This Pumpkin Pecan Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread makes baking with yeast a breeze, and will satisfy all of your sticky, sweet cravings!
Subtly spiced layers of sweet, chewy pumpkin bread + pecans + tons of cinnamon sugar = a gorgeous loaf of sticky, sweet, ooey-gooey pumpkin pecan cinnamon sugar pull apart bread!
This post is going to be short and sweet, because of two things: 1) I don’t think I need to sell you guys much on this beauty, and 2) MIDTERMS.
Senior year of college and work is getting absolutely crazy, with papers and tests and case studies come at me from every direction. Baking’s getting me through it, especially when it means indulging in a bit of pull apart bread that’s still warm, still gooey, and absolutely filled with all the flavors I love about fall.
If you’re scared of yeast bread, don’t be. I made this bread extra easy for yeast novices, as in, you don’t even need to let the yeast proof (or even know what that means).
You just stir the yeast into half of your dry ingredients, add warm liquid, and then add the rest of the flour. Voila – bread that will rise perfectly. I’ve never had trouble with this method, and I used to mess up yeast breads a lot when it came to the rising part.
The rolling out process is simple, and don’t be afraid to really pack on the sugar, read: photo below
Also, that photo was taken with a disposable camera. But, I thought I’d include it cause you can sort of see how I cut up the strips. What I was starting to do when this was taken was place the strips on top of each other to make a stack of 6 strips. Then I cut that into 6 pieces, and placed them in the pan. Easy peasy. So worth the little bit of effort.
This bread was a major favorite, and when I had to make it a second time because I didn’t like my pictures the first time, there were absolutely no complaints.
Mmm, I need to stop talking about this bread or it’s gonna be made a third time.
Talk to you guys soon! Enjoy <3
Pumpkin Pecan Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread
Ingredients
For the bread
- 1/2 cup milk I used almond
- 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 1/4 teaspoons 1 envelope instant yeast
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
For the filling
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup pecans chopped
Instructions
For the bread dough
- In a saucepan over medium-high heat, brown the 2 tablespoons of butter. When it’s lightly browned, remove it from the heat and pour it into a medium sized bowl to cool. In the same saucepan over medium-low heat, warm the milk until it bubbles. Remove it from the heat and pour it into the bowl with the butter. Let these cool until they’re about 100-110°F (use a candy thermometer to check).
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and yeast. Add in the butter-milk mixture when it’s between 100-110°F. Fit your stand mixture with a dough hook and mix these together until combined. Add in the pumpkin puree and remaining flour. Mix until combined. Dough should be only slightly sticky - add more flour (a little bit at a time) if necessary. Let knead in stand mixer on low-medium speed for 5 minutes, until the dough is silky and smooth.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm place for about an hour until it doubles in size (you can put it in the fridge overnight to use it in the morning after it rises! Let the dough sit out for half an hour before rolling if you do).
For the filling
- While the dough is rising, whisk the sugars, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a small bowl. Toward the end of the rising time, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter for the filling in the saucepan over medium-high heat and brown it as directed above. Put it in a small heat-safe bowl to cool for use later.
To shape and bake pull-apart bread
- Grease and flour a 9”x5” loaf pan and set aside. Knead a sprinkling of flour (about 1 tablespoon) into the dough, deflating it, and recover it. Let it sit to relax for 5 minutes. Flour a large work surface and turn your rested dough out onto it. Roll it out to a 20 inch long and 12 inch wide rectangle, lifting corners periodically to make sure it’s not sticking. If it seems to be snapping back, cover it with your damp towel and let it rest for 5 minutes before continuing.
- Spread the browned butter over the surface of the dough with a pastry brush and then sprinkle the sugar mixture and chopped pecans over the top, pressing it in as best you can.
