Nutritious Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread for Seniors

Healthy Recipe, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

Holidays aren’t the only time to enjoy pumpkin bread. This recipe will satisfy sweet cravings with more than empty calories. Canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling, which contains other ingredients) is chock-full of fiber, antioxidants, and other nutrients. Since it’s naturally sweet, it can take the place of some of the sugar. It also acts as a binder so there’s no need for eggs, making it a great choice for vegans. Makes 1 loaf (8 to 10 slices). – Susan Puckett

Ingredients

·      Nonstick baking spray (or shortening and flour for greasing and dusting the pan)
·      2 cups all-purpose flour
·      ½ teaspoon kosher salt
·      ½ teaspoon baking soda
·      ½ teaspoon baking powder
·      2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (or ¾ teaspoon each ground cinnamon and ginger plus ½ teaspoon nutmeg)
·      ½ cup water
·      2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
·      1 cup canned pumpkin puree
·      ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
·      3 tbsp honey
·      3 tbsp maple syrup
·      1 banana, mashed
·      ½ cup chocolate chips 

Instructions

1.     Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9x5-inch loaf pan with baking spray, or grease with a little shortening and dust with flour, tapping out the excess. (For easy removal, line the pan with a strip of parchment paper with enough overhang at each end to serve as “handles.”
2.     Place the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl and whisk well to combine. Stir in the water, oil, pumpkin, applesauce, honey, and maple syrup with a wooden spoon. Stir in the chocolate chips. The batter will be thick.
3.     Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, spread the top smooth with a spoon or rubber spatula, and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let the bread cool to room temperature before removing it from the pan and slicing.
4.     Leftovers can be stored at room temperature, wrapped in several layers of plastic wrap, for several days or frozen for up to 3 months. 

Why This Recipe is Great for Senior Fitness

• Supports Digestive Health: Pumpkin and bananas are rich in fiber, which aids digestion and promotes gut health.

• Heart-Healthy & Low in Sugar: Natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup keep this bread tasty without excess refined sugar.

• Easy to Make & Vegan-Friendly: Pumpkin puree replaces eggs, making it easy to digest and suitable for seniors following plant-based diets.