Creative Fall Bakes

Enhance Your Bread with the textures & flavors of Fall

Here are some quick tips to help you capture the best flavors and textures of the season:

1. Incorporate Seasonal Ingredients: Adding a bit of roasted pumpkin puree or a blend of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice can turn an everyday loaf into a cozy fall staple.

2. Experiment with Whole Grains: Whole grain flours like spelt, rye, or einkorn add a rustic feel and depth of flavor. Use about 10-20% of your total flour as whole grain to keep the loaf light yet hearty.

3. Achieving the Perfect Crust: Use a Dutch oven or another covered baking pot to create a steamy environment for your loaf, which helps develop a crisp, golden crust. Preheat the pot for at least 30 minutes before baking.

4. Creating Decorative Shapes: For seasonal shapes like a pumpkin-shaped loaf, use food-safe twine to tie the dough into sections. Lightly flour the twine to prevent sticking and use a sharp pair of scissors to cut it away post-bake for a clean finish.

Fall Baking Project: Rustic Pumpkin-Shaped Bread

You may have seen those adorable pumpkin-shaped loaves gracing the internet lately, but this one comes with a twist! My Rustic Sourdough Pumpkin-Shaped Bread recipe adds a hearty touch of rye flour and cornmeal to enhance its texture and depth of flavor. The subtle tang of the sourdough pairs beautifully with these grains, creating a loaf that feels hearty yet tender—a perfect balance for your fall table. If you haven’t seen it already, the recipe is up on my blog here.

Here’s the equipment you’ll need:

• Dutch oven or another baking pot with a lid

• 2 round banneton proofing baskets *

• Bench knife or dough scraper *

• Bread lame or serrated knife for scoring *

• Wooden spoon or Danish dough whisk *

• Stand mixer (optional)

• Mixing bowls

• Food-safe twine for tying the pumpkin shape

• Scissors to cut the twine

• Parchment paper for the bottom of the baking pot *

*For this project, I used the tools from the Round Home Artisan Bread Making Kit, which includes round banneton proofing baskets that help shape and support the dough. The round baskets are ideal for giving your bread a consistent, rustic appearance and achieving a beautiful final result. The bread lame allows for artistic scoring to enhance your loaf’s beauty. Don’t forget the food-safe twine to create the distinct pumpkin sections!

Whether you’re baking for your family or preparing gifts, this recipe is a must-try for the holiday season. Click here for the full recipe ➡️

Why We Love Pumpkin in Bread

Pumpkin is synonymous with fall, and for good reason! Not only does it add a mild, slightly sweet flavor, but it also brings moisture and a beautiful golden hue to your dough. Pumpkins are rich in beta-carotene, making them a nutritious addition to your bread.

In our Rustic Sourdough Pumpkin-Shaped Bread, the pumpkin puree helps create a tender crumb, while the pumpkin shape adds that wow! factor, making it perfect for festive gatherings or gifts.

When incorporating pumpkin into your bread recipes, make sure to use pure pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugar and spices. This will give you more control over the flavor profile of your loaf.

Add Character with Rye & Cornmeal

In this recipe, we’ve incorporated two grains that bring unique characteristics to the bread: rye and cornmeal.

Rye Flour: Rye adds a slightly earthy and tangy flavor to the final dough, giving it a depth that pairs wonderfully with the sourdough’s mild acidity. Its lower gluten content also contributes to a slightly denser, moist crumb.

Cornmeal: In the overnight Pâte fermentée, cornmeal adds a hint of sweetness and a pleasant, slightly gritty texture that complements the softness of the bread’s interior. Cornmeal is a great addition when you want to achieve a rustic appeal and a subtle complexity in the flavor profile.

How to Make Pumpkin Pie Spice

Since this Rustic Sourdough Pumpkin-Shaped Bread calls for pumpkin pie spice, here’s a simple blend you can make at home. This blend is versatile and aromatic and will provide your fall bakes with that perfect touch of warmth and nostalgia.

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe:

• 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon

• 2 teaspoons ground ginger

• 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg

• 1½ teaspoons ground allspice

• 1½ teaspoons ground cloves

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine all the spices and mix thoroughly until well blended.

2. Store the spice blend in an airtight container and use it to flavor your bread, pies, cookies, and other fall treats.

Tip: If you like a more intense flavor, consider toasting the whole spices lightly before grinding them yourself for an even fresher taste.

Creative Ways to Use Your Bread

Once you’ve baked your beautiful pumpkin-shaped loaf, it’s time to enjoy it in creative and delicious ways. Here are some ideas:

1. Fall Gathering Centerpiece: Place your loaf on a rustic wooden board surrounded by figs, grapes, and pomegranates. It’s a show-stopping addition to any fall table.

2. Soup Companion: Pair it with creamy roasted pumpkin soup or butternut squash soup for a cozy, satisfying meal.

3. Autumn Salad Croutons: Cube leftover bread, toss with olive oil and herbs, and bake until golden for crunchy salad toppers.

4. Seasonal Sandwich: Build a fall-inspired sandwich with roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, and sharp cheddar.

5. Sweet Breakfast Treat: Turn thick slices into French toast with a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg, then top with caramelized apples or maple syrup.

Product Spotlight: Home Artisan Bread Making Kit 

The Home Artisan Bread Making Kit is a versatile collection of tools that simplifies the bread-baking process for home bakers. It includes two round banneton proofing baskets for shaping dough, a Danish dough whisk for efficient mixing, and a bread lame for scoring beautiful patterns.

The round bannetons are ideal for creating a consistent rise and structured shape in round loaves, like the pumpkin-shaped bread featured in our fall baking project. It also includes parchment paper which you’ll need to line your baking pot when you bake the pumpkin-shaped loaf.

The bread-baking kit brings together practical tools to support your baking adventures at home.

Share Your Fall Creations

We invite you to bake a Pumpkin-Shaped Loaf, share photos of it on Instagram, and tag @bread_experience.