Pumpkin-Shaped Pumpkin Bread Is Your Fall Weekend Project

It doesn’t get cozier (or cuter!) than this.

Related To:

Pumpkin-Shaped Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin-Shaped Pumpkin Bread

Fall baking season begins right now — if you haven’t gotten a head start already, that is. Although there are tons of great recipes you can kick off the season with, nothing says autumn quite like pumpkin bread. Much like banana or zucchini bread, this tasty recipe allows seasonal produce to shine. As an added bonus, though, our recipe is actually shaped like a pumpkin for a beautiful loaf that’s sure to impress.

Want to know the secret? It actually requires just a few strips of kitchen twine. Here’s how you do it: cut kitchen twine into three long pieces and cross them in the middle in the shape of a star. After that, plop a yeast dough that’s packed with fall flavor (thanks to pumpkin puree, cinnamon and brown sugar) into the center and tie the twine into a knot at the top, creating a dome around the dough. Let the dough rise until the twine has tightened and the dough is set in the proper pumpkin shape. After that, you’re just about ready to bake — all you need to do is apply a simple egg wash and set a cinnamon stick “stem.” The best part? The cinnamon stick will fill your kitchen with an amazing aroma as the bread bakes, sending fall vibes all throughout your home.

But wait, there’s more! While the bread cools, whip up a spiced pumpkin butter that will take your homemade masterpiece to the next level. The butter, which is flavored by pumpkin puree, maple syrup and cinnamon, will only heighten the fall flavors of the bread — and its bright orange color looks fantastic, too.

So, next time you find yourself with a few hours to spare, break out the pumpkin puree, put on your favorite fall playlist (or podcast) and have a blast with a bread-baking project. After all, the perfect fall weekend isn’t complete without pumpkin spice and everything nice!

Related Links:

Next Up

Best 5 Pumpkin Bread Recipes

Celebrate the beginning of fall with Food Network's best five pumpkin bread recipes.

10 Savory Ways to Use Pumpkin This Fall

There's more to pumpkin than pie and lattes.

Here’s Why Pumpkin and Chocolate Belong Together

It might sound strange, but it tastes sooo good.

Chilled-Out Pumpkin Recipes to Make While It’s Still Hot Outside

Don’t worry — you’ll have plenty of time for fall baking later.

Stop Putting Pumpkin Spice in Your Latte

Or at least save a few tablespoons for dinner...

Why You Should Be Baking Your Next Chocolate Cake Inside a Pumpkin

It's a fall dessert that doubles as a centerpiece.

This Cheesecake-Filled Babka Banished All My Babka Baking Fears

Sometimes a two-day baking project is just what you need to build up your confidence!