Pumpkin Bread Lab · Decision tree
Find your pumpkin bread
Three questions sort all 142 recipes into 8 groups. Each question is about one of the ingredients recipes disagree on most, and splits the recipes in front of it at their own median, so each answer keeps about half of them. Every group ends with its median recipe in grams and the real recipes nearest it.
The questions
Question 1
More spice than most, or less?
Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves, or a pumpkin pie spice blend.
All 142 recipes: median 2.4% of the flour weight, 6 g per 250 g of flour; middle half 1.7% to 3.1%.
Question 2
More pumpkin than most, or less?
Pumpkin puree is the liquid and the color; more makes a denser, moister loaf.
All 142 recipes: median 127% of the flour weight, 315 g per 250 g of flour; middle half 98% to 155%.
Asked within each answer to question 1, split at the median of the recipes that gave it.
Question 3
More sugar than most, or less?
Pumpkin bread is among the sweetest quick breads; brown sugar adds a molasses note.
All 142 recipes: median 114% of the flour weight, 285 g per 250 g of flour; middle half 88% to 136%.
Asked within each answer to question 2, split at the median of the recipes that gave it.
The key
Read left to right: pick an answer to question 1, then one of the answers beside it for question 2, and so on to a group. Each cell gives the answer, its bound in grams per 100 g of flour, and how many recipes give it.
| 1. Spice | 2. Pumpkin | 3. Sugar | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| More2.4% or more73 | Moreover 131%36 | More120% or more19 | A19 |
| Lessunder 120%17 | B17 | ||
| Less131% or less37 | Moreover 104%19 | C19 | |
| Less104% or less18 | D18 | ||
| Lessunder 2.4%69 | More112% or more35 | Moreover 127%17 | E17 |
| Less127% or less18 | F18 | ||
| Lessunder 112%34 | Moreover 98%17 | G17 | |
| Less98% or less17 | H17 |
The 8 groups
Each median recipe is the median of every ingredient over the group's recipes, scaled to 250 g of flour, beside the typical loaf of all 142. Bold rows are the ingredients the questions asked about.
Group A · 19 recipes · 13% of all
More spice, more pumpkin and more sugar
Spice 2.4% or more, pumpkin over 131% and sugar 120% or more of the flour weight.
| At 250 g flour | Group A | All |
|---|---|---|
| Flour | 250 g | 250 g |
| Pumpkin | 425 g | 315 g |
| Sugar | 345 gabout 1 3/4 cups | 285 g |
| Fat | 145 gabout 2/3 cup | 125 g |
| Egg | 150 gabout 3 large eggs | 115 g |
| Spice | 8 g | 6 g |
| Leavening | 10 g | 9 g |
| Salt | 3.5 g | 3.5 g |
Bake350°F (175°C) for about 60 minutes, the medians of the 18 recipes here that state a temperature and the 19 that state a time.
Nearest the middle of group A
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Bread Recipe · recipesfromapantry.comspice 3% · pumpkin 136% · sugar 137%
- Brown Butter Pumpkin Bread · mybakingaddiction.comspice 3.1% · pumpkin 170% · sugar 160%
- Pecan Praline Pumpkin Bread · lifeloveandsugar.comspice 3.1% · pumpkin 164% · sugar 159%
- Brown Butter Pumpkin Bread · twopeasandtheirpod.comspice 3.3% · pumpkin 168% · sugar 121%
- Pumpkin Bread Recipe · lifeloveandsugar.comspice 3% · pumpkin 164% · sugar 159%
Group B · 17 recipes · 11% of all
More spice, more pumpkin and less sugar
Spice 2.4% or more, pumpkin over 131% and sugar under 120% of the flour weight.
| At 250 g flour | Group B | All |
|---|---|---|
| Flour | 250 g | 250 g |
| Pumpkin | 390 g | 315 g |
| Sugar | 250 gabout 1 1/4 cups | 285 g |
| Fat | 115 gabout 1/2 cup | 125 g |
| Egg | 100 gabout 2 large eggs | 115 g |
| Spice | 8 g | 6 g |
| Leavening | 9 g | 9 g |
| Salt | 3.5 g | 3.5 g |
Bake350°F (175°C) for about 60 minutes, the medians of the 16 recipes here that state a temperature and the 17 that state a time.
