October is gone. But the season for pumpkin continues. Well maybe not for Jack-o-lanterns but pumpkin pies or pumpkin rolls or even pumpkin bread. I made this easy pumpkin bread recipe and took a loaf to my daughter and her co-workers. And they loved it! Made me feel good. I love when people are appreciative of my cooking or baking. So I wanted to share this easy pumpkin bread recipe with you.
Be honest. Did you know that pumpkin is a fruit? The saying “you learn something new every day” is true because I didn’t until I started researching pumpkin for this post. Why is it a fruit? Because pumpkin has seeds. But nutritionally it is more similar to vegetables.
Is Pumpkin Healthy?
You bet it is. Pumpkin is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. And has very low-calorie content. High in fiber and low in carbohydrates.
Pumpkin has a high glycemic index but a low glycemic load. This means that you are unlikely to have a significant effect on your blood sugar but you need to exercise portion control.
But honestly, do you know anyone who just eats pumpkin? I don’t. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin roll, pumpkin bread, yes but not pumpkin alone.
Fresh Pumpkin Versus Canned Pumpkin
Fresh pumpkin is always better, but when fresh is not available, canned pumpkin will do as well. Canned pumpkin contains 100% pumpkin. You may see it labeled as either pumpkin puree or solid pack pumpkin. They are actually the same thing.
Canned pumpkin also retains many of its health benefits in the canning process.
Pumpkin is interchangeable with other winter squash such as acorn or butternut. Sweet potatoes also make a good substitute as well. I have had “pumpkin” pie made with butternut squash and you honestly cannot tell the difference.
But you really need to be careful when buying canned pumpkin, that you are not picking up pumpkin pie mix instead. There is a big difference between the two. They are near each other in the grocery store and it is easy to get the wrong one.
If you are making a pie, then no problem. But if you are planning on making pumpkin bread and you have picked up the pumpkin pie mix by mistake, you may want to go back to the store and exchange it. The reason: Your pumpkin bread will end up being too sweet. Why? The Pumpkin pie mix is flavored with sugar and spices.
Don’t feel like going back to the store? Then go ahead and make that pumpkin pie instead. 🙂 It does make a great pie.
Easy Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 3 1/2 cups flour
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 15 oz canned pumpkin
- 2/3 cup water
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp allspice
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp salt (scant)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- Mix sugar, oil and eggs together
- Add pumpkin and mix
- Add dry ingedients and finally water, stirring just until mixed
- Pour batter into two greased and floured 9"x5" loaf pans
- Bake 1 hour or until toothpick insertd into center comes out clean.
Final Thoughts
I hope you learned something and that you try this easy pumpkin bread recipe. Pumpkin itself is healthy it is just all the ingredients we add to it that are not. But personally, I don’t want to eat pumpkin by itself. Do You?
Depending on the recipe you are following make sure that you pick up the right pumpkin product. Pumpkin puree vs pumpkin pie mix.
Please leave me a comment below with your thoughts. And if you try this recipe I would really love to know about it. And As Always
Have A Wonderful Day