- With the long edge of the rectangle toward you, cut it into 6 strips (do this by cutting the rectangle in half, then cutting each half into equal thirds. I used a pizza cutter). Stack these strips carefully on top of one another, trying to keep the sugar on top, and cut the resulting stack into 6 even portions. Place these portions one at a time into your greased loaf pan, pressing them up against each other to fit them all in. Sprinkle any cinnamon sugar and pecans that may have fallen out over the top of the loaf. Cover the pan with a warm damp cloth and place it in a warm place for 30-45 minutes to rise.
- While dough rises, preheat oven to 350°F (or 325° if you have a glass loaf dish instead of a metal pan). When the loaf has risen, place it in the center of the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until dark golden brown on top. Cool for 20-30 minutes on a cooling rack in the loaf pan. Store tightly wrapped.
Recipe adapted from Willow Bird
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says
I didn’t think it was possible to put so much yumminess into one loaf, but you made it happen. And now I need to make this bread happen in my kitchen ASAP. :) Pinned!
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen says
I can’t even handle how amazing this bread looks. WOW!! Can’t wait to try it out at home!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I love pull apart breads because it’s so fun and delicious to eat! This pumpkin cinnamon sugar bread looks amazing, Rachel! I love your creativity!
Sarah | The Sugar Hit says
This is gorgeous! I’m in a pecan phase at the moment, so I’m pretty much all about this bread right now.
Laura @PetiteAllergyTreats says
Sold! Love this gorgeous bread… Study up girl, so you rock midterms! Pinned this beautiful creation of yours.
Laura @PetiteAllergyTreats says
Sold! Love this gorgeous bread… Study up girl, so you rock midterms! Pinned this beautiful creation of yours.
Rachel @the dessert chronicles says
I am not sure how I haven’t discovered your blog before, but I am so glad that I did. This break looks insane. Literally all of my favorite flavors in one sticky loaf. Perfection. Can’t wait to see what else you make :-).
Rachel Conners says
Thanks so much Rachel!
Beeta says
Yummy! That looks beautiful, Rachel!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
yeah you definitely don’t need to sell us on this beauty! All you had to do was say, “pumpkin-pecan-cinnamon-sugar-pull-apart-bread” and I’m sold!! love this pull apart bread! Good luck with midterms!
Rachel Conners says
Thanks so much Alice! :)
Amanda Paa says
this looks incredible! bravo to mastering the yeast intimidation and making it easier for everyone.
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
This pull-apart bread is amazing! Love the cinnamon sugar, so delicious!
Beth @ bethcakes says
Rachel, this is gorgeous!! I’ve only made pull apart bread once and thought it was a little too much effort, but I am seriously reconsidering that because this is incredible. Perfect fall treat right here! :)
Julia @ Sprinkled With Jules says
I can relate to the midterm madness. I’m currently trying to apply to transfer places and making decisions like this is stressful! I could use a whole loaf of this to myself :)
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps says
A. Nope you don’t need to sell me on this. All you’d need is a picture of this BEAUTY. B. Oh my gosh, every time I think I miss college, I think about tests and finals and I do not miss it. BUT with that said, take in, you’ll miss it later! :) GOOD LUCK!
Allie | Baking a Moment says
Holy moly, girl, you probably could have left this a wordless post because I was sold the second I saw it! This bread looks incredible! Congrats on a jaw-dropping post and good luck with your midterms!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
this bread look gorgeous and packed with flavors! :) good luck with your midterms!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
I seriously pinned this as soon as I saw it!
Mira says
This is a great idea for a sweet pull apart bread! I never thought that it could be made the way you did. Looks delicious , pinned!
Aysegul - Ice says
Ohh my this looks so yum!
Love love love pull apart breads! :)
Ashley says
Yeah, you definitely don’t need to sell me on this! It looks amazing! I’ve wanted to make pull apart bread for the longest time – I need to find time to make it happen!
Chineka @ Savor The Baking says
Hey Rachel. This recipe sounds delicious and your food photography is amazing. I’ll be dropping by your blog more often. Good luck on midterms and I don’t live too far from where you go to school. I’m mentally preparing myself for the rainy Washington season…lol
Rachel Conners says
Thanks Chineka, glad you stopped by! And I know, there’s a serious storm brewing outside right now…let the rainy months begin!
