It’s that time of year when all things pumpkin are being unleashed, from lattes to spices to candles. And while I genuinely love all things pumpkin, I wanted to create a quick bread packed with real pumpkin and pumpkin spices that was also packed with whole grain goodness. This whole wheat pumpkin spice bread was born with freshly milled flour and a sweet crunchy top. It’s sure to be a fall favorite!
Whole grains are all the rage these days, and for good reason. They’re packed with nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants, and they can help to reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. But let’s face it: sometimes Whole grains can be a little bit dense, but not here.
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I’ve spiced things up with this quick bread recipe that’s full of fall flavor. All purpose flour is swapped out for whole wheat flour, and added in some pumpkin spice and pumpkin puree for delicious flavor and moisture. The result is a deliciously moist quick bread that’s perfect for breakfast, snack time, or even dessert. And trust me, your taste buds will thank you for making the switch to whole grains. Bon appetit!
The benefits of whole wheat flour
Freshly milled flour from a grain mill is one of the best things you can do for your baking. Not only is it more nutritious than store-bought flour, but it also has a fresher flavor. And since freshly milled flour is made from whole grains, it contains all the nutrients of the grain, including fiber, vitamins, and minerals that will are absent from those shelf-stable flours.
Whole wheat flour is especially good for you because it contains the entire wheat kernel, including the bran and germ. This means that it’s packed with nutrients and fiber, both of which are important for maintaining a healthy diet. So if you’re looking for a healthy way to boost your baking, switch to freshly milled whole wheat flour. Your taste buds will thank you! (See my whole post on baking with whole grains!)
Ingredients for Whole Wheat Pumpkin Bread
Fall baking is all about pumpkin bread. This quick bread is made with fresh pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and brown sugar crunch. The bread is deliciously moist and flavorful. Pumpkin bread is the perfect treat for fall!
- Whole Wheat Pastry Flour (soft whole wheat or substitute all-purpose)
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Pumpkin Pie Spice (Save money and make your own!)
- Oil (I use olive, avocado, or coconut)
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Pumpkin Puree (learn how to make your own pumpkin puree in minutes!)
- Vanilla extract (make your own extract at home!)
- egg
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Brown sugar
See the full recipe card below for exact measurements. Pair this with a freshly brewed cup of tea mid day or as a delicious start to your day with breakfast. This bread has become a quick family favorite.
Step-by-step instructions for pumpkin spice bread
Fall is in the air, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time to bake some pumpkin spice bread! This delicious treat is perfect for chilly autumn days, and it’s surprisingly easy to make. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll be enjoying a warm slice of pumpkin spice bread in no time.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large bowl, mix together whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, sugar, oil, apple sauce, egg, and vanilla extract.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until everything is well combined.
- In a small ramekin, mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
- Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and sprinkle brown sugar mixture on top. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the bread to cool for a few minutes in the pan before turning it out onto a cooling rack. Cool for 5 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!
Whole Grain Pumpkin Bread Substitutions
- Use store bought whole wheat flour instead of freshly milled, or substitute all purpose
- Use a 12-muffin tin to bake these as muffins
- Swap out the oil for melted butter
- If sweetened applesauce is what you have on hand, use it and remove a tablespoon or two of sugar from the recipe.
Whole wheat flour is the star of this recipe, and for good reason. It’s packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Plus, it has a nutty flavor that pairs well with sweet or savory ingredients. I discovered this recipe years ago and have been making it ever since. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! If you give it a try, be sure to let me know in the comments below.
Whole Wheat Pumpkin Spice Bread
Make delicious pumpkin bread at home with this whole wheat pumpkin spice bread recipe! It's healthy and full of fall flavor!
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 cup oil
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large bowl, mix together whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, sugar, oil, apple sauce, egg, and vanilla extract.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until everything is well combined.
- In a small ramekin, mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
- Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and sprinkle brown sugar mixture on top. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the bread to cool for a few minutes in the pan before turning it out onto a cooling rack. Cool for 5 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!
Notes
- Substitute all purpose flour for the whole wheat if needed
- If using sweetened applesauce reduce sugar by a few tablespoons
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 187Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 276mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 3gSugar: 14gProtein: 4g