Low-Fat Pumpkin Cranberry Bread Recipe

This healthy pumpkin cranberry bread recipe is perfect for your holiday baking–there’s nothing quite like the sweet, tangy goodness in each bite of this super-moist homemade pumpkin bread!

If you’re looking for a homemade pumpkin bread recipe to add to your holiday baking for Thanksgiving or Christmas, you’ve found it. There’s nothing like the sweet, tangy flavor in each bite of this super-moist homemade pumpkin cranberry bread. One bite, and your family will be begging for more!

Celebrate the cozy flavors of fall with this Healthy, Low-Fat Pumpkin Cranberry Bread Recipe. Bursting with tangy cranberries, warm spices, and the natural sweetness of pumpkin, this wholesome loaf is as nutritious as it is delicious.

I have been baking this low-fat pumpkin cranberry bread as a healthy breakfast, tasty snack, simple appetizer, scrumptious side dish, and dessert for friends and family for over 30 years, and it is always a favorite for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Made with whole-grain flour and minimal oil, it’s a lighter version of a classic comfort food.

My family thinks this healthy pumpkin bread recipe tastes even better when you make it with homemade pumpkin puree — yum! If you don’t believe me, test it yourself!

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Related: 20 Fun Thanksgiving Traditions

Healthy Pumpkin Bread Recipe:

As a kid, I always loved my great-grandmother’s homemade pumpkin bread. But when I was trying to lose weight many moons ago, I replaced half of the oil in her original homemade pumpkin bread recipe with applesauce.

Would you believe my family loved my low-fat, healthy pumpkin bread version even more than her original homemade pumpkin bread recipe?

They said it was moister than her original pumpkin bread recipe. The ingredients were blended to create a new, improved consistency that everyone loved. In other words, the added applesauce made it even better than ever!

Next, I experimented by adding leftover whole cranberries from Thanksgiving to my healthier pumpkin bread recipe. My family fell in love with my new and improved pumpkin cranberry bread recipe again, and we think you will, too. Scroll down for the recipe and step-by-step baking instructions.

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How to Make Pumpkin Bread with Cranberries:

This healthy pumpkin bread recipe is a fantastic low-fat holiday treat that will delight and make your family beg for more! Enjoy it as a hearty breakfast, an afternoon snack, a simple appetizer, or a guilt-free dessert. Gather the ingredients and kitchen supplies, then follow the step-by-step instructions in the next section:

Low-Fat Pumpkin Bread Ingredients:

• Butter or spray oil
• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 16 oz Homemade Pumpkin Puree (or 1 16 oz can)
• 2 large eggs beaten (Alternatively, you can use three egg whites if you want to lower the fat content even more.)
• 2/3 cup water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups fresh whole cranberries

Kitchen Supplies Needed for Pumpkin Cranberry Bread:

• Mixer (optional)
• Large mixing bowl
• Medium mixing bowl
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Mixing spoon
• 2 loaf pans
• Oven

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Pumpkin Cranberry Bread Step-by-step Baking Instructions:

This healthy pumpkin bread recipe tastes even better when it is made with homemade pumpkin puree. Start by making pumpkin puree from scratch with my easy step-by-step tutorial if you’re feeling up for it. Believe it or not, making homemade pumpkin puree from scratch is a lot easier than it sounds. It’s also an excellent garden-to-table or farm-to-fork activity for children. Then, follow these easy step-by-step instructions to make healthy pumpkin bread:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (about 180°C).
2. Coat two loaf pans with butter and/or spray oil.
3. Stir together the dry ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl: flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
4. Mix the wet ingredients in a large mixing bowl: sugar, pumpkin puree, eggs, water, oil, applesauce, and vanilla.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and stir until combined.
6. Fold in fresh cranberries.
7. Divide batter between prepared pans.
8. Bake for about 60 minutes or until a toothpick or knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Allow loaves to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

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Pumpkin-Cranberry Bread Serving Tips and Ideas:

Make pumpkin bread with cranberries for a unique twist on a classic side dish this holiday season. This easy, homemade, low-fat pumpkin cranberry bread recipe makes a healthy treat during the fall and winter months and is excellent for holiday entertaining.

Pumpkin-cranberry bread is a highly versatile fall dish and a perfect accompaniment to any Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas holiday meal. Serve it for breakfast or as a snack, add it to the appetizer table, or enjoy it as a festive seasonal, not-too-sweet dessert.

For a simple breakfast, enjoy a warm slice plain, or with a light spread of butter, almond butter, or cream cheese. The creamy texture pairs well with the tart cranberries and highlights the subtle pumpkin spice flavor. Combine it with a hot cup of coffee, herbal tea, or a nutritious glass of milk for a nourishing start to your day.

If you’re entertaining, try toasting thin slices and serving them to your guests for brunch alongside fresh fruit, yogurt, and a drizzle of honey. Or place the whole loaf on a breadboard with a knife and small plates alongside a few other appetizers and invite guests to serve themselves as they wait for dinner.

You can even cut it into small cubes for bread pudding or layer it in a parfait with Greek yogurt and granola for a creative dessert or snack. For a seasonal twist, top each slice with a sprinkle of toasted nuts or a spoonful of homemade cranberry sauce (get the recipe in Thanksgiving Traditions). The combination of textures and flavors will elevate this simple loaf into something special.

Pumpkin cranberry bread also freezes well. Wrap individual slices and reheat them in the toaster or microwave for a quick, wholesome treat anytime!

Healthy Homemade Pumpkin Cranberry Bread Recipe:

This Pumpkin Cranberry Bread recipe proves that eating well doesn’t mean giving up on flavor or comfort. With its satisfying balance of sweet and tart, it’s a perfect way to nourish both body and spirit.

Whether shared at a holiday gathering, served as a nutritious breakfast, or enjoyed as a hearty snack, this low-fat loaf brings wholesome goodness to your table one delicious slice at a time.

Tickle your family’s taste buds with its super moist, sweet-tangy homemade pumpkin cranberry bread today! You might also enjoy apple pie oatmeal.

For several more fun fall activities, have a look at our fall bucket list.

Learn more about Nell Regan Kartychok, author, photographer, and creator of this delicious homemade pumpkin bread recipe HERE, and Rhythms of Play HERE!

If you liked this Homemade Pumpkin Bread Recipe, you might also like the following Ideas:

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