• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Honey, Whats Cooking

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Travel
    • Lifestyle
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipe » Diet » Healthy-ish Desserts » Pumpkin Banana Bread (lightened up, 100% whole wheat)

    Posted on: Nov 26, 2012 · Modified: Oct 9, 2021 by honeywhatscooking · 27 Comments

    Pumpkin Banana Bread (lightened up, 100% whole wheat)

    0 shares

    Technically, it is still “pumpkin” season since we are still in November and this recipe is just too amazing to not share with you all.DSC_0261_485


    Before I forget, hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  This year I flew out to California to spend the holidays with my sister, niece, and nephew.  The 4 of us and my parents headed to my brother-in-law’s side of the family’s home for Thanksgiving where we enjoyed lots of great food and company.  A special thanks to R & D for hosting all of us and for your warm hospitality.  Everything from the wine to the turkey to the sides to the desserts were amazing.


    View album

    Thanksgiving

      
    And now, to share with you a Pumpkin Banana Bread recipe I recently made.  My friend, Jhiane, came over while I was moping around at home one day, and instead of sulking I baked to feel better, and in turn I made Jhiane very, very happy!  She devoured this dessert.  Apparently, my sorrow turns into her gain, but I'm glad someone was around to enjoy it.  🙂 DSC_0252_476


    The bread itself contains no oil or butter, and yet it tasted delicious, however the cream cheese frosting on top does contain a little butter.  If fat is not an issue, I highly recommend enjoying this delicious bread with a dollop of frosting because frosting just makes everything in life better.DSC_0278_502


    After baking this delicious Pumpkin Banana Bread, I was extremely surprised as to how moist this bread tasted, in fact it tasted less like a bread and more like cake to both Jhiane and I.    DSC_0221_445


    So before November is officially up, bake this wonderful bread/cake for your family, it’s the perfect start to a day, or the perfect end to a night with a cup of tea.  This incredibly delicious Pumpkin Banana Bread tastes best when served warm with a dollop of cream cheese melting on top, or just microwave the bread for 15 seconds before serving.  Heavenly. DSC_0277_501

    NUTRITION:
    Whole Wheat Pastry Flour is an excellent source of Protein and Fiber.  Pumpkin is rich in Vitamin A and Fiber.  Bananas are a very good source of Vitamin B6.  They are also a good source of Vitamin C and Fiber.  Pecans contain natural antioxidants and are heart-healthy nuts known to lower cholesterol.

    APPROXIMATE NUTRITION PER SERVING (yields 10 slices):for a healthier version, skip the cream cheese frosting.

    • Calories: 314 cals  (without frosting – 264) 
    • Fat: 10 g  (without frosting – 6.7) 
    • Saturated Fat: 3 g  (without frosting – 0.9)
    • Carbs: 67 g  (without frosting – 63) 
    • Protein: 4.6 g  (without frosting – 4)
    • Fiber: 5.2 g  (without frosting – 5.2)


    PUMPKIN BANANA BREAD
    (REDUCED FAT) (slightly modified the original’s @ Confessions of a Chocoholic)

    ~ yields 10 slices @ 350 degrees using a loaf pan 

    INGREDIENTS:

    • Whole Wheat Pastry Flour – 1 ⅔ cup
    • Baking Soda – 1 tsp
    • Cinnamon – ¾ tsp
    • Ginger Powder – ⅛ tsp
    • Nutmeg – ⅛ tsp
    • Salt – ½ tsp
    • Sugar in the Raw’s Turbinado Brown Sugar – 1 cup
    • Egg – 1
    • Libby’s Pure Pumpkin – ¾ cup
    • Ripe Bananas – 3 ½ (medium size & mashed)
    • Sour Cream – 2 tablespoon
    • Pure Vanilla – 1 tsp
    • Spiced Rum – ¼ cup or 2 oz.
    • Pecans – ⅔ cup (roughly chopped)


    CREAM CHEESE FROSTING (reduced fat)
    :


    INGREDIENTS:

    • Unsalted Butter – 2 tbsp
    • Neufchatel Cream Cheese – 2 ounces
    • Vanilla – ½ tsp
    • Confectioners Sugar – ¼ to ⅓ cup


    DIRECTIONS:

    1. Start by preheating the oven at 350 degrees and grease a loaf pan.Aloo_Kati_Roll_182
    2. Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl… flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger powder, and salt.  Mix and set aside. 
    3. In a separate bowl, combine the egg and sugar.  Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture on medium to high speed for 10 minutes, YES, 10 minutes. 
    4. This is what you should have.  Notice the mixture is a bit grainy since I used turbinado brown sugar, if you choose to use white sugar, the sugar crystals will dissolve more easily.
    5. In the meantime, mash the bananas.
    6. Now add the bananas, pumpkin, sour cream, vanilla, and spiced rum to the wet mixture. 
    7. Mix until all the ingredients are well blended.
    8. Chop the pecans.
    9. Add the dry ingredients and the pecans.

    10. Fold, DO NOT MIX, fold the ingredients in.
    11. Pour into the baking tray.

    12. Into the oven for at least 45 minutes.  I baked mine for 55-60 minutes, but careful the top of the cake does not burn.  This will vary based on your oven.
    13. Make the cream cheese frosting by combining all 4 ingredients… butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and confectioners sugar.
    pizza 086

    14. Wait 10 minutes before serving so the bread settles.  Top with a dollop of cream cheese frosting.  So incredibly delicious, I can’t believe each slice is packed with so much nutrition.  Enjoy! DSC_0214_438


    OVERALL RATING: 5 / 5 

    Quite honestly, there is absolutely nothing I would change about this cake.  The original recipe calls for white flour and sugar, however I used whole wheat and turbinado brown sugar, respectively.  In addition, I used pecans instead of walnuts simply because I prefer the combination of pumpkin and pecans.  Just a note, when you eat the bread straight out of the oven, it may seem a bit gooey in the center, this happened despite baking the cake for an additional 10-15 minutes, this is normal.  The bread will eventually settle down.  Delicious cake that should be everyone’s “go-to” recipe for bread.  Thanks Bianca for an awesome recipe.  I can’t wait to make this bread for my mom, she will love it.


