Step 1

Preheat the oven to Line two standard-sized loaf pans with a sheet of parchment paper to easily remove the bread after it bakes.

Step 2

In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, sugars, oil, eggs, milk and vanilla until smooth.  In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt and spices.

Step 3

Add the dry ingredients to the wet and whisk just to combine until mostly free of lumps; batter will be thick.  Divide the batter between the pans.

Step 4

In a large bowl, combine the flour, spices, salt, sugar, and pecans (if using).  Drizzle with the melted butter, and toss with a fork until very moist and crumbly.  If the streusel is too wet, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time.  Sprinkle the crumbs evenly over the batter, and lightly press into the batter.

Step 5

Bake for about 55-65 minutes, until a cake tester comes out with moist crumbs clinging to it.  Cool in the pans for 15 minutes, then lift the bread out by the paper, set on a wire rack, and cool completely before cutting.