Nearest the middle of group B
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Pumpkin Bread · momontimeout.comspice 2.8% · pumpkin 147% · sugar 94%
- Moist Pumpkin Bread · isabeleats.comspice 3.3% · pumpkin 168% · sugar 96%
- Pumpkin Bread · sugarspunrun.comspice 2.6% · pumpkin 147% · sugar 99%
- Whole Wheat Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting · bakeschool.comspice 2.6% · pumpkin 140% · sugar 80%
- Pumpkin Bread · africanbites.comspice 3.8% · pumpkin 177% · sugar 85%
Group C · 19 recipes · 13% of all
More spice, less pumpkin and more sugar
Spice 2.4% or more, pumpkin 131% or less and sugar over 104% of the flour weight.
| At 250 g flour | Group C | All |
|---|---|---|
| Flour | 250 g | 250 g |
| Pumpkin | 290 g | 315 g |
| Sugar | 330 gabout 1 2/3 cups | 285 g |
| Fat | 130 gabout 1/2 cup | 125 g |
| Egg | 120 gabout 2 1/2 large eggs | 115 g |
| Spice | 8 g | 6 g |
| Leavening | 9 g | 9 g |
| Salt | 3.5 g | 3.5 g |
Bake350°F (175°C) for about 55 minutes, the medians of the 18 recipes here that state a temperature and the 19 that state a time.
Nearest the middle of group C
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Pumpkin Bread Recipe | How to Make Pumpkin Loaf Bread Recipe · yummytummyaarthi.comspice 3.1% · pumpkin 117% · sugar 143%
- Same-Day Sourdough Discard Pumpkin Bread · theclevercarrot.comspice 2.8% · pumpkin 105% · sugar 135%
- Pumpkin Bread · livewellbakeoften.comspice 2.4% · pumpkin 119% · sugar 119%
- Pumpkin Bread · jessicagavin.comspice 4.1% · pumpkin 118% · sugar 122%
- Pumpkin Bread Recipe · cubesnjuliennes.comspice 3.8% · pumpkin 131% · sugar 117%
Group D · 18 recipes · 12% of all
More spice, less pumpkin and less sugar
Spice 2.4% or more, pumpkin 131% or less and sugar 104% or less of the flour weight.
| At 250 g flour | Group D | All |
|---|---|---|
| Flour | 250 g | 250 g |
| Pumpkin | 280 g | 315 g |
| Sugar | 200 gabout 1 cup | 285 g |
| Fat | 130 gabout 1/2 cup | 125 g |
| Egg | 115 gabout 2 1/2 large eggs | 115 g |
| Spice | 7 g | 6 g |
| Leavening | 8 g | 9 g |
| Salt | 4 g | 3.5 g |
Bake350°F (175°C) for about 53 minutes, the medians of the 18 recipes here that state a temperature and the 18 that state a time.
Nearest the middle of group D
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Cranberry Pecan Pumpkin Bread · 12tomatoes.comspice 2.4% · pumpkin 113% · sugar 75%
- Pumpkin Bread · twopeasandtheirpod.comspice 2.7% · pumpkin 112% · sugar 98%
- Cranberry Pecan Pumpkin Bread · momontimeout.comspice 2.8% · pumpkin 131% · sugar 75%
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread · momontimeout.comspice 2.8% · pumpkin 131% · sugar 75%
- Pumpkin Bread with Streusel Topping · yellowblissroad.comspice 3.2% · pumpkin 131% · sugar 92%
Group E · 17 recipes · 11% of all
Less spice, more pumpkin and more sugar
Spice under 2.4%, pumpkin 112% or more and sugar over 127% of the flour weight.
| At 250 g flour | Group E | All |
|---|---|---|
| Flour | 250 g | 250 g |
| Pumpkin | 380 g | 315 g |
| Sugar | 365 gabout 1 3/4 cups | 285 g |
| Fat | 125 gabout 1/2 cup | 125 g |
| Egg | 120 gabout 2 1/2 large eggs | 115 g |
| Spice | 4.5 g | 6 g |
| Leavening | 8 g | 9 g |
| Salt | 4 g | 3.5 g |
Bake350°F (175°C) for about 60 minutes, the medians of the 16 recipes here that state a temperature and the 16 that state a time.
Nearest the middle of group E
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Easy and Delicious Pumpkin Bread · caribbeangreenliving.comspice 2.1% · pumpkin 131% · sugar 160%
- Cake potimarron moelleux - pumpkin bread · mesinspirationsculinaires.comspice 2.1% · pumpkin 160% · sugar 160%
- Best Ever Pumpkin Bread · iambaker.netspice 1.8% · pumpkin 194% · sugar 147%
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread · iambaker.netspice 1.8% · pumpkin 194% · sugar 147%
- Maple Pecan Pumpkin Bread · iambaker.netspice 1.8% · pumpkin 194% · sugar 147%
Group F · 18 recipes · 12% of all
Less spice, more pumpkin and less sugar
Spice under 2.4%, pumpkin 112% or more and sugar 127% or less of the flour weight.
| At 250 g flour | Group F | All |
|---|---|---|
| Flour | 250 g | 250 g |
| Pumpkin | 325 g | 315 g |
| Sugar | 265 gabout 1 1/3 cups | 285 g |
| Fat | 130 gabout 1/2 cup | 125 g |
| Egg | 130 gabout 2 1/2 large eggs | 115 g |
| Spice | 5 g | 6 g |
| Leavening | 8 g | 9 g |
| Salt | 3.5 g | 3.5 g |
Bake350°F (175°C) for about 55 minutes, the medians of the 17 recipes here that state a temperature and the 17 that state a time.
