (Homemade Elote Popcorn)

This moist pumpkin bread is a fantastic way to enjoy cozy fall flavors with your favorite pumpkin-lovers! Share your creations with me on Hungry Whisk, and don’t forget to subscribe for more delicious recipes and printable recipe cards!