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Sourdough Pumpkin Apple Bread

Sliced sourdough pumpkin apple bread with a golden crust and swirls of pumpkin and apple chunks, surrounded by pumpkins and apples.
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This Sourdough Pumpkin Apple Bread is the ultimate fall loaf—moist, tangy, and spiced to perfection with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Made with real pumpkin, tart-sweet apples, and an active sourdough starter, it’s a healthier, naturally leavened bread ideal for breakfast, snacks, or cozy autumn treats.

Ingredients

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  • 100g active sourdough starter
  • 400g all-purpose or bread flour
  • 200g pumpkin purée
  • 150g chopped apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith)
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup or coconut sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground clove
  • 50g chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • Water as needed (approx. 200–250g depending on flour)

Instructions

  1. Feed your sourdough starter 4–6 hours before mixing until active and bubbly.
  2. Mix flour, pumpkin purée, and water. Let it autolyse for 30 minutes.
  3. Add sourdough starter and mix until incorporated.
  4. Stir in maple syrup, spices, eggs, and salt.
  5. Over 4 hours, perform 3–4 stretch-and-folds. Add apples and optional pecans after the second fold.
  6. Let the dough rest covered at room temperature for 2–4 hours until slightly puffed.
  7. Pre-shape dough, let rest for 20 minutes, then do final shaping and place in a floured proofing basket.
  8. Cover and refrigerate overnight (8–12 hours) for cold proof.
  9. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C) with Dutch oven inside.
  10. Transfer dough to parchment, score, and bake: 20 minutes covered, then 20–25 minutes uncovered.
  11. Cool on wire rack at least 1 hour before slicing.

Notes

  • Use firm apples to prevent sogginess.
  • Cold fermentation enhances flavor and makes scoring easier.
  • Let bread cool fully before slicing to avoid gummy texture.
  • Store at room temp for 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Test doneness with internal temp of 200–205°F.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipeeasily.com/sourdough-pumpkin-apple-bread/