Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Every autumn, the scent of cinnamon and cloves fills my kitchen, and this Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread Recipe is always the first thing I bake. I remember the first time I swirled a silky cream cheese layer through pumpkin batter—it was a rainy afternoon, my girls were playing with fallen leaves outside, and the warm, spiced scent drew them in like a hug. There’s something magical about the way chocolate chips melt into pumpkin bread, making each slice a cozy little moment you want to hold onto.

This version takes it up a notch with a tangy cream cheese ribbon and a muffin option that’s perfect for school lunches or a neighborly porch drop-off. Whether you bake it as a loaf for brunch or as muffins for snacking, this recipe brings warmth, flavor, and just a touch of indulgence.

Gather around the table — something delicious is waiting!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This chocolate chip pumpkin bread recipe is rich, moist, and filled with flavor, making it an instant fall favorite. Each bite brings together classic pumpkin spice and mini chocolate chips in the most comforting way.

You’ll love the surprise swirl of cream cheese—it adds a sweet, tangy layer that balances the warm spices beautifully. It’s like cheesecake and pumpkin bread had a delicious little baby!

This recipe is surprisingly easy to pull off, even for beginners. You’ll mix, swirl, and bake—no fancy tools or skills required. And if you’re short on time, the muffins bake in under 20 minutes!

Whether you’re prepping for a weekend brunch, a bake sale, or simply craving something cozy, this bread fits the bill. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll make once and then crave every chilly weekend that follows.

Print

Ingredient Overview

This chocolate chip pumpkin bread recipe is all about warm, comforting flavors wrapped in a moist, tender crumb. Here’s a quick peek at the star ingredients and what they bring to the table.

• Pumpkin Purée: Brings moisture, flavor, and that beautiful golden hue. Make sure it’s pure pumpkin, not pie filling.

• Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the batter.

• Vegetable Oil & Applesauce: The oil keeps things tender, while the applesauce adds subtle sweetness and a soft texture.

• Milk & Vanilla Extract: These round out the flavors and ensure the batter is smooth.

• Sugar: Just the right amount to balance the tangy cream cheese filling and the earthy pumpkin.

• All-Purpose Flour: Gives structure without making the bread dense.

• Pumpkin Spice Trio (Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves + Ginger): Your home will smell like fall heaven as this bakes.

• Mini Chocolate Chips: Tiny pockets of melted chocolate in every bite—yes, please!

• Cream Cheese, Sugar, Egg, Milk: The creamy swirl is smooth, tangy, and perfect. Room temperature ingredients blend best.

Styling Tip: Sprinkle a few extra mini chocolate chips on top before baking for that bakery-style finish.

Step-by-step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease your loaf pans or muffin tins—or do a mix of both. This chocolate chip pumpkin bread recipe yields one full loaf and about 12 muffins, so you’ve got options!

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin purée, eggs, vegetable oil, applesauce, milk, vanilla extract, and sugar. Stir gently until fully combined and smooth. The rich pumpkin base is what makes this chocolate chip pumpkin bread recipe so moist and irresistible.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a second bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. This mix brings all that cozy fall flavor and keeps the texture light.

Step 4: Blend It All Together

Pour the dry mixture into the wet ingredients and stir gently—just until the batter comes together. Overmixing can make the bread tough, so a few lumps are totally fine.

Step 5: Fold in the Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips, saving a few for the top. Tip: Coating your chips in a bit of flour first helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom.

Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Filling

In a clean bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with sugar, an egg, and a splash of milk. You want a silky, spreadable texture for easy swirling.

Step 7: Layer in the Loaf Pan

For the loaf version of this chocolate chip pumpkin bread recipe, add a layer of pumpkin batter to the bottom of your pan, followed by a layer of cream cheese filling. Repeat, finishing with pumpkin batter and a final sprinkle of chocolate chips.

Step 8: Layer the Muffins

To make muffins, fill each cup about 1/3 with batter, add a dollop of cream cheese, then top with more batter. This keeps that surprise swirl hidden in the middle!

Step 9: Bake Until Set

Bake your loaf for 60–80 minutes and your muffins for 14–18 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a knife—it should come out mostly clean, with a few moist crumbs.

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Let everything cool before slicing so the cream cheese sets properly. Trust me, the wait is worth it—every bite of this chocolate chip pumpkin bread recipe is gooey, rich, and fall-ready.

Pro Tips

For best texture, use room temperature cream cheese and eggs. Cold cream cheese won’t blend smoothly, and you’ll want that dreamy swirl for your chocolate chip pumpkin bread recipe.

Don’t skip the applesauce—it cuts down the oil while keeping the bread moist. You can even substitute unsweetened Greek yogurt if you’re in a pinch.

When folding in your mini chocolate chips, coat them in a teaspoon of flour first. It helps keep them from sinking and ensures you get melty chocolate bits in every bite.

Grease your pans generously or line them with parchment paper. This makes lifting the loaf or muffins out easy—and keeps that pretty cream cheese swirl intact.

Want your bread to look bakery-beautiful? Sprinkle extra mini chips on top before baking. They melt just enough to give your chocolate chip pumpkin bread recipe a golden, rustic finish—like the ones you’ll see on our Pumpkin Donuts Baked post.

Variations

Swap the mini chocolate chips for white chocolate or cinnamon chips for a twist that still complements the pumpkin and spice flavors beautifully.

If you’re looking to make this gluten-free, use a good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. This chocolate chip pumpkin bread recipe is very forgiving and still bakes up fluffy and flavorful.

Want even more fall flavor? Add 1/2 teaspoon maple extract to the batter—it adds warmth and richness that pairs beautifully with pumpkin.

Instead of cream cheese filling, try a brown sugar streusel topping for a crunchy contrast. It turns this cozy loaf into more of a coffee cake moment.

For a fun fall gathering or bake sale, you can turn this into mini loaves or muffin-style bites. The idea is similar to what we shared in our Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins—compact, swirled, and crowd-pleasing!

Frequently Asked Questions

Serving Suggestions

This chocolate chip pumpkin bread recipe shines brightest when served slightly warm with a hot drink in hand. Pair slices with a spiced chai latte or classic black coffee on a crisp fall morning for the coziest start to your day. It also plays beautifully on a dessert tray at Thanksgiving, alongside our rich Pumpkin Crunch Cake or other autumn bakes. If you’re doing a fall brunch or weekend breakfast spread, serve it with whipped cream cheese, cinnamon butter, or even a drizzle of maple glaze. It makes a delightful addition to a fall picnic or bake sale, where everyone’s eyes light up at the first hint of cinnamon and chocolate.

Conclusion

This chocolate chip pumpkin bread recipe has that special something—familiar, comforting, yet just indulgent enough to feel like a treat. It’s one of those recipes you can rely on again and again, whether you’re baking for family, gifting to a neighbor, or just carving out a quiet afternoon moment for yourself. There’s joy in the swirl, warmth in every crumb, and a little celebration tucked into every bite.

From my kitchen to yours — happy cooking, friends! You’ll find more recipe inspiration over in our Desserts section, just waiting to bring sweetness to your season.

If you try this chocolate chip pumpkin bread recipe, I’d love to hear how it turns out! Leave a comment below and let me know your favorite twist. You can also tag your creations and join our sweet-loving crew over on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook — we adore seeing what’s baking in your kitchen!