Moist and Delicious Healthy Pumpkin Bread

Did you know that you can make the best Pumpkin Bread with Date Paste? I had my doubts, but gosh — it turned out fabulous!

Date Paste is an excellent alternative to refined sugar ~ and it’s a really good option for those who are diabetic, as date paste doesn’t have the same effect on blood sugar as refined sugar does.

I haven’t always wanted to try making Pumpkin Bread with date paste… but it was one of those accidental things that just unexpectedly happened.

Last year around Thanksgiving, I entertained my family – who came down from up north.  One of my Dad’s good friends (and a fellow business owner) from up in our small Minnesota town had a home down here in San Tan Valley – he had been a snowbird for years, but recently made the full time move just days prior.  This man, and good friend, had lost his wife to a long and arduous battle with cancer just days prior to the move.

I’d be lying if I said that stopping in to visit him was not an emotional, gut wrenching experience.  I truly felt the worst sorrow for him, as he prepares to continue his life here without his wife of over 30 years.  

Upon leaving, I asked my Dad if he thought it would be a great idea for me to stop in frequently and take him some baked goods – and at that time, my dad mentioned that I could.. but his good friend was diabetic.

Dates are a wonderful alternative option for diabetics, so I moved on with modifying one of my favorite pumpkin bread recipes to include dates instead of sugar – and it worked out wonderfully.

You’ll want to start by making Date Paste – which is relatively easy (you can grab those steps HERE).  Once you have the paste, it can be substituted for sugar at the ratio of 1:1 — except.. you want to avoid using it in light and airy recipes (like angel food.. that wouldn’t be a good idea!)  Use it instead in heavier baked foods – it’ll lend more moisture and bake up with warm, nutty tones.

This recipe makes just one loaf of Pumpkin Bread –you could easily double to make two generous loaves, or even adapt to a muffin tin too.