The Best Copycat Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread Mix

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Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread Mix

Trader Joe’s pumpkin bread mix is a delicious treat that is often only available for a short time each year. With our copycat recipe, you can enjoy making this amazing bread, anytime you want it! This bread recipe is very easy to prepare and tastes delicious. I am very excited to share this recipe with you, in hopes that you will like it just as much as I do!  

Pumpkin bread

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread & Muffin Mix 

Trader Joe’s carries a seasonal pumpkin bread mix that comes in both regular and gluten-free. But what if you want it, and it’s not available to you? We have the perfect solution without a recipe for a copycat Trader Joe’s pumpkin bread mix. 

Don’t Follow The Box Directions: Add More Pumpkin!

Before we look at our recipe to make pumpkin bread from scratch, let’s first look at a few things you can do to make the boxed mix from Trader Joe’s even better. If you are making the boxed mix, the instructions will direct you to only add eggs, oil, and water. However, if you want better bread or muffins, try adding an additional fifteen-ounce can of pumpkin puree to the mix. 

Extra Cinnamon and Nutmeg Make This Even Better

One of the best things about pumpkin bread and muffins, besides the delightful reminder of fall found in the flavor of pumpkin, is the spice of nutmeg and cinnamon. No matter if you are preparing a boxed mix of Trader Joe’s bread or making it from scratch, you will want to be sure that you do not overlook these spices. 

When making this bread mix from a box, try adding 1 tsp of cinnamon and 1 tsp nutmeg. This will make your bread all the better! You can also try adding additional spices to our recipe below if you love all things cinnamon and nutmeg. Now that you know a few tricks to make the boxed mix better, let’s look at how you can make a loaf of amazing pumpkin bread from ingredients around your house. 

Make Your Own Trader Joes Pumpkin Bread And Muffin Mix

Making your own copycat Trader Joe’s pumpkin bread from scratch is not much more difficult than mixing up a box mix. The only difference is that you will need a few more ingredients, to make it taste awesome. First, the ingredients you will need to make this bread. 

Trader Joes Pumpkin Bread mix top view

Pumpkin Bread Ingredients

All-purpose flour
Granulated sugar
Cinnamon
Cloves
Pumpkin pie spice
Salt
Baking soda
Oil
Eggs
Canned pumpkin
Raisings (optional)
Nuts (optional)

Pumpkin Bread Directions

To start off, in a mixing bowl, combine all of your dry ingredients. In a separate mixing bowl, combine your wet ingredients. Once both are mixed well, pour your wet mixture into your dry mixture and stir until combine. 

Pour your batter into a greased bread pan, and bake at 350°F for one hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the bread to sit in the pan for 10-15 minutes before you turn it out onto a cooling rack. 

To store your bread, while it is still warm place it into an airtight container or plastic bag. Secure the lid. This way, your bread will absorb the steam that is leaving it, and stay very moist. Serve while still hot, or after it has cooled. Enjoy! 

Special Equipment

For this recipe, only basic equipment is really needed. See the below list for suggested kitchen equipment. 

Two bowls
Mixer
Spatula
Cooking spray
Two bread pans

Copycat Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread & Muffin Recipe

Ingredients

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp cloves
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
½ tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
½ cup oil
15 oz can pumpkin puree
2 eggs
1 cup raisins (optional)
1 cup nuts (optional) 

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F. 

In a mixing bowl, combine all your dry ingredients. This includes flour, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and baking soda. In a separate mixing bowl, combine oil, pumpkin, eggs, raisins, and nuts. Stir until both are mixed well. Then pour your wet ingredients into your dry ingredients and mix well. 

Spray your two bread pans with cooking spray, then pour your batter into each pan. Make sure the batter is evenly distributed, then bake for 1 hour at 350°F. Check to see if fully baked by inserting a toothpick, once it comes out clean, remove your bread from the oven. Allow the bread to cool for about 10 minutes before turning it out onto a cooling rack. 

Note: If making muffins you will want to bake for about 20 minutes, then check on them every 5 minutes to see if they are finished baking.

Nutrition Facts

We estimate that one loaf of bread can easily be cut into eight slices. Given this, each slice contains 242 calories, 7.7g fat, 20mg cholesterol, 242mg sodium, 42.1g carbohydrates, and 3.2g protein. 

To compare directly to Trader Joe’s box mix, they estimate that each loaf can be cut into twelve slices. When we adapt our estimate to cutting one loaf into twelve slices, it is estimated that each loaf contains 162 calories, 5.1g total fat, .7g saturated fat, 14mg cholesterol, 161mg sodium, 28.1g carbohydrates, and 2.1g protein. When compared to the boxed mix, it is actually healthier to make our homemade recipe, than it is to make the box mix. 

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Make-Ahead and Storage

Our copycat Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread may be made ahead if desired. To make ahead, simply bake as instructed above and place in an airtight container or plastic bag. You may keep this bread after it has been cooked, on the counter for about four days. Or if you prefer, you may wrap it securely in plastic wrap and then place it inside a plastic bag in the freezer for three to four months. To thaw out your frozen bread, simply leave it at room temperature, or you can warm it in the oven at 350°F for about twenty minutes, or until it has warmed through. Remove and serve your freshly unfrozen bread. 

Trader Joes Pumpkin bread close up

Recipe Variations

There are many different recipe variations on basic pumpkin bread. Below are a few of the more common variations, as well as details on how you can make them yourself! 

