Pumpkin Power: Sweeten Your Baked Goods Naturally

Fall has arrived and with it comes pumpkin season! Pumpkins are not only great for Halloween decorations but are also a perfect ingredient for baking delicious treats. They are sweet, flavorful, and highly nutritious, providing the body with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. In comparison to traditional sweeteners like sugar, pumpkin is a healthier and more natural option for baked goods. This article delves into the benefits of using pumpkin as a sweetener and shares some mouth-watering recipes to try!

The Benefits of Pumpkin as a Sweetener

Pumpkin is an excellent ingredient to add a touch of sweetness to baked goods. One of the main advantages of using pumpkin as a sweetener is its lower glycemic index than sugar. This means that consuming pumpkin will not cause a spike in blood sugar levels, making it ideal for individuals with diabetes or anyone watching their sugar intake. Pumpkin also adds moisture to baked goods. This moisture is particularly useful when using whole-grain flour that can be dry and dense, resulting in lighter and fluffier baked goods.

Pumpkin is a diverse ingredient and can be used in a wide variety of baked goods. It pairs well with warm spices like nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and cinnamon. Additionally, it can be paired with chocolate, dried fruit, and nuts, making it a versatile ingredient in the kitchen.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

These delightful cookies are a combination of pumpkin and chocolate chips. They’re easy to make and perfect for any holiday gathering!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups whole-grain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, coconut oil, and coconut sugar. Mix well.
3. Add the egg and vanilla extract and stir until well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
5. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and stir until just combined.
6. Fold in the chocolate chips.
7. Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie.
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden brown.
9. Let the cookies cool for 5-10 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Pumpkin Bread

This pumpkin bread recipe is moist, flavorful, and perfect for a cozy fall morning!

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups whole-grain flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 3/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1/4 cup almond milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with coconut oil or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, eggs, coconut oil, coconut sugar, almond milk, and vanilla extract.
4. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing until fully combined.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
6. Bake for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
7. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
8. Run a knife around the edges of the bread to loosen it from the pan, then remove the bread from the pan and cool it on a wire rack.

Pumpkin Spice Granola

This pumpkin spice granola recipe is tasty, healthy, and packed with nutrition. It’s perfect to enjoy as a crunchy snack or as a topping for yogurt or smoothie bowls!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup raw pecans, chopped
• 1 cup raw walnuts, chopped
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, pecans, and walnuts.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
4. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and mix until fully combined.
5. Pour the granola onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it into an even layer.
6. Bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to ensure that the granola browns evenly.
7. Remove the granola from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet.
8. Once the granola has cooled, stir in the raisins and dried cranberries.

Conclusion

Using pumpkin as a sweetener in baking is an amazing way to add flavor and nutrition to your favorite treats. Pumpkin’s lower glycemic index and ability to add moisture to baked goods make it a healthier and natural alternative to traditional sweeteners. It is also an incredibly versatile and flavorful ingredient that pairs well with different flavors and ingredients like warm spices, nuts, dried fruits, and chocolate. Try out these delicious recipes and be creative in your baking with pumpkin!