It wouldn’t be Halloween without putting the noble pumpkin on the menu! I also want a treat that’s not as tricky with preservatives and empty calories. So for us, a solution – Vegan Pumpkin Bread! It’s full of lots of good stuff so you won’t feel as bad eating the whole loaf (I promise I won’t judge. In fact, I encourage it).

Vegan Pumpkin Bread

• 1 14-oz can pumpkin puree (or fresh, cooked pumpkin)
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce -OR- mashed, overripe banana
• 1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk (or plant-based milk of choice, though the flavors may change)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract or flavoring
• 1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/3 – 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 Tbsp ground flaxseeds
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Pinch of fresh ground nutmeg (use whole nutmeg and grind fresh with a microplane zester) (optional)
• Pepitas (pumpkin seeds), for topping (optional)
• Vegan semisweet chocolate chips, for topping (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a bread loaf pan and set aside.
2. Mix all wet ingredients together in a large bowl (pumpkin, applesauce/banana, milk, vanilla) until incorporated.
3. To the wet mixture, add all dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and flaxseeds). Fold mixture until smooth, making sure to not overmix.
4. Place mixture into the loaf pan. Smooth down to flatten. Add desired amount of pepitas, chocolate chips, or other topping to the top of the mixture.
5. Bake for 55-60 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick in the center. If it is clean, your bread is done.
6. Enjoy! (With some coconut whipped cream or almond milk vanilla ice cream!)

I am one for the hearty, decadent breads, and this pumpkin bread will surely satisfy! The fresh nutmeg can be substituted with ground nutmeg, but it won’t taste the same. Nutmeg spoils quickly once it is ground, so fresh is best! I hope you all have a safe Halloween, All Hollow’s Eve, Samhain, and Dia de Los Muertos weekend 🙂 Stay safe, and eat well!