Oh, fall baking! Is there anything better than the smell of pumpkin spice wafting through the house? It just screams cozy, doesn’t it? And let’s be real, who can resist a slice of warm pumpkin bread? But sometimes, those classic recipes can be a bit… much, you know? That’s why I’m SO excited to share my recipe for Healthy Pumpkin Bread! It’s got all that comforting flavor you crave, but without the guilt!
For years, I’ve been tweaking and perfecting this recipe. I wanted something that I could feel good about eating (and feeding to my family!), without sacrificing that amazing pumpkin bread taste. And trust me, this is it! Get ready for a guilt-free indulgence that’ll become a fall baking staple!
Why You’ll Love This Healthy Pumpkin Bread
Quick and Easy Baking
Seriously, this is one of the easiest breads you’ll ever bake! It’s mostly mixing and then waiting for the oven to do its thing. I promise, even if you’re a beginner, you’ve GOT this!
Guilt-Free Indulgence
Okay, so it’s not *salad*, but it’s definitely a lighter take on classic pumpkin bread. We’ve cut back on the sugar and, hey, pumpkin is practically a vegetable, right? 😉
Moist and Flavorful Healthy Pumpkin Bread
Don’t let the “healthy” part fool you – this bread is seriously delicious! It’s super moist, packed with pumpkin spice, and honestly? You won’t even miss all that extra sugar and oil. My family DEVOURS it!
Ingredients for Your Healthy Pumpkin Bread
Alright, let’s gather our ingredients! Nothing too crazy here, I promise. You’ll need:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – I haven’t tried it with gluten-free, but I bet it would work!
- 1 tsp baking soda – make sure it’s fresh!
- 1/2 tsp salt – just regular ol’ table salt is fine.
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon – because what’s pumpkin bread without cinnamon?!
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg – adds a little warmth.
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves – don’t skip this! It makes a difference.
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar – yeah, we still need some sweetness!
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling!) – big difference, trust me.
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil – canola or even melted coconut oil works great.
- 2 large eggs – I like to let them sit out for a bit to get to room temperature. Makes mixing easier!
Got everything? Great! Let’s get baking this Healthy Pumpkin Bread!
How to Make Healthy Pumpkin Bread: Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Dry Ingredients for Healthy Pumpkin Bread
Okay, first things first! Grab a big bowl – the biggest one you have! Add the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Now, whisk, whisk, WHISK! You really wanna make sure those spices are evenly distributed. No one wants a bite of just cloves, trust me!
Combining the Wet Ingredients for Healthy Pumpkin Bread
In a separate bowl (medium-sized is perfect), add the sugar, pumpkin puree, oil, and eggs. Now, mix it all together! You can use a whisk or even a fork. Just make sure everything’s nicely combined and there aren’t any big clumps of sugar hanging out.
Baking Your Healthy Pumpkin Bread to Perfection
Alright, the oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) by now! Now, pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. This is important: don’t overmix! Stir until just combined. A few streaks of flour are totally fine! Pour the batter into your greased and floured loaf pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes. To test if it’s done, stick a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs), you’re good to go!
Cooling and Enjoying Your Healthy Pumpkin Bread
Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. I know, it’s hard to resist, but trust me, it’s worth the wait! Cooling it completely really lets the flavors develop. Then, slice and ENJOY your amazing Healthy Pumpkin Bread!
Tips for the Best Healthy Pumpkin Bread
Want to take your Healthy Pumpkin Bread to the *next level*? Here are a few of my tried-and-true tips for pumpkin bread perfection!
Ensuring a Moist Healthy Pumpkin Bread
Nobody wants dry bread! Make sure you measure your flour correctly (spoon it into the measuring cup instead of scooping!). Also, don’t overbake it! And don’t skimp on the oil – it’s essential for moisture!
Preventing a Sunken Healthy Pumpkin Bread
A sunken middle is a bummer, right? Make sure your baking soda is fresh! Overmixing can also cause sinking, so be gentle. And double-check your oven temperature – too low, and you’ll have a sad, sunken loaf!
Variations for Your Healthy Pumpkin Bread
Okay, so you’ve made the basic Healthy Pumpkin Bread – awesome! But what if you want to jazz things up a bit? Here are some of my favorite ways to customize this recipe. Get creative!
Adding Chocolate Chips to Your Healthy Pumpkin Bread
Chocolate chips are *always* a good idea, right? I love using dark chocolate chips for a little extra richness. Milk chocolate is great too, or even white chocolate for something different!
Spicing Up Your Healthy Pumpkin Bread
Want even *more* fall flavor? Try adding a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom to the batter. It’ll give your Healthy Pumpkin Bread a warm, cozy kick!
Topping Your Healthy Pumpkin Bread
Okay, this is where things get *really* fun! A simple streusel topping (butter, flour, sugar, and cinnamon) is always a winner. Or, you could whip up a quick glaze with powdered sugar and milk. YUM!
FAQ About Healthy Pumpkin Bread
Can I use canned pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree for this Healthy Pumpkin Bread?
Okay, this is a BIG one! No, no, NO! Don’t use pumpkin pie filling! It’s already got spices and sugar added, and it’ll totally mess up the recipe. You want 100% pure pumpkin puree. Look for it in the baking aisle – it’s usually right next to the pumpkin pie filling, so just double-check the label!
How do I store this Healthy Pumpkin Bread?
The best way to keep your Healthy Pumpkin Bread fresh is to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or put it in an airtight container. It’ll stay moist and delicious at room temperature for about 3-4 days. If you’re anything like my family, though, it’ll be gone way before then!
Can I freeze this Healthy Pumpkin Bread?
Absolutely! This Healthy Pumpkin Bread freezes beautifully! Just wrap it really well in plastic wrap (I like to double-wrap it!) and then put it in a freezer bag. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, just thaw it overnight in the fridge or at room temperature. You can even warm it up slightly in the oven – so good!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Healthy Pumpkin Bread
Okay, so you’re probably wondering about the nutrition, right? Here’s a rough estimate, but keep in mind it can vary depending on the exact ingredients you use! A slice of this Healthy Pumpkin Bread is about 250 calories, 12g of fat, 3g of protein, and 35g of carbs. Not bad for a tasty treat, huh?
Enjoy Your Delicious Healthy Pumpkin Bread!
Okay, friends, that’s it! I am SO excited for you to try this Healthy Pumpkin Bread! Seriously, I think you’re gonna love it as much as we do. And hey, if you make it, pretty please leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out! Or even better, snap a pic and share it on Instagram – tag me so I can see your amazing creations! Happy baking!
Print
Bake a Guilt-Free, Delicious Healthy Pumpkin Bread in 1 Hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy this moist and flavorful healthy pumpkin bread.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In a separate bowl, combine sugar, pumpkin puree, oil, and eggs.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cool in pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- You can add chocolate chips or nuts to the batter.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
