Gluten-free Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin lattes, pumpkin beer, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin pie: until this year, I haven’t really jumped on the pumpkin craze during the holiday season.  But now that I’ve discovered this pumpkin bread recipe, I’m already planning which bed the pumpkins will be planted in next year.

We had three pumpkins for Halloween and only carved one so, I had two pumpkins to bake and a whole lot of leftover cranberries to use.  The first time I made this recipe was only an experiment, but it was so delicious I've since made it 4 times.  I even bought another pumpkin this week to make loaves for Christmas gifts.

 

Gluten-free Pumpkin Bread

The pumpkin is so moist and flavorful that it makes for a great gluten free baking addition.  

Makes 2 loaves

1 ½ cups rice flour

1 ½ cups sorghum flour

½ cup tapioca starch

5 tsp baking powder

2 tsp xanthum gum

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp all spice

½ tsp nutmeg

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 cup butter

2 cups sugar

4 cups pumpkin puree

*1 cup pecans

*1 cup cranberries

* optional

Preheat the oven to 325, and lightly oil loaf pans.  

Mix the dry ingredients and set aside.

Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time.  Add pumpkin and mix.  Fold in dry ingredients.  Do not over-mix, fold in nuts and cranberries.

Pour into prepared pans and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes. 

 

NUTRITION

Why gluten free?  Even if you don't have celiacs disease or are gluten intolerant, it's not a bad idea to choose gluten free options. Gluten, and specifically wheat, has been overemphasized in the American diet and maybe why wheat is a common allergy.  Even though you may not be allergic to wheat or gluten, you may still have reactions.  Some common symptoms for being "sensitive" to gluten are: joint pain, skin rashes, irritability, moodiness, and bowel problems.  

When you eat a variety of grains, you also consume a variety of nutrients.  For instance, quinoa and amaranth are higher in protein, while oats contain beta-glucans that help lower cholesterol.  

Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a low-calorie vegetable though, it's a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.  It's particularly high in Vitamin A and other carotenes.  Vitamin A and carotenes are well-known to improve night-vision and prevent age-related eye diseases.