With over 300 5-star reviews, this persimmon bread recipe has become a long-time reader favorite. The texture is super moist and fluffy, it’s the perfect combination of spices, and not too sweet.

Here’s what people are saying about the best persimmon bread they’ve ever had:

  • “This is the most delicious bread I’ve ever made!”
  • “Super moist, not too sweet, perfect combination of spices!”
  • “The texture of this bread is amazing.”
  • “Fluffy, moist, and super duper delicious!”
  • “…the smell was absolutely heavenly while it baked.”
Baked quickbread loaf decorated with sliced persimmon next to a striped kitchen towel.

Want the complete scoop on baking with this fruit? Read my thorough persimmon guide.

🌟Why You’ll Love This Persimmon Bread Recipe

  • Easy for beginners – I have tested this recipe thoroughly to make sure it’s accessible for beginner bakers and provided easy-to-follow instructions for every step.
  • Over 250 5-star reviews – Ratings don’t like, and this persimmon bread recipe is has won the hearts of many readers.
  • Persimmon flavor is the star of the show – Persimmons are my favorite winter fruit. They’ve got all the fall and winter spice flavors, and overripe persimmons are irresistibly sweet and delicious.
  • Moist texture – This bread has the texture of the best banana bread, moist and scrumptious. You’ll never have a dry, cakey bread with this recipe!
  • Great way to use ripe persimmons – Persimmon lovers can always eat these lovely fruits as they are, but I think they really shine in baked goods like this bread, these persimmon cookies, or these persimmon muffins.

🧾Ingredients for Persimmon Bread

  • Persimmon pulp – I prefer to use Hachiya persimmons because they have a better yield, but Fuyu and American also both work. Your persimmons must be really ripe and mushy (think a super squishy and soft texture) for this recipe to work best. To ripen persimmons, leave them on the counter at room temp. Then pulse them into a puree.
  • All-purpose flour – Some readers have tried using gluten-free flour substitutes with success, but I haven’t tested it myself.
  • Unsalted butter – It’s better to use unsalted butter in baking so that you can control the salt content yourself.
  • White sugar – Use white granulated or white cane sugar.
  • Spice mix – I use a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to spice this bread with fall flavors. You can also substitute with pumpkin spice.
  • Vanilla extract – Try to use a high-quality vanilla extract for this recipe.
  • Eggs – These act as the binder for the mix.
  • Salt – I usually use kosher or sea salt in this recipe.
  • Baking soda – This is the raising agent that helps the persimmon bread rise. Baking soda uses the acidity from the fruit to activate.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

🧡 Pro Tip 🧡

Use very ripe and mushy persimmons for your puree. The riper they are, the sweeter they taste. Also, the mushiness of the ripe persimmon makes it so the persimmon can be evenly distributed throughout the batter. Discard as much of the persimmon skins as possible when baking for the smoothest texture.

👩‍🍳How to Make Persimmon Bread

Before starting, you will need to have three bowls ready: 1 large, 1 medium, and 1 small. You will also need your pureed Hachiya persimmon pulp.

Orange pulp being processed in a food processor next to a window.
  • Preheat your oven to 350F. Lightly grease the surface of a 9x5x3 loaf pan with butter or a non-stick baking spray. I like to use a non-stick loaf pan for easy results.
  • Peel your overripe persimmon and pulse them in a food processor.
Sifting flour into a glass bowl.
  • In your medium bowl, sift the dry ingredients together (flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves). If you don’t want to sift them, you can also whisk them together to break down any clumps.
  • In your large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until well incorporated and they have a light, fluffy texture.
  • In the small bowl, beat the eggs and vanilla extract with a whisk.
  • With a hand mixer or standing mixer, slowly pour the egg mixture into the creamed butter and sugar and mix them together well.
Scraping the sides of a metal bowl with a rubber spatula.
  • Next, add in the persimmon puree. Mix until just incorporated.
Pouring flour into a metal stand mixer bowl.
  • Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients one-third at a time. Mix until just incorporated. It will be a very wet batter.
Pouring batter into a loaf pan from a stand mixer bowl.
  • Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan. I sometimes like to top the batter with very thinly sliced Fuyu persimmons for decoration.
Quickbread being released from a metal loaf pan.
  • Cook the bread for 1 hour until a toothpick inserted into the bread center just barely comes out clean. Take care not to overbake it as the texture will not be as moist.

