Diabetic-Friendly Pumpkin Date Nut Loaf
This delightful Diabetic-Friendly Pumpkin Date Nut Loaf is a cherished recipe passed down from my mother, thoughtfully adapted for those watching their sugar intake. Rich in flavor and full of wholesome ingredients, this quick bread is perfect for the holiday season. Packed with the natural sweetness of dates and the warm spices of cinnamon and nutmeg, it makes a wonderful alternative to traditional sweets and is a fantastic gift for friends and family during Thanksgiving and the holiday season. Each slice offers a moist texture and a nutritional boost without compromising on taste, making it a guilt-free treat for everyone.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
pumpkin
29 ounces (canned or pureed)
Splenda sugar substitute
4 cups (or preferred sugar substitute)
eggs
2 (lightly beaten)
oil
1/2 cup (vegetable or canola)
applesauce
1/2 cup (unsweetened)
cocoa powder
1 tablespoon (unsweetened)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (pure or imitation)
whole wheat flour
4 cups (sifted)
white flour
1 cup (sifted)
baking soda
4 teaspoons (sifted)
salt
1 teaspoon (table salt)
cinnamon
1 teaspoon (ground)
ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (freshly grated is best)
ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
chopped dates
2 cups (pitted and chopped)
chopped nuts
2 cups (walnuts or pecans preferred)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour 8 small loaf pans or 4 larger loaf pans to prepare for baking.
2
In a large mixing bowl, use a whisk to thoroughly whip the eggs until light and frothy.
3
Gradually add in the oil, continuing to mix until well combined.
4
Incorporate the Splenda sugar substitute, mixing until fully blended into the egg and oil mixture.
5
Stir in the applesauce, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract until combined.
6
In a separate bowl, sift together the whole wheat flour, white flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to ensure even distribution of the dry ingredients.
7
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, folding gently until just combined (the batter will be thick).
8
Fold in the chopped dates and nuts, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
9
Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pans, filling each about 2/3 full.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
11
Once baked, remove the loaves from the pans and let them cool on a wire rack.
12
After cooling completely, store the loaves in plastic bags to maintain freshness. For added convenience, this bread freezes beautifully, making it an excellent holiday gift!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Diabetic-Friendly Pumpkin Date Nut Loaf?
It is a moist, flavorful quick bread made with pumpkin, dates, and nuts, specifically adapted for individuals monitoring their sugar intake.
Is this recipe suitable for people with diabetes?
Yes, it is labeled as diabetic-friendly because it uses Splenda sugar substitute and unsweetened applesauce instead of refined sugar.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
What type of loaf pans should I use?
You can use 8 small loaf pans or 4 larger loaf pans for this recipe.
How do I prepare the loaf pans for baking?
Grease and flour the pans to ensure the bread does not stick.
How many eggs are needed for the pumpkin loaf?
The recipe calls for 2 eggs, which should be lightly beaten or whipped until frothy.
What kind of pumpkin should I use?
You should use 29 ounces of canned pumpkin or pureed pumpkin.
Which sugar substitute is recommended?
The recipe suggests 4 cups of Splenda sugar substitute, though you can use your preferred sugar alternative.
What is the purpose of adding applesauce?
Unsweetened applesauce adds moisture to the bread without adding extra refined sugar.
What types of flour are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses a combination of 4 cups of whole wheat flour and 1 cup of white flour.
Should I sift the dry ingredients?
Yes, sifting the flours, baking soda, salt, and spices ensures an even distribution throughout the batter.
What spices give the loaf its flavor?
The loaf is flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves.
Is there cocoa powder in this pumpkin bread?
Yes, the recipe includes 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder.
What kind of oil should I use?
You can use 1/2 cup of vegetable or canola oil.
What type of nuts are best for this recipe?
Chopped walnuts or pecans are preferred for this date nut loaf.
Do the dates need to be prepared in a specific way?
Yes, you should use 2 cups of dates that are pitted and chopped.
How thick should the batter be?
The batter will be thick once the dry ingredients are combined with the pumpkin mixture.
How full should I fill the loaf pans?
Fill each prepared loaf pan about 2/3 full with the batter.
How long does the bread need to bake?
Bake the loaves for approximately 1 hour.
How can I tell if the pumpkin loaf is done?
The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
What is the first step in the mixing process?
The first step is to whisk the eggs in a large mixing bowl until they are light and frothy.
When should I add the dates and nuts?
Fold in the chopped dates and nuts at the end, after the dry and wet ingredients are combined.
How should I cool the bread?
Remove the loaves from the pans and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
How should I store the finished loaves?
Once completely cool, store the loaves in plastic bags to maintain their freshness.
Can this pumpkin bread be frozen?
Yes, this bread freezes beautifully, making it convenient for advance holiday preparation.
Is this recipe good for holiday gifts?
Absolutely, it is described as a fantastic gift for friends and family during Thanksgiving and the holiday season.
What is the texture of the bread?
The bread has a moist texture and is full of wholesome ingredients like whole wheat and fruit.
Does this recipe contain any salt?
Yes, it includes 1 teaspoon of table salt.
How much vanilla extract is used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of pure or imitation vanilla extract.
Can I use freshly grated nutmeg?
Yes, the recipe notes that freshly grated nutmeg is best for the flavor profile.