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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. The loaf is perfectly moist and then topped with a deliciously spiced cream cheese frosting.
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 crave-able *moist* texture we all love.
I also love how versatile this can be. For breakfast, skip the icing and toast it then add a swipe of nut butter. Or, frost it and serve as a dessert. It’s really perfect for any occasion!
Recipe FAQs:
I use a blend of paleo flours to keep the crumb light and to avoid a dense loaf!
It is best to stick to the flours listed. Other flours like coconut or cassava are not 1:1 swaps here.
Yes! You can use a 1/2 cup of avocado oil, melted ghee, or melted coconut instead to keep the loaf paleo.
Canned pumpkin can vary! If your pumpkin is very thin, add a tablespoon or two of additional tapioca flour as a binder.Â
Yes, with a few small adjustments, you can make these into muffins. See the recipe note for full directions!
No matter the occasion you make this for, I hope you love this Grain-Free Pumpkin Loaf! Comment below your favorite way to enjoy it.
For more fall desserts:
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
- 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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photography and styling by Eat Love Eats.
I’ve made this loaf 3x already this fall. About to make it again tonight! I just don’t have cream cheese on hand! But that won’t stop me… this loaf is UNREAL.
This was sooooo good! I also substituted the tapioca 1:1 with coconut flour and it tasted great!
Hello! Any recommendations on what can I replace the flax seed with?
It turned out great! Best gluten free muffins I’ve ever made. They held together, were springy, and tasted great.
What a yummy recipe! I omitted the lemon and added chocolate chips the second time I made these and found them a little more “Autumn” flavored 😉
I literally cannot believe how good this recipe is!!! It is the best pumpkin bread i have ever had in my life! I skipped the icing and added enjoy life chocolate chips only because i had everything on hand and they were amazing! And now i have a good excuse to try them again with the icing 😉 I want to make these for everyone i care about!!!!!!!!
What is the weight of a stick of butter? Butter only comes in 250g blocks where I live. 😃😃
It is about 113g!
I made this today and it was soooo good!! I couldn’t find tapioca flour so I used corn starch instead and it turned out fine. The icing was delicious! I will have to make this a yearly tradition 🙂
Rarely rate and comment, but this is by far the best pumpkin loaf I have ever made. Like, perfect amount of spice, the crust on the outside is just right, and the dairy free pumpkin spice glaze is so good.
Alex, I’m so excited that your getting into baking. While I am 95% cook (not a baker), I am always looking for slightly healthier baking options that dont require expert baking skills.
Thank you so so much!!! I am so glad you loved it!
Un-freakin-believable. Best grain free treat I have ever had. We put salted butter on our slices instead of the frosting but WOW. JUST WOW.
Hi. Can you freeze this bread? Also could you add chic chips? Tj add no you!
yes you can definitely freeze! I have muffins in my freezer now! And choc chips would be a delicious add in! 🙂
Help! I have made this AMAZING loaf perfectly three times now – but this third time is the first time I’ve made the icing in the recipe. However I used a Greek Yogurt cream cheese (still thick!) vs. the recommended Kite Hill. I followed the measurements to a T, but I used a 1995 immersion blender to mix as I don’t have a hand mixer, and I made it way too thin! Recommendations on how to thicken up the icing?
I think the immersion blender blends it, but doesn’t “whip” it as much to get that creamy texture you want.