Delicious and Healthy Pumpkin Oat Bread Recipe for Fall Baking
Fall is the perfect time to indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of pumpkin and oats. This pumpkin oat bread recipe combines the best of both worlds, off……
Fall is the perfect time to indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of pumpkin and oats. This pumpkin oat bread recipe combines the best of both worlds, offering a nutritious and delicious treat that’s perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert. Below, you'll find a detailed description of this recipe, including ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and tips for making the best pumpkin oat bread.
### Ingredients
To make this delectable pumpkin oat bread recipe, you'll need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup of pumpkin puree
- 1 cup of rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar
- 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup of vegetable oil or melted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup of milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves
- Optional: 1/2 cup of chopped nuts or chocolate chips for added texture and flavor
### Instructions
1. **Preheat the Oven**: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. **Prepare the Dry Ingredients**: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Stir well to ensure that the spices are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
3. **Mix the Wet Ingredients**: In another bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil (or melted butter), eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
4. **Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients**: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a denser bread.
5. **Add Optional Mix-Ins**: If you’re using nuts or chocolate chips, fold them into the batter at this stage.
6. **Pour into Pan**: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
7. **Bake**: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil.
8. **Cool and Serve**: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
### Tips for the Best Pumpkin Oat Bread
- **Use Fresh Pumpkin Puree**: While canned pumpkin puree works well, using fresh pumpkin puree can enhance the flavor and texture of your bread.
- **Don’t Overmix**: Overmixing the batter can result in a dense and tough bread. Stir until the ingredients are just combined.
- **Add Texture**: Incorporating chopped nuts or chocolate chips can add a delightful crunch and extra flavor to your bread.
- **Storage**: Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or refrigerate for up to a week. You can also freeze it for longer storage.
This pumpkin oat bread recipe is a wonderful addition to your fall baking repertoire. It’s not only delicious but also packed with wholesome ingredients that provide a good source of fiber and nutrients. Enjoy a slice with your morning coffee, as an afternoon snack, or even as a dessert with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Happy baking!