Trader Joe’s Sliced Pumpkin Sourdough Bread is actually pretty darn pleasant. The bread is nice and soft, with a texture that isn’t too dense or heavy. It has a subtle pumpkin flavor and just enough of that familiar pumpkin spice thing happening to let you know it’s a seasonal product without beating you over the head with cinnamon and nutmeg.
If you're looking for an indulgent pumpkin breakfast or sweet snack bread, we recommend Trader Joe's Pumpkin Brioche Twist. There’s also a faint sweetness here, but this is definitely not dessert bread. You’re not going to bite into a slice and think, “Well, I guess dinner is canceled because I just ate pie.” And that makes it surprisingly versatile.
We really liked it as a sandwich bread. One of our favorite combinations was sliced turkey deli meat, mozzarella cheese, spinach, and mayo. The mild sweetness of the pumpkin sourdough works nicely with the savory turkey and cheese, while the spinach adds a little freshness and the mayo brings everything together. Basically, it turns an ordinary turkey sandwich into a turkey sandwich that has spent the afternoon at the pumpkin patch.
We also tried it as French toast, and yes, it works. The bread soaks up the egg mixture nicely and brings a subtle fall flavor to the finished product. But honestly, when it comes to French toast, I think Sonia and I both prefer Trader Joe’s Apple Cinnamon Sourdough. That one just feels more specifically designed for the job.
Still, this Pumpkin Sourdough is a very solid seasonal bread. It’s soft, flavorful, mildly sweet, reasonably versatile and, most importantly, it doesn’t go completely pumpkin spice bonkers.
Not everything with pumpkin in it needs to taste like a Yankee Candle. Thankfully, this doesn’t. Would buy again. Product of Canada. Five bucks for the pre-sliced loaf. Sonia and I both give Trader Joe’s Sliced Pumpkin Sourdough Bread eight out of ten stars.
Bottom line: 8 out of 10.
