This Pumpkin Ricotta Bread with Honey Glaze is the perfect autumn-inspired treat! Imagine a moist, tender pumpkin bread enriched with creamy ricotta and topped with a delicate honey glaze – it’s a beautiful, elegant loaf that’s perfect for cozy mornings, afternoon tea, or even dessert. 🎂 With its subtle sweetness and lovely pumpkin spice flavor, this bread is just the thing to celebrate the fall season. 🍂
The idea for this recipe came from our love of classic pumpkin bread, but we wanted to create something a little more special. By adding ricotta, we get an incredibly moist, tender crumb that feels almost luxurious. The honey glaze is the finishing touch, adding a hint of sweetness that makes each slice feel extra indulgent. ✨ It’s a recipe that looks as good as it tastes – perfect for a gathering, gift-giving, or just enjoying at home.
🎃 Why Pumpkin and Ricotta?
Pumpkin adds natural sweetness and a beautiful orange hue, while ricotta makes the bread soft and tender without being overly dense. Together, they create a moist, rich loaf with a hint of creaminess that’s both delicious and unique.
A Cozy Bread with Elegant Flavor 🍯🍞
This Pumpkin Ricotta Bread is more than just a loaf – it’s an experience in every slice. The pumpkin gives it that classic fall flavor, while the ricotta adds a rich, delicate texture that elevates the bread to something special. When topped with the honey glaze, it becomes beautifully glossy with just the right amount of sweetness to complement the spices. ✨
We love this bread because it’s versatile and easy to make. You can enjoy it warm from the oven, at room temperature, or even toasted with a little butter. Each slice is moist and flavorful, with a hint of warmth from cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s the perfect addition to your fall baking lineup, and it looks absolutely stunning on the table!
🍂 Pumpkin Spice Perfection 🍂
The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves brings out the natural flavor of the pumpkin, creating a cozy, spiced loaf that’s ideal for autumn. 🍁 For extra warmth, add a pinch of ginger or cardamom to the mix.
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Ricotta Bread 🎉
This bread is everything we adore about fall baking – it’s warm, comforting, and filled with seasonal flavor. The ricotta makes it incredibly moist and tender, giving each slice a soft, almost cake-like texture that’s hard to resist. And the honey glaze? 🍯 It’s the icing on the (bread) cake, adding a beautiful shine and just the right touch of sweetness.
Another reason we love this bread is its versatility. You can serve it as part of a cozy breakfast spread, as a snack with tea, or even as a simple dessert. It also makes a lovely gift – wrap it up in parchment and tie with twine for a homemade treat that’s both thoughtful and delicious.
Serving Suggestions and Glaze Tips 🍽️
This Pumpkin Ricotta Bread is delicious on its own, but the honey glaze truly brings it to life. To make the glaze, simply whisk together a bit of honey, powdered sugar, and a splash of milk until smooth. Drizzle it over the cooled bread for a glossy, sweet finish that enhances the pumpkin and spices.
For an extra special touch, top the glaze with a sprinkle of chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, or a dusting of cinnamon. If you’re serving this bread for brunch or dessert, pair it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an added treat. 🍦
🍯 Pro Tip: Making the Perfect Honey Glaze
To keep the glaze smooth and glossy, add the milk a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency. For a thicker glaze, use less milk; for a lighter drizzle, add a bit more. ✨
Why This Bread is Perfect for Fall 🍁🎃
This Pumpkin Ricotta Bread with Honey Glaze is the epitome of autumn comfort. It’s rich, flavorful, and has a moist, tender crumb that keeps you coming back for more. With its warm spices, creamy ricotta, and sweet honey glaze, it’s a loaf that brings warmth and a touch of elegance to any table. Whether you’re sharing it with loved ones or savoring a slice on your own, it’s the kind of recipe that makes fall baking feel extra special.
So, if you’re looking for a new way to enjoy pumpkin this season, give this bread a try! It’s a little bit cozy, a little bit fancy, and absolutely delicious – the perfect treat to make your autumn days even sweeter. Happy baking!
Ingredients
For the Pumpkin Ricotta Bread:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Honey Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp milk or more for consistency
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, ricotta, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully combined.
- Combine the mixtures: Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fill the loaf pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake the bread: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If the top begins to brown too quickly, cover the loaf loosely with aluminum foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
- Prepare the honey glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, honey, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Glaze the bread: Once the bread has cooled slightly, drizzle the honey glaze over the top of the loaf. Allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving.
Notes
For an extra layer of flavor, add a touch of orange zest to the honey glaze.
This Pumpkin Ricotta Bread with Honey Glaze is a luxurious twist on the traditional loaf, with the addition of creamy ricotta and a sweet honey glaze for a sophisticated fall treat. Perfect for sharing or enjoying with a cup of tea!
🥄 Common Questions About Pumpkin Ricotta Bread 🍞
Can I use canned pumpkin?
Yes! Canned pumpkin works wonderfully here. Just make sure it’s pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, for the best flavor. 🎃
Can I make this without ricotta?
If you don’t have ricotta, try substituting with Greek yogurt or mascarpone for a similar texture. Each will add a slightly different flavor, but both work beautifully. 🧀
How long does this bread keep?
Stored in an airtight container, this bread stays moist for up to 4 days at room temperature. It also freezes well – just wrap slices individually for easy thawing! ❄️
I tried it, and it was amazing! Super moist, perfectly sweet, and easy to make. This recipe is a keeper—thank you for sharing!
Le goût est fantastique – je vais le recommander à tout le monde !