Lighten Up Your Pumpkin Bread

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2009

Pumpkin bread is a fall favorite for many families, according to Shirley Camp, University of Illinois Extension nutrition and wellness educator. But, a slice of traditional pumpkin bread can have more calories and fat than you expect—for a recipe that uses 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of oil, you will consume at least 155 calories and 9 grams of fat!

But, like many recipes, pumpkin bread can be altered to reduce fat and cholesterol, yet still taste good. Try the recipe below for a healthier alternative.

Low Fat Pumpkin Bread

1 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 cup plain low fat yogurt

3/4 cup all purpose flour

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup raisins

In a large mixer bowl, beat together pumpkin, sugar, oil and yogurt. In a medium bowl, combine the flours, baking powder, soda, cinnamon and salt; add to pumpkin mixture, stirring just until moistened. Stir in the raisins. Pour into a greased 9x5x3-inch loaf pan. Bake in preheated 350 F oven for about 1 hour or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Then remove from pan, and cool completely.

Approximate nutritional value per slice: 105 calories, 2 grams fat, 0 mg cholesterol.

Source: Shirley Camp, MS RD, Extension Educator, Nutrition and Wellness, scamp@illinois.edu