Pumpkin bread made a little healthier with applesauce instead of oil! The perfect Fall treat to satisfy a pumpkin craving and great for sharing.
Update: Many of you have asked about the bread pan in the picture. I received as a gift, but the closest I can find are here and here.
One of the things I love most about fall is comfort food. (Mostly the weather, but comfort food is still high on the list.)
What better comfort food is there than warm bread fresh out of the oven? My goal was to make a pumpkin bread that was slightly more healthy than some recipes I had seen (using applesauce instead of oil), so I could eat more of it myself without feeling guilty. 🙂
I say slightly more healthy because I know it still has a lot of sugar. But it DOES make 3 loaves so keep that in mind. So many pumpkin breads do have a lot of sugar, and I try to make healthy ingredient swaps when I can. Hence the applesauce.
So while I say healthier, I don't mean healthy. I'm counting this more in the comfort food category.
Though some readers have reported that they cut the sugar down to as low as 1 cup for the whole recipe, and that it still tasted good!
Since this makes enough for 3 loaves that means you can still have a loaf all to yourself even after giving two away! That is, if you can find two people you love enough to share this with.
It's great to make for gifts, potlucks, or big family dinners.
I used 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice. Don't have it? You can make your own by mixing cinnamon (1 and 1/2 teaspoons), nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon), ginger (1/4 teaspoon), and cloves (1/8 teaspoon).
This is the time of year that pumpkin spice is in everything and everywhere. It's the time of year I most look forward to!
The applesauce DOES change the consistently of the bread, so if you find it too “spongy” then maybe try replacing just half of the oil with applesauce. I personally (and many people I made it for) like it but it is enough of a difference that I feel I should give you fair warning.
Maybe add some pumpkin butter..
Or just have a couple (or twenty) slices.
If you want to get super fancy, check out my recipe for your own homemade applesauce to use for this bread!
What's your favorite thing about Fall/Autumn?
- 1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree
- 3 cups sugar *see notes
- 1 cup applesauce
- 2/3 cup water
- 4 large eggs
- 3 1/2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, sugar, applesauce, water, and eggs.
- In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
- Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture and stir until blended.
- Pour into bread or cupcake pans (will make 3 medium loafs or 36 cupcakes). Bake at 350 for 45 to 55 minutes for bread, 25 to 35 minutes for muffins, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.
*This can seem like a lot of sugar, I know! Keep in mind this recipe makes 3 loaves, but if it still feels like too much sugar for you, some readers have reported that they cut the amount of sugar in half (or even as low as 1 cup) for the whole recipe. I have not tried it this way but some people have preferred it with less sugar.
Recommended and useful items for this applesauce pumpkin bread recipe:
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K :))) says
This Applesauce pumpkin bread looks so good; I am going to make this to give for Christmas.
Can you tell me where you bought the scalloped edged loaf pan? “It is different looking.
Thank you
Kelly says
This is great as a gift! Let me know how your friends and family like it 🙂
I wish I knew where the bread pan came from! I think I got it as a gift. The closest thing I could find on amazon is this holiday set
Mandy says
I know it has been a while, but here is a gingerbread man version which looks a little more similar to hers.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000J1DV74/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1472918302&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=scallop+loaf+pan&dpPl=1&dpID=41FyHYe14zL&ref=plSrch
Jean Shouse says
How long should cupcakes bake (regular size and mini size)?
Leah says
Same time for a bread maker?
Kelly says
Leah, I’m not sure about bread maker time as I haven’t had luck with baking bread in those machines. I’d check your manual for guidelines, or just keep an eye on it while it’s cooking.
Maureen says
Do you prepare the loaf pans before adding the batter? Line them or grease them?
Kelly says
Depends on the pan you use Maureen! If it’s not nonstick, I’d spray it with some oil.
Susan says
Can I substitute gluten free flour?
Victoria says
What size is a ‘medium’ bread pan? Is it 8 x4?
Lindsey says
Question… does this recipe really call for 3 cups of sugar? That seems like an awful lot of sugar.
Thanks!
Kelly says
I know it seems like a lot! It makes 3 medium loaves so it does go further. Many pumpkin breads I see have 1.5 to 2 cups of sugar per loaf.
Pamela says
What size can of purée do I use? I was planning on making this today since I made homemade applesauce yestetday. It looks yummy and I’m eager to try a new pumpkin bread recipe.
Alicia says
Can you sub flax eggs for the regular eggs and get the same consistency?
Kelly says
I haven’t tried flax eggs with this particular recipe, but let me know if you do!
Julie Tunk says
Just tried this recipe this morning and it was really easy and delicious!! Will definitely make again!
Kelly says
So happy to hear you liked it! Thanks so much for the feedback Julie!
KAthy says
With the 3 cups of sugar, is this still
a diabetic recipe?
Kelly says
I never claimed it to be a diabetic friendly recipe!
Marcia Bush says
Can you use Stevia in place of the sugar?
Sexy grandma says
Making this bread can I use strawberry apple sauce or does it have to be regular apple sauce