🧡 Pro Tip 🧡

To make sure your bread retains its moist texture, let the bread cool completely in a sealed environment. Use a plastic bag or large resealable container. Then, leave the bread overnight and enjoy it in the morning.

📋Persimmon FAQs

When are persimmons in season?

Fuyu persimmons come into season around September and can linger into December. Hachiya persimmons tend to arrive later, usually from October through late December.

Are persimmons good for baking?

Persimmons are wonderful for baking. When they ripen to become mushy and sweet, they’re so easy to incorporate into different batters from persimmon cookies to persimmon pancakes.

What’s the difference between Fuyu and Hachiya persimmons?

Fuyu persimmons are small, squat, and can be enjoyed like apples – skin and all. When ripe, they’re sweet, slightly tangy, and perfect for snacking on.
Hachiya persimmons are longer and heart-shaped with a bright orange color. They’re incredibly astringent when not fully ripe. You must wait until they’re soft and ripe to eat them, or else they’ll taste sharp.

Can persimmons be eaten raw?

Absolutely! Persimmons can be enjoyed raw, and are extra delicious when ripe. Simply peel the skin (if it’s an astringent Fuyu) and slice it into wedges. You can also use them in salads, baked desserts, or even as a topping for yogurt.

Do persimmons taste like apples?

They are not that similar. Apples are sweet and often have a tart edge, whereas persimmons are sweet with more of a honeyed flavor with warm spice, Unripe Hachiya persimmons are super astringent and sour, so wait until they ripen for a sweet taste.

A loaf of quickbread on a white countertop.

If you like this recipe, you’ll love these other creative ways to use persimmon in savory recipes and sweets!

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Persimmon Bread

4.96 from 315 votes
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With over 250 5-star reviews, this persimmon bread recipe has become a long-time reader favorite. The texture is super moist and fluffy, it's the perfect combination of spices, and not too sweet.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Calories: 300kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 2 eggs room temperature
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature, plus more for greasing your loaf pan
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup persimmon puree Hachiya preferred

Instructions

  • Preheat to 350F. Lightly grease your 9x5x3 loaf pan.
  • In a medium bowl sift the dry ingredients. Flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
  • In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar.
  • In a small bowl, beat the eggs with the vanilla extract.
  • With a hand mixer or standing mixer slowly pour the egg mixture into the creamed butter and sugar. Mix well.
  • Add the persimmon. Remove from mixer.
  • With a spoon or rubber spatula, add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients 1/3 at a time. Mix with a rubber spatula until just incorporated.
  • Pour into loaf pan*. Optional to top with thinly sliced persimmons.**
  • Cook 48-55 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Cool completely. I let it cool overnight and have it for breakfast!

Video

Notes

* Usually when baking in a glass pan, the temperature should be 25 degrees lower, and will take up to 10 minutes longer – this recipe has not been tested in a glass pan, but in a non-stick pan (see photos).
**If you plan to decorate the top of the loaf with persimmon, know that it keeps the center from cooking evenly with the sides of the loaf. The center of the loaf will need longer to cook than the sides. For best results, do not top the loaf with persimmon. If you do, slice them VERY thinly.
Additional Notes
  • Use very ripe and mushy persimmons. The riper, the sweeter. Also, the mushiness of the ripe persimmon makes it so the persimmon can be evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  • Note that the batter is very wet, so don’t be concerned with this texture.
  • For zero sticking when baking, I use a non-stick loaf pan.
  • Fuyu or Hichaya? Although I prefer to eat slightly under-ripe Fuyu persimmons for snacks on the go, the over-ripe hachiya works best in the batter of this recipe. I use sliced Fuyu persimmons for the top of the bread.
  • Discard as much of the persimmon skins as possible when baking for the smoothest texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 399mg | Potassium: 127mg | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 415IU | Vitamin C: 19.6mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1.9mg
Did you try this recipe?I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a Review to let us know how it came out, if you have a successful substitution or variation, or anything else.

