A Café Reader Review: Better Than Starbucks Pumpkin Bread

Hi, Reader!

Fair warning: I’m about to take you down a little rabbit hole. But I promise it’s a good one....and it ends with pumpkin bread, so stay with me 😋

About six weeks ago, we noticed a vine growing in between our air conditioning units, which sit right next to a patio. It's leaves looked familiar, almost like squash, but both it's origin and identity were total mysteries to me.

Weeks went by. The vine kept producing flowers, but nothing else happened. Was it a weed after all? That's when 'Chatty' (aka ChatGPT) and I did a deep dive and what I learned amazed me...

Did you know squash plants (and their cousins) produce male flowers first?

Then, when the plant is ready, it puts out a female flower that has to be fertilized by pollen from one of those earlier male blooms. And, sure enough, as I looked around the plant a bit closer, I found this very different-looking flower that had just begun to grow.

Perhaps I didn't pay close enough attention in middle school science class, but wow. This beautifully intricate process blew me away. And....I still didn’t know what the vine was.

But then, it hit me. Two years ago, our kids carved pumpkins on that very patio. Apparently one little seed found its way into the gravel, survived two winters, and decided this was its moment 🙌

I've told anyone who'll listen since- which just happens to be you today, dear reader! Isn't God's design amazing?!

Here's an updated pic of our first Volunteer Pumpkin, taken this morning 😍

We've decided we need to name this baby...any suggestions?!

All that to say (and yes, hard pivot here): the pumpkins have spoken, and it’s officially time...fall baking season is upon us!

Pumpkin Bread That’s BETTER Than Starbucks

Our Better Than Starbucks Pumpkin Bread is the perfect place to start: it's incredibly moist, warmly spiced, and SO ridiculously easy to make.

We hear from readers about this one again and again, and Jen’s story below is a perfect example. She just let the bread speak for itself....

Jen says....
Hi! I baked this pumpkin bread last year and brought it to work. Without me saying a word, someone actually said "This is better than Starbucks!" I said "Funny you should say that..."

This really is the best pumpkin bread!

Better Than Starbucks Pumpkin Bread

And, they just keep coming...

From : Debby

Good morning from Georgia! I have baked many a pumpkin bread in my time and this one wins the prize! It has a lovely aroma and a light “density”. It’s refreshing with a cinnamon whipped cream and we’ve enjoyed it as French toast. Unexpected guests led to cubing and serving with cups of warm chocolate, warm caramel, a bowl of whip cream and fondue forks!! Loved loved loved!

From : James

LOVE this recipe! I made it gluten-free by substituting regular flour for my favorite gluten-free flour blend, and it came out beautifully, I will be using this recipe from now on!

This is exactly the kind of feedback that keeps us going here at The Café.

So thank YOU 🤍

A few more fall favorites to add to your baking list:

While you’re in pumpkin mode, here are a few others worth bookmarking for the season:

With love,

Cait & The Café Team 🤍🤍

P.S. And stay tuned! I’ll report back if we manage to get a pumpkin out of our mystery vine 🎃

P.S.S. And one more thing before I go…If you love the idea of gifting pumpkin bread this fall, check out our Made to Give: Pumpkin digital guide below!

If you enjoy giving gifts from your kitchen, you're going to LOVE our Pumpkin Made to Give Collection! It’s filled with delicious fall recipes, pretty printable labels, packaging ideas and even a handy At-a-Glance Chart with recipe yields, how far ahead each gift can be made, storage information and more. In other words, we’ve taken care of all the little details so you can turn something homemade into a beautiful gift that makes someone feel extra special. We’ve done the planning... you get to enjoy the giving! 🧡