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)”
All of the prizes look great! I have been lusting after The Gluten Free Diner cookbook for awhile, but can’t honestly say it is more tempting than the other wonderful prizes!
Every Christmas since we were very young our mother has given us Christmas pajamas on Christmas eve. Even though we are all adults, the tradition continues! My mom and dad also get pajamas now as well as our significant others and any friends that come for the holidays.
Shared on facebook!
The GF Asian Kitchen…i miss dumplings asian style. Making and decorating sugar cookie cut-outs with my husband!
shared your link on my facebook wall!
Out of all the books posted, I would love to win the Gluten-Free Asian Kitchen cook book. After living in Japan for two years, I sometimes find myself not being able to get enough Asian food! I would love a recipe book that can guide me in creating delicious recipes that meet my dietary restrictions. If I don’t win this contest, I will most likely check it out anyway! My favorite holiday tradition is listening to James Brown’s Funky Christmas Album and watching Home Alone with my sister on Christmas Eve- you can never be too old for Home Alone!
First off, this recipe looks sooooo good! I have all the ingredients except the buckwheat flour, so I know what I’ll be picking up at the store this week!
Of your prizes, I would love to win the Gluten Free Asian Kitchen cookbook. I think it would definitely inspire me to cook and recreate gluten and dairy-free versions of the same food I ate when I lived there.
As for the holidays, we have a nice Christmas Eve dinner with family, either at home or at our favorite local restaurant, then we would go to a late mass.
I would love to win the Gluten Free Diner! One of my favorite Christmas traditions is to sit and enjoy the decorations on our tree while listening to Christmas music.
I shared this on Facebook and tagged you.
Hi
I love glossy magazines. Or could it be the chocolate cake on the cover!
My favorite tradition just started a few years ago, we put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving.
thanks
I’d love to win the Delight subscription! One of my favorite holiday traditions is Christmas Caroling! As a matter of fact, we went tonight and people loved it!
It would be really nice to win The Gluten-Free Diner and 7 Quick Start Tips for Living a Healthy Gluten-Free Fit Life. The Delight Magazine Subscription would be nice too. Oh, I’d like to win it all, who wouldn’t. One of our holiday traditions is hot chocolate and cookies while we decoate the tree.
The prizes all look good. 🙂 I’d like the magazine subscription the most. I would love to receive new recipes with fantastic pics coming in the mail every month or two! My fav Christmas traditions are baking cookies and decorating the Christmas tree as a family with Christmas carols playing in the background.
The Gluten-Free Diner eCookbook would be a great addition for my new GF diet….celiac has gotten me thinking a whole new way
i retweeted this giveaway!
i forgot to mention my favorite tradition which is the youngest child in the family that can read, reads Twas the Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve….
and the book I would like to win is The Gluten-Free Diner eCookbook
Shared on Facebook!
The Gluten Free Diner looks intriguing (and of course the bag, mustn’t forget that). They’re all awesome though, and it’s wonderful that you all are doing this.
My favorite Christmas tradition probably isn’t technically a “Christmas” tradition, but we always made giant St. Nicholas’ Day cookies and put our shoes out by the fireplace. And in the morning the cookies would be there, along with other wonderfully edible things. Far superior to Christmas! Especially given that we devoured a good half of the cookie dough while making them…
I would like all of them but especially the gluten free diner ecookbook. That looks really good! One of my favorite holiday traditions is sitting around together opening up are few thoughtful gifts that remind us of how much we care for one another. Nothing fancy, just fun!
Shared on Facebook!
I would like to win the Delight subscription 🙂
There are many holiday traditions that I love, but I really love decorating the tree with my husband, while having hot chocolate. And then turning off the lights and seeing it with all the lights on, so pretty.
I shared the contest on facebook.
The Delight magazine subscription seems most delightfu to me.
A favorite tradition is hanging the stockings and filling them while no one is looking.
I would love the Delight magazine subscription. My favorite holiday tradition, is watching A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation and Elf snuggled up on the floor with lots of blankets pillows, and of course my family and nothing but the twinkling of the Christmas lights. It’s magical!
I shared on FB!
oh, the gluten-free asian kitchen, of course. i grew up in the middle of a huge asian community and so many of those dishes are comfort foods for me!
one of my favorite holiday traditions is our thanksgiving brunch. all of our favorite appetizers spread out on christmas linens. we eat while we open presents.
i sent this link to several friends who are gluten-free. unfortunately, they’ll probably want the same book. fortunately, they are nice enough to share.
yumm! Love pumpkin bread! one of my holiday faves.
Gluten free Diner ebook with tote would be fabulous.
One of my holiday traditions has always been baking for and with others. Now I enjoy it also with my kids as a family on Christmas eve & share the goods on Christmas day!
Shared with others!
The pumpkin bread recipe looks delicious. I would like to win the GF Asian Kitchen. I love Asian food.
I would love to win the subscription to Delight Gluten Free.
I shared your recipe and giveaway via email.
I have been trying to figure out how to translate our family’s traditional Christmas treat,Boston Brown Bread. I will be using your lovely pumpkin bread recipe for same. Thank You! If I had to choose a cookbook,first would be The Asian GF Cookbook. Closley followed by the GF Diner!Huge fan of DDD and will try to get his producers to search out a GF Diner for him to feature! Thanx again for your site!
I would love the Delight magazine! It looks yummy and helpful! Our favorite Christmas tradition is watching all the wonderful Christmas movies.
I’ve emailed friends and put it on facebook!
Getting the subscripstion would be great since I am new to gf lifestyle.
I actually have a copy of the Gluten Free Asian Cookbook (it was on my wish list from the moment I saw it last spring). I made the potstickers shown on the cover. OMG were they good! Any of the remaining prizes look like they would be a great addition.
The Delight subscription sounds most appealing to me, how wonderful would it be to get some gluten free inspiration every month with beautiful pictures and articles to compliment! My favorite Christmas tradition is the pie making. Mom always put me in charge of that, pumpkin, chocolate mousse, and apple are always at our table. We throw in a new pie every year, too.
Tweeted @EliseJSchwartz
Facebook shared
I would love to win ANY of the prizes listed! And my favorite holiday treat/tradition is making latkes and eating them with my mom and dad. We made squash-kes this year (butternut squash latkes) in order to fit our paleo diet!
I wanted to find a recipe for GFCF holiday treats, and this one looks perfect. I will be making it for my own family and baking for another family with autism as well. It looks delicious. Thank you!!
I also tweeted this contest!
I would love to win any of the books for our non-profit!! We will keep them in our lending library.
Shared on Facebook!
I love exploring new recipes for baked goods so I would love to have the Delight subscription.
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is family breakfast on Christmas morning.
thanks for a chance to win a cookbook.
I would love to win the Gluten Free Asian Kitchen and my favourite holiday tradition is spending time with my family.
Hi there,
I posted this link on my facebook.
Thanks for the contest!
Larry
I really don’t want any of the books as none of them follow 80/10/10, but I did share on facebook because I would really like the vitamix 🙂
Hmm, I would really love any of these, but the Gluten-Free Asian Kitchen is really intriguing and the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake on the Delight Magazine looks AMAZING!
My favorite Christmas tradition is getting together with family on Christmas Eve and ending the night with a candle-lit church service.
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