340 Comments

    1. I’ve never made the loaf with gluten-free APF and don’t have experience baking with it. After some light research, it looks like it should be OK. But since I haven’t tested it myself, I’m afraid I can’t provide experience. Good luck! And if you give it a try, let us know how it goes!

  1. 5 stars
    Very good recipe. I freeze extra persimmon pulp and then I can use it throughout the year. By the way, it is hachiya, not hichaya 😉

  2. 5 stars
    From south-west of France : recipe absolutly perfect. I used very ripe hachiya type, skin removed. I only diminued the amount of sugar, and added wallnuts for the contrast soft & crunchy.
    Thanks for this nice recipe !

  3. 5 stars
    I made this and added desiccated coconut, cacao nibs and pumpkin seeds. So delicious and my 8 year old loved it too!

  4. 5 stars
    Thank you Candice. This bread is very delicious. I made this the a couple of night ago and it was a major hit with everyone who had it. Vert moist and tasty well. I reduced the sugar by about 1/8 of a cup and I’m thinking to add pecan nuts next time, any thoughts on that?

    1. Thank you so much for sharing, Masoud. That makes me so happy to hear! I’ve made it with both nuts and chocolate chips, and both ways it turns out great. It even turns out great with a combination of the two. Enjoy!

  5. 5 stars
    Thank you for this recipe, Candice. This is the second Christmas Eve in a row that I’ve made your persimmon bread to rave reviews! Absolutely no modifications or guesswork necessary; that, and the deliciousness, made it 5~star worthy. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas & Seasons Greetings!

  6. 5 stars
    Made this today. I messed up and didn’t mix it all correctly, so mine turned out a bit flat. But it’s currently cooking and smells divine.

  7. First time cooking with Persimmons. Used Fuyu and the bread was so moist and delicious. Had to bake for longer than suggested time. Wondering if you’ve ever used almond flour as I’m also looking for a gluten free option. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe.

  8. 5 stars
    Originally I was going to make Hoshigaki (Japanese way of drying persimmons) from the Hachiya persimmons I bought from the Farmer’s Market; but I waited too long and they turned too soft. So, I decided to make your bread recipe. They turned out moist and delicious! Second and third time making this bread, I had to use Fuyu this time, since my folks have a tree in their yard. It was less moist, but still delicious as ever.

    I agree, the soft Hachiya gives more pulp than the Fuyu. I wonder too if the flour I used with the Hachiya made an extra difference on the moistness. I used an all-purpose Korean wheat flour.

    Waiting for the Fuyu persimmons I have left to get soft and make your Choc Chip Persimmon Muffins next. Mmmm… Thanks, Candice!

    1. I am so glad to hear that you loved it, Aurora… and that it worked for you with both types of persimmon. I’ve never used that kind of flour before, so it’s possible it made a difference. In theory, a whole wheat flour would yield a less moist bread. And thank you so much for sharing… it helps us all out 🙂
      Can’t wait to hear what you think about the muffins!

    1. If you have a powerful blender like a vitamix you do not need to peel the persimmon. I threw them in there with the skins on and the pulp is completely smooth.

        1. I always use the skins in my blender with no problem. I’ve used a different recipe for years but will consider using this one next time. Also I tip I find is I freeze whole firm persimmons in a bag and when hey thaw the texture is perfect for blending, same as letting them get soft on the counter😊

4.96 from 315 votes (198 ratings without comment)

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