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My parents in Idaho and my in-laws in California both have persimmon trees (even though according to every tree expert, persimmon trees don’t grow in Idaho, but Mom babied her two trees and this year there are probably 100 beautiful persimmons on their branches).
We love persimmons but up until this persimmon bread recipe, we were just eating them fresh. Have you tried them yet? They kind of taste like sweet pumpkins/apples – super delicious! It’s no wonder many Russian and Ukrainian people are smitten with them. The are also delicious in our Persimmon Pomegranate Salad.
One of my readers, Janna A., generously shared this recipe with me last year but we didn’t have any persimmons at that point so I held on to the recipe until persimmons were back in season. I love this recipe as much as Vadim’s very popular banana bread.
The verdict: this one’s a keeper (in a make again and again sort of way)! It’s soft and moist, and every slice is studded with walnuts and raisins.Thank you Janna for this treasure of a recipe!
Ingredients for Persimmon Bread:
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 Tbsp real vanilla extract
3 cups fuyu persimmon pureed (a little over 1 1/2 lbs) (DO NOT USE Hachiya persimmons)
10 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
2 tsp baking soda, sifted to make there aren’t lumps
1/4 tsp (generous pinch) of salt
2 tsp cinnamon
3 cups all-purpose flour *measured correctly
1 1/2 cups walnut pieces, toasted
1 cup raisins
*To measure flour, scoop into the measuring cup with a spoon & scrape off the top
*Watch our easy video tutorial on how to measure correctly
How to Make Persimmon Bread:
Prep: Preheat oven to 350˚F. Butter two bread loaf pans. Toast walnut pieces on a dry skillet until aromatic and lightly golden then cool to room temp.
1. Remove tops of persimmon with a butter knife (I’ve broken the tip off a good knife doing this before, so I only use a butter knife now). Cut into quarters and puree (I use this blendtec to do it super fast). I love pureeing stuff in my blender because there aren’t as many parts to wash as with a food processor and it’s super fast resulting in a perfect puree).
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 eggs, 1 cup sugar and 1 Tbsp vanilla. Mix in 3 cups persimmon puree and the melted butter (p.s. I did this in my mixer but you can totally whisk by hand).
3. Add 2 tsp of sifted baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt and 2 tsp cinnamon and whisk to combine. Whisk in 3 cups flour until blended.
4. Fold in 1 1/2 cups walnuts and 1 cup raisins until evenly dispersed and divide the batter between buttered loaf pans. Bake for 45 – 50 min or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 min then turn out onto wire rack to cool to room temp.
So moist, soft and yummy. It’s a perfect breakfast or anytime bread! If you can’t make it right now, make sure to pin this recipe for later. You’ll thank me later ;),
Persimmon Bread Recipe

Ingredients
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp real vanilla extract
- 3 cups fuyu persimmon pureed, a little over 1 1/2 lbs*
- 10 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp generous pinch of salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, *see note below on measuring
- 1 1/2 cups walnut pieces, toasted
- 1 cup raisins
Instructions
Prep: Preheat oven to 350˚F. Butter two bread loaf pans. Toast walnut pieces on a dry skillet until aromatic and lightly golden.
- Remove tops of persimmon with a butterknife (I've broken the tip off a good knife doing this before, so I only use a butter knife now). Cut into quarters and puree in a blender.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 eggs, 1 cup sugar and 1 Tbsp vanilla. Mix in persimmon puree and the melted butter.
- Add 2 tsp of sifted baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt and 2 tsp cinnamon and whisk to combine. Add Whisk in 3 cups flour until blended.
- Fold in 1 1/2 cups walnuts and 1 cup raisins until evenly dispersed and divide the batter between prepared loaf pans. Bake for 45 - 50 min or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 min then turn out onto wire rack to cool to room temp.
Notes
*DO NOT USE Hachiya persimmons - the texture is completely different from fuyu, and it won't bake up properly.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
This recipe is a keeper. I use the hachiya persimmon with this recipe and it turns out just fine. You just have to use less persimmon but it does work. Thanks for the recipe.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing your comments with us.
I’m getting ready to make this ahs only have the type of persimmon you mentioned. Can you guess on how much less I have to use.? Thank you
No more making persimmon bricks. this is the only recipe that i use for making persimmon bread. I have the other persimmon but i make it work and it turns out awesome like Natasha’s smile AWESOME.
Love it! Thank you for much for sharing your good experience with us.
Just out of the oven. Very moist and has a rich nutty flavour. Not sure how to upload picture
I’m so glad you enjoyed that, Sylvia! The best place to upload a photo would be via social media and please tag #natashaskitchen so we can find it!
Hi! I have tons of the big soft ones, not Fuyu – is that an alternative to this recipe that makes it work with those?
thanks!!
Hi Claudia, we have had readers report bad results using different kinds of persimmon – that they make the bread dense.
Claudia, I have a great recipe for you for those Hitachi persimmons.
Just made this today and it came out amazing, I used 2 9×5 loaf pans, it came out perfect!! Thanks for the wonderful recipe
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Jess!
Gee, I hadn’t read the reviews. I just made it, and tried to follow the recipe. I had to substitute maple syrup for the vanilla because I was out. I also but 2 1/4 cup of flour and 3/4 cup of coconut flour because I ran out. Anyway way, it turned out great. I had no problems. I was so happy my persimmons were used. By the way, I used 9 persimmons.
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Heather!
Is it okay to use wheat flour instead of white flour or half of each?
Hi Josie, I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
I will NOT be keeping this recipe!! I have been baking for many years……reading the comments prior to trying the recipe I used smaller pans…did NOT help bread was very dark..& was not baked/cooked through……I baked the loaves for over an hour!! They were only 4X6 size pans! The end!
