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This Grain-Free Pumpkin Loaf is the perfect October treat for a festive dessert or to pair with a hot cup of coffee on a chilly morning — if we ever get chilly weather here in TX.
I know there are a lot of pumpkin bread recipes out there, but here I use a nutty brown butter, a blend of spices, and a hint of maple to make the loaf feel like fall and I’m tellin’ y’all it is GOOD. Topped with a mapley-spiced cream cheese icing, this is a healthier take on the Starbucks cult-classic pumpkin loaf — with that craveable *moist* texture we all love.
I also love how versatile this can be. Skip the icing and toast up for breakfast with a swipe of nut butter, or ice it and serve as a dessert. It’s perfect for any occasion.
A few notes about the ingredients used in this Grain-Free Pumpkin Loaf:
- I use a blend of paleo flours to keep the crumb light and to avoid a dense loaf.
- As far as flour swaps go, just stick to the flours listed here since other flours like coconut or cassava are not 1:1 swaps.
- You can swap the browned butter for ½ cup of avocado oil, melted ghee, or melted coconut oil if you want to keep this paleo.
- Canned pumpkin can vary in how watery it is. If your pumpkin is very thin, you may need to add a tablespoon or two of additional tapioca flour as a binder.
Grain-Free Pumpkin Loaf
Ingredients
For the Loaf
- 1 stick unsalted butter - or sub ½ cup avocado oil, 1/2 cup melted ghee or ½ cup melted and cooled coconut oil (*See note)
- 2 large eggs - room temperature
- ¾ cup coconut sugar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 cup pure pumpkin puree - not pumpkin pie filling
- 1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract
- Zest of one small lemon
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1 ½ tsp. baking soda *see note below if making muffins!!
- 1 ½ cup almond flour
- ½ cup tapioca flour
- 2 tbsp. ground flax seeds
- 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp. kosher salt
For the Icing
- 4 oz. dairy-free cream cheese – I used Kite Hill
- 2 Tbsp. unsweetened almond milk
- 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
- 3 Tbsp. powdered sugar
- 1 Tsp. pure vanilla extract
- ½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375. Line a loaf pan with a parchment paper sling, and spray with cooking oil spray. Set aside.
- If using the butter, In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the butter. Allow the butter to melt and simmer, swirling the pan as it begins to get foamy, cooking for about 4-5 minutes. Once it begins to look golden and smell nutty, remove from the heat. Set aside to cool (to help speed up the process, I typically pour the browned butter in a bowl and place in the fridge).
- Meanwhile, in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or in a medium mixing bowl using electric beaters, beat the eggs at medium speed for 2-3 minutes until very frothy and pale yellow. It’s important you beat the eggs for the full time so that they take on air, which will help the loaf rise.
- When the brown butter is cool to the touch, add it (or the avocado oil, ghee or coconut oil*) to the eggs along with the coconut sugar, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, vanilla, lemon zest and juice, and the baking soda. Whisk well to combine. Let it set for about two minutes prior to adding the dry ingredients.
- Add the almond flour, tapioca flour, ground flax, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, and salt. Mix on low until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Transfer the loaf to the middle rack of the oven, and bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a knife can be inserted into the center of the loaf and it comes out clean. If the top of your loaf starts to become overly browned, tent with foil and continue cooking until the bread is cooked through.
- While the loaf is cooking, make the icing. In a medium bowl, using a hand mixer, add the cream cheese, almond milk, and maple syrup. Beat on low until smooth and creamy. Slowly add in the powdered sugar, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and a pinch of salt. Beat for one minute until well combined. Transfer to the fridge until you’re ready to ice the loaf.
- Use the parchment sling and remove the bread from the pan and transfer to a baking sheet fitted with a wire rack. Using a butter knife or offset spatula, smooth the frosting over the surface of the loaf, allowing some to drip down the sides. Transfer to the fridge to allow the glaze to set a bit. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
*If you are using butter, follow the directions as listed to start by growing the butter. If you are using avocado or coconut oil, add that in step 4 when it says to add the brown butter.
To Make Muffins:
To make these into muffins, you'll just need to make a few minor changes.
- Preheat over to 350 degrees F and grease a muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray (or use muffin liners).
- Use 2 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp baking soda
- Evenly distribute the batter into the muffin tin about 3/4 full. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 12-14 minutes.
- Once cooled, add frosting, if desired.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photography and styling by Eat Love Eats.
What is the macros on this recipe?