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Lighter Pumpkin Bread with Streusel Crumb Topping: Easy Fall Recipe

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A lighter, tender pumpkin bread made with applesauce instead of oil, topped with a buttery streusel crumb topping. Perfect for fall gatherings, this easy recipe delivers all the classic pumpkin spice flavor with less fat and calories.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (100g) packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 cup (245g) pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup (122g) unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil
  • ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour (for streusel)
  • ¼ cup (50g) packed brown sugar (for streusel)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon (for streusel)
  • 3 tablespoons (42g) cold unsalted butter, cubed (for streusel)
  • ¼ cup (30g) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, for streusel)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper, leaving overhang on long sides.
  2. Make streusel: In a small bowl, combine ½ cup flour, ¼ cup brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until mixture resembles coarse meal with pea-sized butter pieces. Stir in nuts if using. Refrigerate while making batter.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 ¾ cups flour, ¾ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, applesauce, eggs, vanilla, and vegetable oil until smooth.
  5. Pour dry ingredients into wet mixture. Fold gently with a rubber spatula until just combined (a few lumps are okay). Do not overmix.
  6. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Tap pan on counter to release air bubbles.
  7. Sprinkle chilled streusel evenly over batter. Do not press in.
  8. Bake for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If streusel browns too quickly, tent with foil at 40 minutes.
  9. Cool in pan for 15 minutes, then lift out using parchment overhang. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before slicing.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature ingredients. Do not overmix batter. Let bread cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling. Bread tastes even better on day two. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin bread, lighter pumpkin bread, streusel crumb topping, fall recipe, applesauce pumpkin bread, easy pumpkin bread

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/lighter-pumpkin-bread-with-streusel-crumb-topping-easy-fall-recipe/