Hi Sylvia, I’m sorry to hear that. Did your bread rise? You might check that your leavening is still active/fresh.
You say that this recipe makes two loaves. Please tell me the size of the loaf pans you use. Thank you.
Hi Bev, we used Wilton 9×5 Loaf pans here.
Hi Natasha. I am very nicely surprised with your persimmon bread. For the first time I baked and just tried. Is really delicious in taste and my husband will be happy. I am from Europe and I bake mostly my own, home checked recipes but this time I had very ripped persimmons so I decided to try. No regret at all. Thank you Natasha for your idea. Regards Dani.
Hi Dani, I’m so glad you enjoyed that! Thank you for that great review!
Hi. I am a licensed baker who sells quick breads and other pastries at Farmers Markets and local events. I have lots of ripe persimmons right now. I’ve been experimenting with several bread recipes and the problems is they all sink/cave when cooling. I put the batter into medium sized aluminum disposable loaf pans and cooked approx 30 mins. Same result as with other recipes. Generally most of my quick bread recipes require 3 1/2 to 4 cups flour and only two cups puree. Also, puree dissolves into the pulp with a ratio of 1 tsp baking soda to 1 c pulp. Any way to get them to not cave in. I don’t have this problem with pumpkin puree or banana breads. Thank you and I love your recipes and tips.
Hi Ann, I haven’t had the experience of sinking with this recipe. Have you tried this recipe yet?
Yes, and I’m hoping to use it for an event next weekend. It occurs with whatever persimmon bread recipe. Mystifies me as I follow recipes to the letter.
I used Hachiya persimmons, pureed, and my little loaves sunk. Tastes good, but look sad.
Hi Jackie, fuyu persimmons work best for this recipe. I’m glad you enjoyed the flavor!
Hi, This is the second time I’m making this recipe and the flavors are great, but I also have had the same problem with the sinking loaf and very dense cake. I also was using hachiya persimmons.
Hi Christine, I would suggest using the Fuyu persimmons per the recipe. It is very like due to the type of persimmons.
Whenever I make cake or bread, there is a layer of oil which seperates out on baking. Have tried warm oil and proper mixing during batter preparation. buy every time i see the layer. Can you suggest to resolve this problem
Hi Mou, could it be due to under-mixing or using a different type of oil? Also, make sure the ingredients are at room temperature as specified in the recipe which will ensure even mixing and blending of ingredients. I haven’t had that experience before but I will do my best to troubleshoot.
Hi, yum recipe! I baked this recently, substituting 3 cups of the pureed Fuyu persimmon with 2 cups of pureed Hachiya persimmon (skin removed) and 1 cup pureed banana. I also used 2 tsp of baking powder plus 1 tsp bicarb soda, as I figured this wetter mixture could need some extra help to rise. It needed longer in the oven but tasted fantastic. The texture was moist and dense, similar to a fruit cake.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
I made the persimmon bread today and double checked the amounts of the ingredients as it seemed like it was going to be kind of wet. I only had soft Hachiya persimmons and perhaps that was a problem because the bread did not turn out. It got very dark brown, was definitely cooked inside but was more like a “pudding,” super moist inside and not bready. I’m a bit disappointed but it does taste good. Since it seems more like a pudding I am going to try it with some clotted cream.
Same! I used Hachiyas and can confirm the same results – very dark brown, very moist, not bready, definitely cooked inside, a bit too sweet, didn’t rise much at all, but still tastes good. I don’t think I’ll make it again unless I have Fuyus, but hopefully anyone else thinking of using Hachiyas might find this helpful!
Thanks for the recipe! A tip for you: Use a melon baller to take off the persimmon tops. It is super easy and much safer for knives and fingers alike😊
Thank you for that awesome tip, Susan!
Tried this recipe 6 times! with it’s not coming up. I tried to experiment with temperature as well. Bread is always soft (non-backed inside) and fine on the ages.
Upset :(. But yeah all your other recipes are great
Hi Natalie, that is frustrating for sure! The key in this recipe is to use the correct proportions – if you use less persimmon puree or less butter, the batter might be too thick and will have trouble on the rise – or if you measure four by pushing your measuring cup into the bin, you will get up to 25% more flour than if you spoon it into a measuring cup and scrape/level off the top. Lastly, make sure you are using baking soda that is fresh (it should bubble like crazy when you add a splash of vinegar to 1/4 tsp of baking soda if it is still working properly). I hope that helps!
Hi Natasha,
I made a half recipe last night. We intended to bring the one loaf with us today to T-dinner. But it smelled so good. . .. We decided we HAD to sample it before serving it to family. And then there were seconds. So I made a second loaf today. Wonderful recipe. I used currants last night because it was what we had. I think I might like the smaller size. But thanks, and Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m so glad you loved it!! It really is a very special loaf to bring to Thanksgiving. Thank you for the wonderful review!
Dear Natasha
My taste is so close to your style. So I test & love most of your recipes.
This one also was grate in taste but really so much more dense and moist in texture, compare to your picture. Infact in dosen’t rise up in the oven at all.
I did exactly the same recipe but use half of baking soda and substitude another half with 2 tsp baking powder ..
Do you think it can be the reason?
Hi Sara, I’m so glad you enjoy our recipes! I haven’t tried that substitution so I suspect if all else was the same it may be due to the substitution.
I don’t like raisins, but I love golden raisins ! I substitute those in recipes that call for raisins. They don’t taste as strong as regular raisins and aren’t gooey when you bake them.
Thank you for sharing that with us!
Hello,
The persimmons, after you remove the top, you just quarter them and blend them. No need to peel them?
Rita
Hi Rita! No peeling required 😃.