Holiday Pumpkin Bread (Gluten-Free & Vegan)
Even though I’ve never had a gluten-free holiday in the past, as the honorary dairy-free gal in the free-from foodie club, I was invited to join in on the Home for the Holidays: Gluten-Free Style event, hosted by Shirley at Gluten Free Easily. Truthfully, the timing couldn’t be better, as by coincidence (seriously, this is just a coincidence) we will be having our first gluten-free and dairy-free Christmas this year.
Now, the idea of Home for the Holidays is to share a gluten-free recipe that says both “home” and “holidays” to me. I liked this concept, but honestly, I was a bit uncertain about what to post. With a small family scattered around five states / provinces, holidays have become less about tradition for my husband and I, and more about relaxing. While I definitely do not want to get rid of the relaxation part, I’m eager to “settle down” and inject a little more love into the season. So I’m digging deep into my childhood memories, past the toys and gifts, to the things that truly meant the most to me at Christmas.
One wonderful memory that I have is my mother baking dozens of mini-loaves of pumpkin bread to give as gifts. It was a traditional present that she baked up every single year for friends and neighbors, and it filled the house with such warmth and an unforgettable sweet and spicy aroma. She was a bit of a perfectionist, so I wasn’t allowed to help with the baking process, and thus had no “tried and true” family recipe to start with. Not to mention, with Tony on a gluten-free and egg-free diet, conventional recipes just wouldn’t do.
I searched all around for egg-free, gluten-free pumpkin bread recipes, and found a few, but all of them were so different! Which one would work best, and what could I safely modify? It was all so overwhelming that I scrapped the lot and I winged it. That’s right, sans recipe, I threw together a quick bread that is free of the top eight allergens and gluten-free to boot!
And you know what? It turned out fantastic on the first batch! Now that is something that doesn’t happen very often. It must be the magic of the holidays.
Recipe: Gluten-Free, Egg-Free, Dairy-Free Perfect Pumpkin Bread
Summary: This pumpkin bread has a wonderfully tender (yet cohesive) crumb that hits the sweet spot in texture, not too moist, not too dry. I didn’t get out of control with the sugars, so though it is dessert-like, it’s also passable as a brunch-style treat. We loved snacking on it plain (especially when warm), or even slathered with some dairy-free margarine or nut butter.
Ingredients
- 1-1/3 Cups Brown Rice Flour (can use white rice flour if preferred)
- 1/2 Cup Potato Starch
- 1/4 Cup Tapioca Starch
- 1/4 Cup Buckwheat Flour
- 2 Teaspoons Xanthan Gum (can sub guar gum for corn-free)
- 2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1-1/2 Teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
- 2/3 Cup Packed Brown Sugar or Coconut / Palm Sugar
- 1 15-ounce Can Pumpkin Puree
- 1/2 Cup Oil (grapeseed, coconut, canola, etc.; your choice)
- 1/2 Cup Pure Maple Syrup
- 1/4 Cup Water
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Lightly grease and flour (I used a little brown rice flour) 4 mini-loaf tins, and preheat your oven to 325ºF.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flours, starches, xanthan gum, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the sugar, pumpkin, oil, maple syrup, water, and vanilla.
- Stir in the flour mixture until all is just combined. It actually becomes smooth quickly.
- Divide the batter between your prepared tins, smoothing out the tops with the back of a spoon or spatula, since it will be a little thick.
- Bake the bread for 45 to 55 minutes, or until firm to the touch. The bread should pull slightly away from the pan when done, and will be lightly browned, but a toothpick inserted may yield a few very small crumbs, so I didn’t rely on the toothpick test.
- Let the loaves cool for 10 minutes, before popping them out to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Resist the urge to cut into these loaves while still hot. Like any bread, they will be a bit crumbly when hot, but firm up perfectly as they cool.
Quick notes
This recipe was baked at sea level. Note that egg-free AND gluten-free bread becomes trickier at high altitude. It may still work, but I haven’t tested it as of yet. Also, you may need to add a little more liquid at high altitude or in very dry climates.
Variations
If desired, before baking, sprinkle the tops of the loaves with a little cinnamon and sugar or with coconut sugar, for a little extra crunch and sweet.
This recipe should work well as muffins (will make about one dozen) and as a large loaf (use a 9×5 pan). Since I haven’t tested these, use your best judgment on the baking time. I would start with 22 minutes on muffins, and watch them from there. For a large loaf, it will probably take at least 60 to 70 minutes of baking time.
Preparation time: 15 minute(s)
Cooking time: 50 minute(s)
Diet type: Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy free, Egg free, Gluten free, Nut free, Peanut free, Soy free, Wheat free
Number of servings (yield): 12
Copyright © Alisa Fleming.
GIVEAWAY TIME!