Nearest the middle of group F
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Plumcake alla zucca - pumpkin bread · ricettedalmondo.itspice 2% · pumpkin 120% · sugar 107%
- Maple Glazed Pumpkin Bread · theviewfromgreatisland.comspice 2.1% · pumpkin 131% · sugar 107%
- Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread · foodnetwork.comspice 2.2% · pumpkin 117% · sugar 100%
- Pumpkin Bread · thepioneerwoman.comspice 1.4% · pumpkin 129% · sugar 127%
- Bacon Pumpkin Bread · recipesfromapantry.comspice 2% · pumpkin 154% · sugar 85%
Group G · 17 recipes · 11% of all
Less spice, less pumpkin and more sugar
Spice under 2.4%, pumpkin under 112% and sugar over 98% of the flour weight.
| At 250 g flour | Group G | All |
|---|---|---|
| Flour | 250 g | 250 g |
| Pumpkin | 245 g | 315 g |
| Sugar | 330 gabout 1 2/3 cups | 285 g |
| Fat | 125 gabout 1/2 cup | 125 g |
| Egg | 115 gabout 2 1/2 large eggs | 115 g |
| Spice | 4 g | 6 g |
| Leavening | 7 g | 9 g |
| Salt | 5 g | 3.5 g |
Bake350°F (175°C) for about 60 minutes, the medians of the 14 recipes here that state a temperature and the 16 that state a time.
Nearest the middle of group G
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Nutella Swirl Pumpkin Bread · kirbiecravings.comspice 1.6% · pumpkin 97% · sugar 137%
- Pumpkin Bread · kirbiecravings.comspice 1.6% · pumpkin 97% · sugar 137%
- Pumpkin Bread with Nutella Swirl · kirbiecravings.comspice 1.6% · pumpkin 97% · sugar 137%
- Brother-in-Law’s Grandma’s Perfect Pumpkin Bread · jamiegeller.comspice 1.2% · pumpkin 108% · sugar 137%
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread · kirbiecravings.comspice 1.6% · pumpkin 97% · sugar 114%
Group H · 17 recipes · 11% of all
Less spice, less pumpkin and less sugar
Spice under 2.4%, pumpkin under 112% and sugar 98% or less of the flour weight.
| At 250 g flour | Group H | All |
|---|---|---|
| Flour | 250 g | 250 g |
| Pumpkin | 245 g | 315 g |
| Sugar | 170 gabout 3/4 cup | 285 g |
| Fat | 95 gabout 1/2 cup | 125 g |
| Egg | 100 gabout 2 large eggs | 115 g |
| Spice | 4 g | 6 g |
| Leavening | 7 g | 9 g |
| Salt | 3 g | 3.5 g |
Bake350°F (175°C) for about 49 minutes, the medians of the 16 recipes here that state a temperature and the 16 that state a time.
Nearest the middle of group H
Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.
- Easy Pumpkin Bread Recipe · crazyforcrust.comspice 2.1% · pumpkin 98% · sugar 61%
- Peanut Butter Cup Pumpkin Bread · crazyforcrust.comspice 2.1% · pumpkin 98% · sugar 61%
- Pumpkin Bread with Maple Glaze Recipe · crazyforcrust.comspice 2.1% · pumpkin 98% · sugar 61%
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread · bettycrocker.comspice 0.8% · pumpkin 85% · sugar 82%
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread · foodnetwork.comspice 1.2% · pumpkin 88% · sugar 72%
How the questions are chosen
Each ingredient is ranked by how much recipes disagree on it: the width of the middle half of recipes (25th to 75th percentile) divided by the median, less 4% for each place it sits down this lab's list of ingredients, so the ones that define the dish win near ties. For pumpkin bread the order is spice (0.57), pumpkin (0.45), sugar (0.42), leavening (0.38), fat (0.29) and egg (0.29), and the first 3 are asked. Salt is never asked about: recipes differ on it mostly by brand and taste.
Every split is at the median of the recipes in front of it, rounded to the percentage shown. Recipes exactly at the median go to whichever side leaves the two halves more even. No answer may keep fewer than 5 recipes; a group that could not be split further says so.
The recipes listed under each group are the 5 nearest its median on every ingredient at once, each scaled by how much recipes vary on it. Every recipe page links to the original for the method.