This pumpkin chocolate swirl bread is rich, spiced, and full of decadent chocolate layers. My twist adds espresso to the chocolate batter for a latte-inspired swirl that makes this loaf extra special. Topped with smooth ganache, it's a fall quick bread recipe that looks as good as it tastes.

Here's the deal: I've always been obsessed with swirls in loaves. They look so pretty when you cut in, like you worked way harder than you did. And pumpkin + chocolate + espresso? That combo is top tier. Honestly, this bread feels like banana bread's fancier cousin that only comes around during pumpkin season. That's basically all my favorite things in one bread pan. This pumpkin chocolate swirl bread is part pumpkin loaf, part cake, and completely perfect for pumpkin season.

Why You'll Love This Pumpkin Chocolate Swirl Bread

Pumpkin chocolate swirl bread checks all the boxes for the perfect fall bake. It's cozy, chocolatey, and honestly way easier than it looks.

That swirl effect! Every slice has a marbled look that feels bakery-level without the extra work.
Pumpkin spice + chocolate = best combo. The warm pumpkin spice flavors and decadent chocolate batter are a match made in heaven.
Moist and tender. Thanks to pumpkin puree, brown sugar, and oil, the crumb stays soft for days.
Quick bread. No yeast, no rising time-just mix, layer, and bake.
Coffeehouse. The little espresso boost makes this taste like a cozy latte in loaf form.
Perfect for sharing. Bring it to a fall party, bake it for friends, or slice it up for an afternoon snack with coffee.

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to bake this swirled loaf. For the full recipe of ingredients, check out the recipe card below!

Espresso powder - my favorite is from king Arthur, but any will work. I had some from walmart that I loved.
Dark cocoa powder - I love the double chocolate cocoa powder from king Arthur!!!
Hot water - used to bloom the cocoa for the chocolate batter.
Large eggs - at room temperature for the best rise.
Granulated sugar + brown sugar - add sweetness and moisture.
Vegetable oil - keeps the bread soft and tender.
Pumpkin puree - make sure it's not pumpkin pie filling.
Pure vanilla extract - my favorite is from Nielsen-Massey
All-purpose flour - spooned and leveled for accuracy.
Baking soda + baking powder - give the loaf lift.
Cinnamon + pumpkin pie spice - classic spiced pumpkin notes
Dark chocolate - creates a glossy topping.
Heavy cream - smooths everything into a pourable glaze.
Flaky sea salt - optional, but balances sweetness. My favorite is Maldon

Step-by-Step Instructions

This recipe comes together easily with a few bowls and some super super easy layering.

Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 9x5 bread pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, whisk espresso powder, cocoa powder, and hot water until smooth. Set aside to thicken.
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until pale. Whisk in vegetable oil, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. Gently fold into the wet mixture until combined. Batter should be thick but pourable.
Transfer just under half the pumpkin batter to a medium bowl and fold in the espresso-cocoa paste to create the chocolate batter.
Alternate adding the pumpkin mixture and the chocolate batter into the prepared pan. For the best marbled effect, use smaller pours and repeat often-the natural swirl effect will happen as it bakes.
Bake for 55-60 minutes, until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs. Start checking at 50 minutes.
Cool loaf in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before topping.
For ganache: Heat heavy cream in a small bowl until steaming, then pour over chopped dark chocolate. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir until smooth. Spread over cooled loaf and let set for 10 minutes.
Slice and enjoy your homemade pumpkin chocolate swirl bread.

Tips & Tricks - Pumpkin Chocolate Swirl Bread

These simple tips will help you get perfect pumpkin chocolate swirl bread every time.

Don't stress the swirl. The swirl effect happens naturally when you layer the pumpkin batter and chocolate batter. The more layers you do, the prettier it looks!
Room temp eggs are key. Cold eggs can make the batter seize up-room temperature eggs help everything mix smoothly.
Use parchment paper. Lining your bread pan with parchment paper makes it so much easier to lift the loaf out in one piece.
Check early. Every oven is different! Start checking your pumpkin chocolate swirl bread at 50 minutes. A toothpick with a few moist crumbs means you're good to go.
Don't overmix. Once you add the dry ingredients, fold gently until just combined. Overmixing can make the loaf dense.
Ganache glow-up. If you want extra shine, stir a little butter or corn syrup into the melted chocolate.
Store it right. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or keep in an airtight container so your bread stays moist and soft.

Recommended Tools - pumpkin chocolate swirl bread

You don't need anything fancy to make this bread, just a few basics you probably already have:

9x5-inch loaf pan - the perfect size for this recipe.
Mixing bowls - one large, one medium, one small for the batters and dry ingredients.
Whisk or spatula - a whisk for the wet ingredients, spatula for folding everything together.
Wire rack - helps the loaf cool evenly so it doesn't get soggy on the bottom.
Toothpick or skewer - the easiest way to check if your bread is baked through.
Parchment paper - makes lifting the loaf out of the pan so much easier.

FAQs

Can I make this without espresso? Yep! The espresso just boosts the chocolate flavor and gives coffeehouse vibes. If you don't have any, you can leave it out and you'll still get a gorgeous bread!
What's the secret to getting a pretty swirl effect? It's all in the layering! Alternate smaller scoops of pumpkin batter and chocolate batter-don't overthink it. The oven does the marbling for you.
Do I need a butter knife to swirl the batters together? Nope! I actually skip that step. A knife can muddy the layers. Just keep alternating batters and you'll get those natural, pretty swirls.
How do I know when my bread is done baking? Stick a toothpick in the center-if it comes out with a few moist crumbs, it's ready. If there's wet batter, give it a little more time.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Totally. It stays super soft when wrapped well in plastic wrap or kept in an airtight container. It's even better the next day when the flavors settle in.

Storing & Freezing Instructions

Pumpkin chocolate swirl bread stores beautifully, making it a great make-ahead recipe. Wrap the cooled loaf in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for 2-3 days. For longer storage, keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it tightly wrapped for up to 2 months.

Pumpkin chocolate swirl bread is the perfect fall loaf! It's spiced, and swirled with decadent chocolate. Add this to your list of favorite fall recipes, and don't forget to share or pin it for later. If you bake it, tag me so I can see it!

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