These Are the Best Store-Bought Pumpkin Breads, Ranked

This fall has been super busy, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to sacrifice one of my favorite fall rituals: eating lots and lots of pumpkin bread. When I don’t have time to bake pumpkin bread myself, I’ll pick up a store-bought version. And since fall treats are so fleeting before winter flavors take over, I thought I should make it my mission to find the best store-bought pumpkin loaf out there. What a tasty mission it was!

Because I compared both whole loaves from grocery stores and single slices at coffee shops, I did the math for the price per slice. That way, I would know if the single slices I grab with a cup of coffee are worth it, or if I would be better off sticking with the whole loaf that I could enjoy all week.

5. Dunkin’ Pumpkin Loaf

Price per slice: $3.89

I was surprised that the chain had a pumpkin loaf offering in addition to its seasonal doughnuts and coffees. And, honestly, it seems that the chain should stick to what it does best. This loaf was pleasant enough, and I enjoyed the plain icing on top, but there was barely any hint of fall spices or pumpkin whatsoever in the swirled loaf. I’ll stick to pumpkin doughnuts for my seasonal Dunkin’ treats from here on out.

4. Whole Foods Pumpkin Loaf

Price per slice: $1.12

I had high hopes for the pumpkin loaf from Whole Foods, especially when I saw that the “ginger tea loaf” comes with a pumpkin seed crumble top. It looked appetizing, but when I tried it, I was underwhelmed. The dense crumb and thick crumble topping was nice, but it needed more flavor and oomph to really scream “pumpkin loaf.”

3. Starbucks Pumpkin Loaf

Price per slice: $4.25

The Starbucks pumpkin bread has been a favorite of mine for a long time. Ever since I was in high school, eating a slice of Starbucks pumpkin bread always signaled that fall was here—even more so than the first pumpkin spice latte!

The crumb of this pumpkin bread can’t be beat, and I love that the chain uses puffed pumpkin seeds as a topping instead of something sugary or sweet. The loaf is spiced fairly well, and though there are two others I’d rank higher, this one is worth the splurge for on-the-go snacking.

2. Aldi Pumpkin Loaf

Price per slice: $0.53

At first glance, I didn’t have high hopes for the Aldi pumpkin loaf. It comes pre-sliced, and as a seasoned baker, I know that can sometimes mean that the baked goods I’m about to eat are dried out and not so fresh. Aldi’s pumpkin loaf surprised me, though! It held its flavor, texture and shape well, and the loaf was well-spiced and flavored. I was impressed enough to rank the Aldi pumpkin bread as my number two choice even without a garnish or icing!

1. Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Loaf

Price per slice: $0.62

My favorite pumpkin loaf cake of all was the one from Trader Joe’s, which comes with a “delightful spiced sugar topping,” according to the label. It really was delightful, and, most importantly for this seasonal bake, well-spiced! I could really taste the cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and ginger that are listed in the ingredients. I’m consistently impressed by the Trader Joe’s baked goods, and this pumpkin bread was no exception.