Heavenly Spiced Pumpkin Banana Zucchini Loaf
After years of perfecting this recipe, I proudly present a delicious and versatile bread that has become a family favorite. Perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a delightful dessert, this bread is so moist and flavorful that even the pickiest of toddlers and teens will come back for seconds! It can be easily customized based on what ingredients you have at home—whether you want to feature pumpkin, bananas, or zucchini in your creation, the possibilities are endless. Experiment with different combinations and have fun naming your unique loaves; we’ve had everything from 'Pumpkana' to 'Zumpkin'. You’ll see why this bread has earned a spot in our hearts and our kitchen. Enjoy this labor of love that is sure to brighten your day and please your palate!
N/A
Servings
160
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Eggs
4 (Large eggs)
Milk
1/2 cup (2% milk)
Vegetable Oil
1/2 cup (No preparation needed)
Applesauce
1/2 cup (Use single serving cups if available to reduce waste)
Butter
1/2 cup (Softened, not melted)
White Sugar
1 1/2 cups (No preparation needed)
Brown Sugar
1 1/2 cups (Scooped, not packed)
Bananas or Zucchini
2-3 cups (Mashed bananas or shredded zucchini)
Vanilla Extract
2 teaspoons (Use real vanilla for best results)
All-purpose Flour
3 cups (Sifted)
Baking Soda
2 teaspoons (No preparation needed)
Baking Powder
1 teaspoon (No preparation needed)
Salt
1 teaspoon (Or a dash of natural sea salt)
Ground Cinnamon
2 teaspoons (No preparation needed)
Ground Ginger
1 teaspoon (No preparation needed)
Ground Nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (No preparation needed)
Ground Cloves
1/4 teaspoon (No preparation needed)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two loaf pans.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, applesauce, softened butter, both sugars, and your choice of mashed bananas or shredded zucchini. Stir each ingredient well before adding the next to ensure even mixing.
3
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. If you don’t have a sifter, you can use a whisk to aerate the flour before measuring to improve the texture of your bread.
4
Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until smooth. Be careful not to over-mix.
5
Evenly divide the batter between the two prepared loaf pans.
6
Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the loaves; it should come out clean.
7
Once baked, allow the breads to cool in the pans for 15 to 20 minutes, then carefully invert them onto a wire rack to cool completely. You may need to run a knife around the edges before inverting to help release them from the pans.
8
Slice, serve, and enjoy this moist, flavorful bread. Store the second loaf in the fridge to maintain freshness or freeze it for later enjoyment.
Nutrition Information
6.7g
Fat
23.2g
Carbs
2.4g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recommended oven temperature for this bread?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) before baking.
How many loaf pans does this recipe require?
This recipe yields two loaves, so you will need two loaf pans.
How should I prepare the loaf pans?
You should grease and flour both loaf pans to prevent the bread from sticking.
Can I use either bananas or zucchini for this recipe?
Yes, you can use 2-3 cups of either mashed bananas or shredded zucchini, or even a combination of both.
How many eggs are used in the Heavenly Spiced Pumpkin Banana Zucchini Loaf?
The recipe calls for 4 large eggs.
What type of milk is suggested for this recipe?
The recipe suggests using 1/2 cup of 2% milk.
Does this recipe use oil or butter?
It uses both: 1/2 cup of vegetable oil and 1/2 cup of softened butter.
What is the benefit of adding applesauce to the bread?
Applesauce helps keep the bread moist and flavorful; using single-serving cups can help reduce waste.
How should I measure the brown sugar?
The brown sugar should be scooped rather than packed for this specific recipe.
What should I do if I don't have a sifter for the flour?
If you don't have a sifter, you can use a whisk to aerate the flour before measuring to improve the texture of the bread.
How much all-purpose flour is needed?
The recipe requires 3 cups of sifted all-purpose flour.
Which spices give this bread its spiced flavor?
The bread is flavored with ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
How long should the bread bake in the oven?
The bread should bake for 50 to 60 minutes.
How can I tell if the bread is finished baking?
Insert a toothpick into the center of the loaves; if it comes out clean, the bread is done.
How long should the bread cool before removing it from the pans?
Allow the breads to cool in the pans for 15 to 20 minutes before inverting them.
What tip is provided for releasing the bread from the pan?
Run a knife around the edges of the loaf before inverting the pan to help release the bread.
Can I freeze this bread for later?
Yes, you can freeze the second loaf for later enjoyment or store it in the fridge to maintain freshness.
How many calories are in one serving of this bread?
Each serving contains approximately 160 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving has about 6.7g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 23.2g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in each slice?
Each serving provides 2.4g of protein.
What are some of the nicknames the author's family uses for this bread?
The family has used names like 'Pumpkana' and 'Zumpkin' depending on the ingredients used.
Is it okay to over-mix the batter?
No, you should mix the ingredients just until smooth and be careful not to over-mix.
What kind of salt is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of salt, or a dash of natural sea salt.
How much vanilla extract should I add?
Add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, preferably real vanilla for the best results.
What are the leavening agents used in this recipe?
This recipe uses 2 teaspoons of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of baking powder.
What is the total number of ingredients needed?
There are 17 ingredients in total for this recipe.
Is this bread suitable for picky eaters?
Yes, it is described as being so moist and flavorful that even picky toddlers and teens enjoy it.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include quick bread, pumpkin bread, banana bread, zucchini bread, spiced bread, and family favorite.
How should the wet ingredients be mixed?
Stir each wet ingredient well before adding the next to ensure even mixing throughout the batter.