Note: This Giveaway is now closed, but you can still enjoy the recipe above!
I’ve got FIVE PRIZES to share, which means FIVE WINNERS (see below for the big bonus prizes for the event)!
The Gluten-Free Asian Kitchen
The Gluten-Free Diner eCookbook + Whole Gang Jumbo Tote
7 Quick Start Tips for Living a Healthy Gluten-Free Fit Life eCookbook (2 winners)
Delight Magazine Subscription
BONUS: By commenting to win on this giveaway, you will automatically be entered to win one of the GRAND PRIZES in the Home for the Holidays event:
- The first prize is a top-of-the-line Vita-Mix professional blender 5200 Super Healthy Lifestyle package and a free copy of the super cool e-book Eat Fresh and Detox your Life (a $560 value!)
- The second prize is a shopping spree from Free From Gluten (a $150 value!)
- The third prize is a Caveman Cookies giveaway package (an $89 value!)
To Enter to Win:
- Leave a Comment telling me which book(s) and/or subscription you would like to win AND one of your favorite holiday traditions.
- For a second entry, share this giveaway on facebook, twitter, your blog, or via email to friends, and leave a second comment telling me that you’ve shared it. Don’t forget to leave this second comment for your second entry!
This giveaway is open to entries worldwide! The entries will close Tuesday, December 20th at midnight (PST), so enter now!
Note: If you want to join in on the Home for the Holidays event, feel free to grab the badge above and use it in your own gluten-free recipe post. Be sure to link back to the Home for the Holidays event page so that Shirley sees your post!
321 thoughts on “Holiday Pumpkin Bread (Gluten-Free & Vegan)”
The gluten free Asian would be amazing, but what I really want (like everybody else I think) is that Vitamixer!
I would love to win the magazine subscription. My favorite holiday tradition has to be waiting until midnight on Xmas Eve to open presents!
Great giveaways, the asian cookbook would be my top choice, though. I love singing Christmas carols!
Oh this project is so great. I am so happy to have yet another new site to add to my GF list! Mmmmm! And dairy free to boot! Fabulous 🙂
Any would be awesome, but the magazine is especially interesting to me. I love going to get the xmas tree and cutting it down together.
tweeted!
I would love to win the Gluten-Free Asian Kitchen cookbook!!!! YUMMY!!!!
Sorry – did not read the instructions for the giveaway thoroughly!
I would love to win the Gluten-Free Asian Kitchen cookbook!!!! YUMMY!!!!
One of my favorite holiday traditions is to watch my grandsons search high and low for their “elves” each morning when they get up.
Wow nice giveaway!! I would love the mag subscription or the 7 tips for gluten free book!
I have recentle been diagnosed with gluten intolerance and am learning to live this way, so any ideas, tips, cookbooks are of great value to me!
Ana
And one of my favorite holiday traditions is drinking hot cocoa with my son for christmas breakfast after opening presents!!
I emailed your site and entry info to others.
I would absolutely love to win the Delight Gluten Free magazine subscription!
My all-time favorite holiday tradition is making gingerbread houses with my family and friends. I can never eat them, but that’s okay. To me, it’s more of a creative outlet and a way to feel like a kid again. The whole afternoon really captures the magical essence of Christmas.
This year, my gingerbread house is going to be a healthy little hut, clad with broccoli and cauliflower trees. 🙂
I shared a link to the Home For The Holidays giveaway series on my blog’s facebook page. (Infectiously Optimistic)
Great recipe and give-aways! Thanks! I’d love the GF Asian Kitchen cookbook for some newly diagnosed GFree friends love it when I cook them Asian 🙂 One of my favorite Christmas traditions is going to cut down our Christmas tree as a family – I have 5 kids. The oldest is now 22, but he was right there with us again this year 🙂
I would love The Gluten Free Asian Kitchen. Those recipes look incredible. My favorite holiday tradition is decorating the tree the day after Thanksgiving.
I shared this post on Twitter
I would love to win the Asian Kitchen book.
Fave thing is Christmas morning opening stockings !
I’d love the Delight magazine subscription. My favorite holiday tradition is baking quickbreads to give as gifts.
I would love to win the Delight Gluten Free subscription and the Asian gluten free cookbook. I don’t really have any special traditions, each year is different! Thank you for these giveaways. 🙂
Such a tough choice…this is a great giveaway! I’ll start with my holiday tradition, which is watching White Christmas–the best Christmas movie ever!
I can’t decide between the magazine subscription and the Tote/e-book…any of the prizes would be amazing! If we have to pick just one, I guess I would have to say the magazine, but it is a tough choice!
I shared about the giveaway too!
Courtney
This bread looks so good! Can’t wait to try it!
