Spiced Pumpkin Loaf

A loaf isn't like a cake, well I mean it actually really is, but we all like to believe that a loaf is a cakes healthier little sister, don't we? 

There's no frosting or a filling and this one even contains a vegetable so surely it counts as one of our 5-a-day. Yes loaves are definitely healthy, you can even have them for breakfast!

I've made this one using gluten + wheat free flour and it is also lactose and egg free. You can alter the spice levels or which spices you use according to your tastes but I found that these all go well together with the flavour of the pumpkin, making it perfect for this time of year. Just grab a cuppa and enjoy!

PS - I'm not saying you should warm this a little and then slather it with nut butter and a drizzle of honey. Obviously I'm not saying I did this exact thing and it was amazing...but if you were that way inclined and liked that kind of thing I suppose it would be ok…

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cup (218g) Plain Flour (I used GF)
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1 tsp Freshly ground Nutmeg 
1 tsp Ground Ginger
1 tsp Ground Mixed Spice
1 tsp Xanthan Gum
3/4 cup (150g) Soft Light Brown Sugar
2-3 tbsp Agave Nectar (could use honey)
1 cup (242g) Pumpkin Puree (just over half a tin of Libbys 100% Pumpkin)
1/2 cup (118ml) Veg. Oil
4 tbsp Water
Pumpkin Seeds, to top

To Make:

• Pre-heat oven to 175C.
• Lightly grease and dust a loaf tin with flour.
• In a large bowl, add the flour, baking powder, xanthan gum, spices, brown sugar and salt.
• Mix and set aside.
• In another mixing bowl, add the pumpkin puree, oil, agave and water, mix well.
• Add the wet ingredients mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until just incorporated. Careful not to over mix! The batter will be really thick, but don’t worry.
• Transfer the batter to the greased loaf tin.
• Top with a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds, a little more cinnamon and some demerara sugar.
• Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, checking after 50 mins with a skewer. It will be nice and golden on top, with a crisp crust.

• Once done, remove from oven, and cool.
• Once cool, slice and serve!