Paleo Pumpkin Bread (Vegan)

Pumpkin bread isn't something that I grew up eating much of, but so many of y'all requested a 'healthier' pumpkin bread recipe this year, so I made two! This, and then a chocolate chip muffin version - they're both paleo and vegan.

While pumpkin flavored-everything can get overwhelming this time of year, these recipes are everything but. They're not too sweet, very simple to make, and make it *officially* feel like fall. This bread is great as an after-dinner treat, or maybe even for breakfast alongside a warm cup of coffee. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Yield: 1 loaf

Coconut oil, for greasing muffin tin

2 1/2 c. almond flour (we love Bob's Redmill, Trader Joe's, or the Kirkland brand from Costco, but any almond flour will do).

1/2 c. arrowroot starch (found at Whole Foods, Amazon, and most health food stores)

1 1/2 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1 c. pumpkin puree (unsweetened)

1/2 c. maple syrup

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 Tbs. apple cider vinegar (we like Bragg's)

Sugar Topping:

1 tbsp coconut sugar

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9-inch loaf pan by greasing with coconut oil or lining with parchment paper (I prefer the latter).

Combine almond flour, arrowroot starch, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, cinnamon and sea salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the pumpkin, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Mix liquids into the dry ingredients and combine thoroughly. Finally, add the apple cider vinegar (last ingredient you want to add, as it will react with the baking soda!).

For the sugar topping, combine coconut sugar and the 1 tsp. pie spice.

Add half of the bread mixture to your prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the sugar topping evenly over it. Add the rest of the pumpkin bread mixture, and sprinkle with remaining sugar topping. Pop into the oven and bake for 45-55 minutes. You want the muffins to be a little tender on the inside, so toothpick should come out "almost" clean when tested (a little dough is okay, but you don't want it to be glopping with dough). Enjoy!