Ooh, this is a tough choice! I’d love to win the magazine subscription, but any of the prizes would be great. One of our favorite holiday traditions is to bring our neighbors and friends homemade goodies, artfully wrapped. This year it’s homemade “Three Citrus Marmalade” and g-f scones. Yum! I’ll get back to the kitchen now. Holiday blessings to all!
Can’t wait to try this! Thanks for all the yummy recipes! Christmas food is the best! 🙂
Oh, and I would like the magazine subscription. Though pretty much all of those prizes are awesome!
I would love the Asian cookbook.
One of my favorite traditions in our family is Christmas Eve finger foods in front of the fire. Then we open our gifts. Christmas morning is stockings and a big family breakfast!
Ooh, this is a tough choice. I’d love to win the magazine subscription, but any of the prizes would be great. One of our favorite holiday traditions is to bring our neighbors and friends homemade goodies, artfully wrapped. This year it’s homemade “Three Citrus Marmalade” and g-f scones. Back to the kitchen now. Holiday blessings to all!
I would love to win the Gluten-Free Asian Kitchen or the magazine. I have not won anything in years! Our tradition is making dozens of Christmas cookies each year. Gluten- Free the last 4 years.
It’s a toss-up — I’d love the periodic inspiration coming from a subscription to Delight, but I really want to make my own dumplings, so The Gluten-Free Asian Kitchen would be amazing!
Every Christmas morning, my family makes 100+ sandwiches for the local homeless shelter — and we’ve been doing this for 20 years!
Thanks for offering the giveaway and have a great holiday!
I would love to win the Gluten Free Diner book and tote. I already subscribe to the Delight gluten free magazine and I love it! My family always makes a Vinatarta, which is an Icelandic dish. It is a Christmas treat in our house.
I would be thrilled with any of the giveaways…I need all the help I can get;)
We have so many wonderful traditions involving Christmas but I think my favorite is going to see a Musical Christmas Carol together as a family followed by dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. It’s a bit more difficult with 2 of us gluten free but we pulled it off again this year and had a blast.
I’d love GF Asian Kitchen! My favorite tradition is making the cookies for Santa.
The subscription would be my preference but really all of them sound fantastic. I love our family’s tradition of opening up gifts on Christmas Eve. Seems so much more magical at night.
I would love the GF Asian Kitchen. My son and I are GF and LOVE gyoza/dumplings. I am loving this contest because I have discovered all these wonderful blogs!
i shared this on facebook.
this is a great giveaway- great prizes!! I would like either the GF Asian Kitchen cookbook or the GF Diner cookbook, although any of the prizes would be nice.
I would love to win the gluten-free Asian cookbook – we miss Chinese food so much and would love to experiment with these recipes!
Our fave holiday tradition is reading the Christmas story by the fire on Christmas eve while we enjoy hot cocoa and cookies.
Merry Christmas!
Also shared on facebook. =)
I love pumpkin bread! Yours looks so moist and yummy.
I also love Asian cooking and would like that or the dinner book. Thanks for doing this!
I would be interested in winning the Delight Magazine Subscription. Can’t wait to try your Pumpkin Bread — would it be okay to use the pre-mixed GF flours available?
One of my favourite holiday delights is watching my young nieces open their presents on Christmas Day.
Susan, I think a premix flour blend would work well too. Be sure to use one that doesn’t already have xanthan gum in it, and I’d lean toward the mixes with rice flour or sorghum. A bean based mix would be overpowering I think.
Thanks Alisa — I’m going to give it a try!
I have shared this link on Facebook. (Susan Huston)
The GF Dinner and the subscription would be most awesome to me. My favorite tradition is opening one gift on Christmas Eve.
I would love the Gluten-free Asian Kitchen. My family loves singing Christmas Carols together on Christmas day!
Posted on Twitter.
The Gluten Free Asian Kitchen and Delight Magazine!
I posted on facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/mglawler/posts/135877859857249
I’d happily accept a copy of the Asian Kitchen or the Delight mag subsciption or of course the grand prize Blender-of-many-cooks-dreams 🙂
Holiday tradition — starting a new one this year, in keeping Hanukkah and starting Tuesday night is the lighting of the first candle of the hanukiah!
I would love to win the delight magazine subscription! And my favorite holiday tradition is Christmas caroling with family.
i would love to win the gluten free asian cooking – my 7 year old really misses potstickers!!!! one of our favorite holiday traditions is to give our son a new pair of christmas pj’s and a book (which we write a special note to him in) on christmas eve then we all get cozy and read it together.
I just shared this on twitter!
A favorite tradition is going to church & coming home to abig g;luten free meal with extended family…
I think all hte prizes are very nice but I would love “The Gluten Free Asian Cookbook…..
blessings
Family togetherness is my favorite tradition. I would like the magazine. Thanks for asking.
Comments are closed.