[email protected] in the Kitchen says
This pull apart bread looks fantastic! I would need at least ten people over to share it. Otherwise, I’d eat the whole thing myself!! :)
GiGi Eats says
I must shield my eyes from this food porn, it’s just too much! AH ha ha ah! My eyes are just too young for this extreme deliciousness – LOL!
[email protected] says
Oh my word. This looks to die for. Move over cinnamon rolls, my new love is pull apart bread!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
I was totally sold the second I saw this. It looks gorgeous girl, love everything in here. I’ve never made a pull apart bread before and yours sounds perfect especially for fall. Pinning and good luck with your midterms girl :)
Rachel Conners says
Thanks so much Kelly!! You totally need to try making pull apart bread – you’ll be hooked!
[email protected] The Gastronomic Bong says
Beautiful!! absolutely beautiful. . Love the sound of pumpkin cinammon pull apart bread.. love everything aboutthis. .. delicious!!
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says
Girl, this pull apart bread looks FANTASTIC! I might try to make this for a friendsgiving gathering!!
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures says
Wow! I was sold when I first saw the picture! Good luck on midterms!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
Good luck on midterms! This bread looks incredible! I wish I had a piece right now!
[email protected] says
Oh my goodness, this looks just amazing! I want some now :)
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
This is THE best pumpkin pull apart bread I have ever seen.. wish I could dive in and devour some right now. Excuse me while I go and pin basically your whole website, your photography is incredible.
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Recipes like this that take a little while to prep aren’t the most fun in the moment but the results…oh boy, soooo awesome looking! Pinned! Great shots and a great recipe!
Cailee says
Oh my word!! This looks amazing!! I can’t eat gluten (sadly I’m gluten intolerant), but I’m pretty sure this is worth getting sick over! It looks so chewy and yummy!! Great recipe for a chilly fall afternoon with a nice cup of hot tea!
Rachel Conners says
My sister is gluten-free as well! I wish I had a good gluten-free bread flour alternative, but I haven’t tried one I’ve loved. Thanks for all the nice words, Cailee!
Christina @ Bake with Christina says
OMG this pull-apart bread looks AMAZING! Gotta try this out sometime! Pinned!
Jessica @ Sweet Menu says
Ooh what beautiful bread! This looks truly scrumptious!!!
Michele @ Two Raspberries says
oh my gosh! this looks wayyy to yummy! mouthwatering i need this like now! ;-)
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I’ve never made a pull-apart bread but after looking at this one, I must make it. It looks so gooey and sweet but then there’s the pumpkin spices. Irresistible!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
First let’s address the fact that you still have a disposable camera!?!?!?! Hi-larious.
Next I cannot get over all the yumminess that you stuffed in this bread! This bread almost makes me feel like going back to college would be bearable…almost. Good luck on your midterms! Pinned!
Rachel Conners says
Haha my friends bought some to bring out on my 21st birthday!! Thanks so much for the luck and the pin, Lindsey!
Lucy Parissi says
This looks amazing! I have been looking to pumpkin recipes and this may well be IT! Beautiful. I will come back after I make it (provided I can find the pumpkin purée in the UK)
Kate @ ¡Hola! Jalapeño says
Holy Whoa!!! That looks so incredible! I’m pinning that baby all over the place!
Christina says
This is my first time making a yeast-bread, so I’m really pleased how it turned out and how yummy this recipe was! My only question is, I assume you pack in the pecans with the sugar/cinnamon filling mix, right? You didn’t specifically mention it in the filling portion of the recipe, but based on the pictures I went ahead and did it anyways. Just wanted to make sure!
Rachel Conners says
Hi Christina, so glad that the bread turned out well! Congrats on your first yeast bread :) You are totally right about the pecans, and thanks for letting me know. I’ll update the recipe.