Every fall, I start looking for easy pumpkin recipes that don't require a trip to the grocery store for a long list of ingredients. That's one of the reasons I love this 2 ingredient pumpkin bread so much. With just a box of spice cake mix and a can of pumpkin puree, I can have homemade pumpkin bread in the oven in just a few minutes.
I've made this recipe more times than I can count because it's one of those dependable fall recipes that always turns out moist and full of pumpkin spice flavor. Whether I'm baking it for breakfast, packing slices for an afternoon snack, or sharing a loaf with friends, this easy pumpkin bread with cake mix is one of my favorite shortcuts when I want homemade results without the extra work.
My Easy 2 Ingredient pumpkin muffin recipe inspired this. Looking for some other easy-to-bake recipes? Take a look at this post with my 15 top recipes made with cake mixes. All my favorites are in there! Just looking for pumpkin foods? Here's my favorite Easy Pumpkin Recipes and morespice cake mix recipes! If you need more, I have a big list of my best 3 Ingredient Desserts!
Table of contents
Why I love this Pumpkin Bread Mix Recipe with Pumpkin Puree
- Warm pumpkin spice flavor – I love pumpkin spice season, but I don't love paying coffee shop prices for pumpkin treats. This easy pumpkin bread lets me enjoy those cozy fall flavors at home for just a fraction of the cost.
- Ready in under 30 minutes – With only about 5 minutes of prep and less than 20 minutes of baking, this is one of my favorite recipes when I want a homemade treat without spending much time in the kitchen.
- Budget-friendly – Made with just a box of spice cake mix and a can of pumpkin puree, this inexpensive recipe is perfect for feeding a family or sharing with friends, neighbors, or coworkers.
- Great for beginner bakers – This recipe is almost foolproof! I've even had readers tell me their children made it as their very first baked recipe, and I love hearing those success stories.
- Pantry-friendly ingredients – I almost always keep cake mix and pumpkin puree in my pantry, so I can make this pumpkin bread anytime a craving strikes or I need a quick snack or dessert.
Ingredients for Pumpkin Bread using Cake Mix
- Spice Cake Mix - I prefer the Betty Crocker spice cake mix. This brand is my go-to box of cake mix since it tastes great, and it always turns out great!
- 100% Pure Pumpkin Puree. It is the smaller can (15-ounce) that you need to buy. Ensure it is not the pumpkin pie mix because it has additional ingredients we don't need.
- Optional - confectioners sugar - sprinkled on top before serving.
Instructions for Cake Mix Pumpkin Bread
Truly, this is one of the easiest pumpkin desserts you can make. The mixture of a can of pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice flavor cake mix amazingly tastes so much like fall! That's why I love it.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 1
Only add canned pumpkin and dry cake mix to your large bowl. Do NOT add the other ingredients from the back of the box. An electric hand mixer works well, too!
Step 2
The batter is thick when mixed. But that is how it is supposed to be. Just give it a good stir, and it will come together.
The batter will be thick and will bake in the shape it is put into the baking pan, so smoothing the top is helpful.
Susan's Helpful Tips
When smoothing out the batter, spraying the back of the spoon with a nonstick baking spray is helpful. It's a sticky dough.
Use a toothpick and insert it into the center of the cake to test if it's done. The cake is done when the toothpick comes out clean. It takes roughly 45 minutes to bake.
Variations
This recipe was inspired by many questions on my 2 ingredient pumpkin muffin recipe post. The most popular question was, "Can I make a pumpkin loaf with 2 ingredients"?. So, yes, yes you can!
If you like easy muffins, this 3 ingredient chocolate banana muffin recipe is also delicious! It's a fantastic way to use up those extra bananas that are a little over-ripe.
This recipe is also known as a pumpkin spice loaf.
Storing Cake Mix Pumpkin Bread
Wrap it when cool and store it in the refrigerator for a maximum of 4 days. An airtight container also works!
To freeze, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. This delicious pumpkin loaf can be stored in the freezer for a month.
FAQs
Pie filling has extra spices and sugar added. This recipe is made with pure pumpkin. The spices and sugar come from the cake mix.
No. Just follow the directions and use the cake mix and a can of pumpkin.
Yes. But add approximately 1 ½ to 2 teaspoons of pumpkin spice seasoning to give you the nice pumpkin spice flavor in your loaf.
Other delicious desserts
Please come back and give a 5-star rating if you enjoyed this recipe!
Pumpkin Bread with Cake Mix
Ingredients
- 1 box spice cake mix
- 1 15 oz can pure pumpkin
- Confectioners icing to sift on top optional to dress it up!
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease a loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line bottom and two long sides with parchment paper.
- Mix the contents of the canned pumpkin into the spice cake mix in a large sized bowl. It will be a thick batter. Do NOT add the ingredients from the cake instructions on the back of the cake mix box.
- Spread evenly into your baking pan. I recommend smoothing the top of the batter with a large spoon (spray nonstick cooking spray on the back of the spoon - the batter is sticky).
- Baking time is approximately 45 minutes. Check if it is done by inserting a toothpick in the center. When it comes out clean, remove from oven.
- Cool then sift confectioners sugar on top prior to serving.
Notes
Nutrition (estimate)
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Patricia
Can you use your 2 ingredient pumpkin bread and just add All ingredients like a pumpkin roll would make and create a pumpkin roll? Or could I possibly make the pumpkin bread as directions says Let cool cut open and just add pumpkin roll ingredients in the middle? Or has anyone ever tried this
Susan Moncrieff
I don't think this recipe would 'roll' well as a pumpkin roll. However, if you slice it in half and add the pumpkin roll mixture, I think it would be fabulous!
Sheila
What size loaf pan?
Susan Moncrieff
Hi Sheila,
A regular-sized loaf pan works. Mine is 9.25" x 5.25". There is a regular-sized loaf pan that is just a bit smaller. That one will work just as well!