Pumpkin Bread With Salted Brown Butter Glaze Recipe

Pumpkin bread with a salted brown butter glaze adds a delicious sweetness to the basic pumpkin bread. The great thing about the glaze is that it is easy to make. 

For the Bread: Prepare as instructed above

For the Glaze: In a mixing bowl, combine ½ cup powdered sugar, 2 Tbsp melted butter, 1 Tbsp milk, ½ tsp vanilla, ¼ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp salt, and 2 Tbsp brown sugar. Mix them to combine, then drizzle on top of your cooled pumpkin bread. 

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread

Adding a cream cheese filling or swirl to pumpkin bread, is absolutely the best! To add a cream cheese layer or swirl, simply combine 16 oz cream cheese, 1 ½ cup powdered sugar, and 2 tsp vanilla extract to a mixing bowl. Whisk on high until they have formed a frosting-like mixture. 

The cream cheese can be added to your bread in two different ways. The first is to pour half of your bread batter so that it covers the entire bottom of your pan. Then add the cream cheese layer and top with the remaining bread batter. Cook as instructed above. The other method is to pour your bread batter into the pan, then top it with your cream cheese mixture. Once both are added, take a toothpick or a knife and swirl the two mixtures together, over the top of the pan. Bake as instructed above. 

Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread & Muffin Baking Mix

To make a gluten-free version of this copycat Trader Joe’s pumpkin bread, simply substitute the regular all-purpose flour, with your favorite brand of gluten-free all-purpose flour. Otherwise, prepare as instructed above. 

Pumpkin Bars

To make pumpkin bars, simply use the above recipe with a few minor adaptions. You will want to only include 2 cups all-purpose flour, and include only 1 cup sugar. You will also want to add 1 tsp vanilla to your mixture. Pour your ingredients into a 9×9 inch pan, and bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes. Once cool, you may also enjoy topping these pumpkin bars with a cream cheese frosting. To make this frosting, combine 8 oz cream cheese with ½ cup soft butter, 1 tsp vanilla, ¼ tsp salt, and 4 cups powdered sugar. Stir to combine, then smooth on top of your pumpkin bars. 

Pumpkin Swirl Truffle Brownies Recipe 

Pumpkin swirl truffle brownies are made by swirling together with the batter for your pumpkin bread and your favorite prepared brownie batter. To make these, prepare your pumpkin bread as instructed above. Then, in a separate mixing bowl, make your favorite brownie recipe. Then pour both into a 9×13 inch pan, and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until no longer gooey in the middle. Enjoy! 

Make It Vegan Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread & Muffin Mix

To adapt this recipe above to be vegan, simply substitute out the egg and oil with your favorite vegan substitutes, such as “flaxseed egg”, ripe banana, and unsweetened apple sauce. Prepare as stated above and enjoy! 

Mini Pumpkin Muffins: A Tasty Fall Treat

Mini pumpkins make for a perfect fall treat. Try making the above bread recipe and pour your batter into mini muffin tins. Bake at 350°F for 10-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Serve and enjoy! 

What to serve with Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread

Alright, you are now set to make our copycat trader joe’s pumpkin bread. But what else can you have with it? There are so many amazing dishes that are great to enjoy with pumpkin bread. Here are a few ideas for you:

Want to try the world’s greatest pumpkin bread?

This amazing copycat recipe for Trader Joe’s pumpkin bread makes a delicious treat, that you have got to try! Not only is this recipe easy to make, but it is also healthier to make your own than use the box mix. 

Trader Joe’s Seasonal Pumpkin Bread

Trader Joe’s pumpkin bread mix is a delicious seasonal treat. However, when you make your own, from our copycat recipe, this amazing recipe can be enjoyed throughout the whole year. Give this recipe a try and add it to your menu! This bread is very delicious, I hope that you all will join me in enjoying it, with your loved ones. 

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Trader Joe's pumpkin bread mix pinterest image

This is a recipe I came up with to replicate the real thing.

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Author
Faith
Faith Has been cooking and baking for many years! she loves to share her recipes with the world, and hopes you will enjoy them too!

4 thoughts on “The Best Copycat Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread Mix”

  1. 5 stars
    My kids (3 & 5) LOVE the pumpkin muffin/bread mix from Trader Joes and I was sad when I went the other day to find them already sold out for the season. After my kids kept asking for these, I stumbled upon this recipe. I made these last night and they were PERFECTION!!! I actually think these are better than the TJ’s mix and more dense consistency. I made 2/3 of the batter into mini muffins (took approx 14-15 mins cook time) and the rest were regular size muffins. I separated my batter into three varieties: plain pumpkin, pumpkin + chocolate chips, and pumpkin + chopped pecans. All turned out great. I especially loved that none of the muffins came out burnt on the bottom and peeled easily from the cupcake liners I used. I will definitely be saving this recipe for the future and will be sharing it with family and friends.

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  2. 5 stars
    I’ve been making this recipe for a year now- year round it is such a hit! I’m so surprised more people haven’t reviewed it yet- it’s a hidden gem. 🙂 I do one large loaf in a 9.5×5 pan and I only use 1.5 cups of sugar- often a mix of white and brown depending on what I have on hand. It’s a favorite and so simple; I can get it accomplished even with a little one crawling around at my feet. Thanks for posting!

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