Lighter Pumpkin Bread

Aside from all the jokes about pumpkin flavored everything, it really is an essential flavor during the holidays. I'm sure if Family Feud surveyed 100 people and asked, "What is the most popular flavor of fall?" "Pumpkin" would be at the top of the list!

So here I bring you, a recipe for delicious pumpkin bread. This is one of my favorite recipes, AND it's lighter than traditional recipes without sacrificing flavor and texture. :)

The original recipe makes 3 9x13 loaves, but you can make them into muffins, mini loaves, etc. I was able to make 3 mini loaves (which I gave away as gifts) and 6 jumbo muffins.

Lighter Pumpkin Bread (adapted from allrecipes' Pumpkin Bread IV)

Ingredients
(Dry)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1.5 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger

(Wet)
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup canola oil (I used 1/2 cup canola, 1/2 cup melted unrefined coconut oil)
2/3 cup water
2.5 cups white sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 °F. Choose your desired pans and prep accordingly.
2. Sift/whisk all the dry ingredients together. Mix all the wet ingredients until smooth. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet and mix until well blended.
3. Pour into prepared pans and bake. Baking time will vary with the type of pans you choose. My jumbo muffins took 28 minutes to bake, and my mini loaves took 38 minutes to bake. Regular muffins will take about 20 minutes, and a 9x5 loaf will take about 45-60 minutes. The best way to test for doneness is to insert a toothpick or skewer into center of the bread, and it comes out clean. Cool and frost if desired.

Drizzled with melted white chocolate + unrefined coconut oil

Jumbo muffins!

These make the perfect gift because they taste even better over the next couple of days! Enjoy :D

#BasicDog Pumpkin Treats

What's more basic than pumpkin spice anything in the fall? Nothing. Now your dog can also embrace the basicness in a spicy pumpkin treat.

Last week I bought a package of soft dog cookies for about $5, and after a couple of days it was completely finished! Most cookies I buy for my dog are hard and crunchy, but I really like the idea of a softer treat. This recipe I came up with is super duper easy and perfect for the fall.

Brawny and my sister's 2 German Shepherds absolutely loved these cookies. You can eat them too! These are really great to bring along on a hike or long workout as they are filled with fiber and vitamins. They're also very mildly sweet, so don't expect a sugary pumpkin cookie taste!

Soft Pumpkin Dog Cookies (makes ~24)

Ingredients

2 cups oat flour
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2  tsp ground ginger (optional)

3/4 cup canned pumpkin
3 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
4 Tbsp honey




Directions
1. In a large bowl mix together the oat flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and ginger. In a separate bowl, mix together the pumpkin, coconut oil, and honey.
2. Pour the wet mixture into the dry and stir until well combined.
3. Scoop tablespoons of dough onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet and flatten with a fork.
4. Bake for ~15 minutes at 350 F°. (Bake 5-10 minutes longer if you want a firmer cookie).
5. Let cool and store in an airtight container. :)

Pumpkin batter

Cookies before baking

#BasicDog loves his #BasicCookies

Now go make these pumpkin treats! To fully get into character, dress warmly in your leggings and Ugg boots... and don't forget to Instagram the finished product. ;)