pumpkin bread with honey & coconut sugar
a naturally sweet take on the classic pumpkin bread with honey and coconut sugar!
Pumpkin bread is one of my absolute favorite baked goods - so moist and spongey with all the flavors of fall. Not to mention it's one of those baked goods that you tend to only make once a year which just makes it that much more special when you do make it. The best part about my recipe for pumpkin bread is that it is completely naturally sweetened with honey and coconut sugar. This swap doesn't change the texture or flavor of the bread from the classic version you might be familiar with but instead just makes it a more wholesome alternative that you can enjoy without getting that icky sugar high feeling that comes from eating processed sugars - and trust me, as someone who used to work in a bakery I am very familiar with that feeling!
The honey I used in this recipe is a wildflower honey that comes from local farmers and I highly recommend you find a good source of honey close to you as well since the honey in your local grocery store might not actually be honey. (if you're curious to go down this rabbit hole, here's a start: "honey laundering: the largest food fraud in history").
As a refresher or for those who might be unfamiliar, coconut sugar is the dehydrated and boiled sap of the coconut palm flower. Because coconut sugar goes through minimal processing, it retains many of its inherent antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals - especially in comparison to the standard granulated white or brown sugars, which are heavily processed. For those of you who may not be a big fan of coconut, I just want to note that the coconut sugar does not have a noticeable coconut flavor. If you are looking to try coconut sugar, I recommend either Wholesome Sweetener's Coconut Sugar or, if you have a Thrive membership, I am a big fan of their Organic Brown Coconut Sugar.
This pumpkin bread recipe will not disappoint if you are looking for fall flavors plus a healthy alternative to processed sugars. And if you are looking for other similar recipes, check out my sweet potato bread with sucanat and sourdough or my maple pumpkin butter muffins with honeyed pecans. Enjoy!
pumpkin bread with honey and coconut sugar
makes 1 9x5 loaf
ingredients
240 grams all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cardamom
½ teaspoon salt
1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
200 grams coconut sugar
100 ml neutral oil (like a light-tasting olive oil)
2 eggs
40 grams honey
110 ml milk
directions
Preheat your oven to 350 F. Grease a 9x5 loaf pan.
In a small bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: 240 grams all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon cardamom, and ½ teaspoon salt.
In a large bowl, stir together the 15 ounces of pumpkin puree, 200 grams coconut sugar, and 100 ml oil. Next, stir in the 2 eggs, 40 grams honey, and 110 ml milk. Finally, stir in the dry ingredients until fully combined.
Pour the batter into the pan and bake for about 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Honey laundering! The scoundrels!!