How To Make A Pumpkin Shaped Sourdough Bread Loaf

Last Updated on August 16, 2025 by Jamie Saechao

Learn how to make a pumpkin shaped sourdough bread loaf to light up Halloween and adorn your Thanksgiving table! 

This festive fall sourdough bread score + shaping is the perfect way to add charm and character to your holidays.

This easy bread shaping tutorial will show you exactly how to make your own adorable, edible pumpkin sourdough bread centerpiece.  

I’ve included my best tips and tricks for coaxing your bread into a pumpkin shape, as well as a step by step tutorial on how to create this festive decorative bread. This scoring design is perfect for a round-shaped loaf. It is a deliciously festive way to celebrate the fall season!

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Learn how to create a spider-web bread score, snowflake or Christmas tree bread score here. And be inspired with these simple sourdough scores for new bakers.

Supplies

You’ll need a few supplies to create this adorable pumpkin loaf:

• Cinnamon sticks: cut one cinnamon stick in half and stick it in the top of the pumpkin for a stem
• Butcher’s twine: This will be used to create sections on the pumpkin loaf
• Sharp razor blade: to score a unique design down the sides of the pumpkin
• Parchment paper
• Banneton basket *optional – I usually do not use one!
• Vegetable oil or olive oil 
• Dutch oven
• A round loaf of sourdough bread, proofed and shaped into a round boule

Tips

• You want this bread to have a good oven spring, so make sure to ferment your dough correctly. Sourdough bread is fully fermented when it is almost double in size, has a few bubbles on the top of the dough, and has a smooth, silky texture. 
• For best results, use baking-friendly twine or string. Soak it in oil before using to ensure it comes off easily. 
• The strings need to be lightly snug, but not tight.
• Practice makes perfect!  Experiment shaping the bread dough + adding the string a few times before making this pumpkin shaped loaf for Thanksgiving.  
• Put the dough in the freezer for 20-30 minutes prior to shaping it and scoring it.  Get more sourdough scoring tips here.

What Kind Of Bread To Use

I recommend using an easy, low hydration overnight sourdough bread recipe, or a simple same day recipe.  Here are a few of my sourdough recipes that I’ve used: 

• Simple dutch oven recipe
• Easy overnight sourdough bread
• Whole wheat flour sourdough
• Same day recipe

Which ever recipe you use, aim for a proper fermentation time for this dough, so the bread is easy to handle but still fully developed. 

How To Make A Pumpkin Shaped Bread Loaf

Step 1: Prepare your sourdough bread per recipe, then begin this process after bulk fermentation, when you shape and score your dough.

Step 2:  Preheat your oven for baking at this step. Prepare twine.  Cut FOUR pieces of string about 28 inches in length.  Soak them in olive oil for a few minutes, then remove the excess oil with a paper towel. 

Step 3:  Bundle the twine together and tie a knot in the middle.  This knot will go underneath the sourdough boule. You will have 8 sections of string to work with now.

Step 4: Cut a square piece of parchment paper and set it on the counter.  Put the knot in the center of the parchment paper, and space each piece of twine evenly apart. Set the shaped boule bottom side down on the string and dust it with rice flour or regular bread flour. 

If using a banneton basket…. To use a banneton basket, set the string over the dough while in the basket, arrange the string in sections, then flip it over onto the top of the parchment paper. Proceed with instructions!

Step 5: Connect each string up and over the top of the dough, tying it in a loose knot the middle.  You want the string to be snug but not tight.  Repeat for each string, tying each knot in the same spot.  Cut off the excess string. 

Step 6: Score the dough on each pumpkin section, in between the string. You can be creative! Create a small wheat stalk or more elaborate scores up the dough. Make quick, confident strokes on the surface of the dough. 

Step 7:  Place in a Dutch oven and bake in your preheated oven. Follow the baking instructions in your recipe. 

Step 8: Remove from the Dutch oven after baking, let cool for a few minutes, then cut the string.  Cut a cinnamon stick in half and press it into the center of the bread. 

Variations

• Add some pumpkin spice to your dough to add subtle pumpkin flavor
• Experiment with your scoring patterns to get different effects
• If you don’t have cinnamon sticks, cut a date in half and use it for the stem Or use a real squash stem!

I hope you enjoyed this pumpkin-shaped loaf!  Let me know in the comments if you have any questions.