Tasty Whole Grain Pumpkin Bread

Tasty Whole Grain Pumpkin Bread

This healthy pumpkin bread is a great substitution for the fall classic. Full of flavor and incredibly moist, it’s fabulous any time of day.

Traditional pumpkin bread can be packed with added sugar and refined flour. Switching out the white flour for whole wheat and using dates for sweetness can make a big difference. This bread has a mild sweetness that can be cranked up with 1-2 more tablespoons of maple syrup.

Pumpkin Nutrition

Watching the warm weather slip away into fall is made better by one thing – pumpkin bread. Pumpkins are best known for their use as a Halloween decoration or sweetened in a pie, but did you know their bright orange color is due to their high beta-carotene content? Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant that plays an important role in maintaining our eye and skin health, something everyone can appreciate! (1, 2)  Pumpkins and their seeds are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids which play a role in fighting off inflammation. (3)

healthy pumpkin bread loaf with slices on a cutting board

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Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup unsweetened Greek yogurt
  • cup vegetable oil
  • ½ cup date puree
  • 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup unsweetened canned pumpkin puree
  • ¼ cup milk of choice or water (I used
  • teaspoons pumpkin spice
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • cups whole-wheat flour

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • In a microwave-safe bowl, heat 8-10 dates with 1 tablespoon of water for 30 seconds.
  • Carefully remove the bowl and mash with a fork until paste begins to form.
  • Add additional water as needed and microwave for another 30 seconds. Repeat as necessary until ½ cup date puree is formed.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, date puree, oil, and Greek yogurt.
  • Add the milk, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, vanilla, baking soda and salt, and use whisk to blend.
  • Stir in 1-2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup.
  • Mix in the whole wheat flour, just until combined.
  • Pour bread batter into greased 9x5 loaf pan and cook for 55-60 minutes.

Notes

Feel free to spice up your bread with more pumpkin spice than the recipe calls for. Adding spice is a great way to turn up the flavor while not adding additional sugar. Add in your favorite nut or dried fruit for extra fun!
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Bio: Kelly is a dietetic intern from Orange County, CA. She studied nutritional science as an undergrad at CSULA and would like to eventually specialize in GI disorders. She enjoys taking her dog to the beach and trying new cuisines.

  1. https://extension.illinois.edu/pumpkins/nutrition.cfm
  2. https://www.nutri-facts.org/content/dam/nutrifacts/pdf/Nutrients-pdf/Vitamin_A.pdf
  3. umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/OMEGA3-fatty-acids

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