Spiced Healthy Pumpkin Bread With Cake Mix Recipe

Name: Spiced Healthy Pumpkin Bread With Cake Mix Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 box Sugar-free cake mix (You can use a regular cake mix if you don't want sugar-free. ); 1 15oz pumpkin puree ((not pumpkin pie filling) ); 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice; 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg; 3 eggs; 1/4 cup applesauce (Unsweetened or sweetened, whichever you prefer. ); 1/4 cup coconut oil (Be sure it is melted to a liquid before pouring into bowl. ); 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (These are for sprinkling on top before baking (optional) )

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You are going to want to make this quick and easy healthy pumpkin bread with a cake mix recipe. Each slice has only 1 gram of sugar, and it only takes 10 minutes to mix up and pop into the oven. Before you know it, your home will be filled with the aroma of delicious spiced pumpkin bread.

loaf of pumpkin bread sliced and pumpkin seeds on top

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As the time of year for cool weather approaches, there is just something comforting about warm spices, apples, and pumpkins during the fall season. This pumpkin bread is sure to be a crowd favorite served with my spiced mocktail, mocktail. You could also top thick slices with my homemade applesauce.

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Why this recipe works
🛒 Ingredient notes
🔪 Step by step instructions
Variations
💭 Tips for making the recipe
❓ FAQ
Related Recipes
Recipe

Why this recipe works

This is a simple pumpkin bread recipe that only requires a large bowl and a loaf pan for baking.
If you are calorie conscious then you can choose to use a sugar-free cake mix for the base of this recipe.
The flavor of this pumpkin bread is full of warm fall spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

🛒 Ingredient notes

1 box white cake mix or yellow cake mix flavor. I like to use a sugar-free cake mix but if you prefer a regular one is great.
Pumpkin pie spice: If you don't have a jar of pumpkin pie spice then just mix in 1/2 teaspoon of Cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon cloves, 1/4 teaspoon allspice, and 1/4 teaspoon of ginger
Unsweetened applesauce: Again, if you prefer you can use sweetened applesauce. Applesauce is a great substitute for oil in baked goods and makes moist pumpkin bread.
Pumpkin puree: Be sure you get a can of pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix. Also, you do not want to use fresh pumpkin.
For greasing my bread pan before baking I like to use coconut cooking spray. It adds a hint of sweetness to the outside crust.

See the recipe card for a complete list and quantities.

🔪 Step by step instructions

This cake mix pumpkin bread is easy to make with a few simple ingredients that you probably have on hand.

pumpkin bread loaf pan with parchment paper and coconut spray

1. Trace the outside of your loaf pan and then trim just inside the trace line.

2. Spray a bread loaf pan with coconut oil lightly. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.

pumpkin bread dry ingredients and wet in bowls

3. Combine dry ingredients, the cake mix cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg in a medium bowl. Stir to blend.

4. Combine wet ingredients, pumpkin puree, eggs, apple sauce, coconut oil into a medium bowl. Stir until well combined into a smooth batter.

pumpkin bread batter in loaf pan with pumpkin seeds on top

5. Pour the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and bake.

Hint: For best results, check the bread with a digital bread thermometer to see if it is done. It should read between 200° and 205° F.

Variations

I like to add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to my batter.
Pecans or walnuts would also be delicious in pumpkin bread.
Cut your bread into squares and top with cream cheese frosting for delicious treats.

💭 Tips for making the recipe

Be sure you buy pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
If you can not eat a whole loaf of pumpkin bread, then make this recipe in cupcake tins. You can easily freeze any extras in an airtight ziplock freezer bag.
So your bread does not stick, it is best to spray your loaf pan with non-sticking cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper.

❓ FAQ

How do you know when pumpkin bread is done?

Pumpkin bread is done when it puffs up and crack on top. You can also check for doneness by inserting a wooden toothpick in the center of the bread. If it comes out clean with no bread sticking to it, then the bread is done.

At what temperature is pumpkin bread done?

Pumpkin bread is done when you insert a digital thermometer in the center of the loaf and, it reads between 200° and 205°.

How do you make pumpkin bread not stick in the pan?

To help pumpkin bread not stick to a pan, try a fat coating, like vegetable oil or coconut oil. This will create a non-stick barrier between the dough and the pan.

Do you refrigerate pumpkin bread after baking?

It is best to refrigerate pumpkin bread after baking. Be sure to wrap it in wax paper or parchment paper and place it in a plastic bag. Plastic wrap will stick to the bread on pull-off pieces when unwrapped.

pumpkin bread with slice and pumpkin seeds on top

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Update Notes: This post was originally published in 2019 but was republished with new photos, step-by-step instructions, and tips in September of 2021.