    TELL ME: Have was your THANKSGIVING?  What did you eat?  




    « Healthy Whole Wheat Pumpkin Pie Pancakes… post-Thanksgiving morning!
    London Bakeries | UK »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. The Squishy Monster says

      November 26, 2012 at 5:48 am

      oooooh, I love the addition of pumpkin and spiced rum in this =)

      Reply
    2. Khushboo says

      November 26, 2012 at 7:36 am

      Yummy! I love subbing oil/butter with pumpkin/applesauce in baked goods...they add such a moist texture that you don't even miss the fat! My Thanksgiving didn't involve the whole feast but it did include my first ever slice of pumpkin pie...I'm a big fan :)!

      Hope you had a great weekend, Nisha!

      Reply
    3. Dixya says

      November 26, 2012 at 2:17 pm

      seems like you had a great time in Cali with your family 🙂 the bread looks so moist, I am starting to deviate from pumpkin now and ready for cranberries.

      Reply
    4. Roha says

      November 26, 2012 at 3:27 pm

      Yummy..!!

      First time here 🙂 You have very nice collection of recipe Glad to follow you..:)

      Reply
    5. Pam says

      November 26, 2012 at 4:53 pm

      I wish I had a slice with my coffee right now.

      Reply
    6. Parita says

      November 26, 2012 at 6:08 pm

      This sounds fantastic! VERY comforting! I could even see eating this as part of breakfast with a cup of coffee. You're giving me ideas... 🙂

      Reply
    7. Ameena says

      November 26, 2012 at 9:43 pm

      Hope you are having a great time in California! Let me know if you need any more suggestions...

      Reply
    8. Eat & Burpp says

      November 27, 2012 at 4:40 am

      It actually looks so moist & truly appeals the taste buds 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    9. Asmita says

      November 27, 2012 at 1:42 pm

      OMG,
      This looks so delicious! I can finish off the whole loaf all by myself. Yummy!

      Reply
    10. Sanzibell says

      November 27, 2012 at 6:26 pm

      yummi, sieht super lecker aus ♥

      Lieben Gruß

      Sarah
      http://www.sanzibell.com

      Reply
    11. Jen @ The Scrumptious Pumpkin says

      November 27, 2012 at 6:50 pm

      Love that this bread is so healthy because I'm not sure I could resist going back for a second (and third) slice - this looks moist and delicious 🙂

      Reply
    12. Kitchen Queen says

      November 27, 2012 at 7:04 pm

      lovely moist bread.

      Reply
    13. Cathleen says

      November 28, 2012 at 3:33 am

      What a combination of ingredients! Wow, I would love some of this right now!

      Reply
    14. GlamorousGirl says

      November 27, 2012 at 8:06 pm

      great!

      Reply
    15. eatgood4life.blogspot.com says

      November 28, 2012 at 7:00 pm

      More pumpkin recipes? Nice. I might have to try this one as well. I am actually going to make another batch of the pancakes tomorrow but this time I am tripling the batch to have some frozen 🙂

      For thanksgiving we had honey sesame chicken with brown rice and salad as well as some cranberry coffee cake, no turkey for us 🙂

      Reply
    16. honeywhatscooking says

      November 29, 2012 at 7:28 am

      @eatgood4life - You will love this recipe since it's healthy and yummy at the same time. Wow, another batch of pancakes. Didn't know you could freeze the batter. THat's awesome. Your Thanksgiving menu sounds nice, I love chicken over turkey. 🙂

      Reply
    17. honeywhatscooking says

      November 29, 2012 at 7:29 am

      @Cathleen - it is delicious.. you wouldn't be sorry. 🙂

      Reply
    18. honeywhatscooking says

      November 29, 2012 at 7:29 am

      @Jen - this cake is moist and delicious.. I don't feel guilty going back for seconds, but it's so filling too.

      Reply
    19. honeywhatscooking says

      November 29, 2012 at 7:30 am

      @Asmita - haha.. that makes 2 of us.

      Reply
    20. honeywhatscooking says

      November 29, 2012 at 7:32 am

      @Eat & Burpp - thank you. it is so moist. 🙂

      Reply
    21. honeywhatscooking says

      November 29, 2012 at 7:38 am

      @Ameena - thanks so much for the suggestions, although we just hung out by the Pier.

      Reply
    22. honeywhatscooking says

      November 29, 2012 at 8:07 am

      @Parita - it is very comforting. Loved having this with a cup of coffee & tea.

      Reply
    23. honeywhatscooking says

      November 29, 2012 at 8:09 am

      @Roha - thank you. That's very nice of you to say.

      Reply
    24. honeywhatscooking says

      November 29, 2012 at 8:19 am

      @Dixya - cranberries sound nice this time of year, and apples too.

      Reply
    25. honeywhatscooking says

      November 29, 2012 at 8:38 am

      @Khushboo - I'm so glad you finally tried Pumpkin Pie, it's just so good. I love replacing fat with applesauce/yogurt.. adds so much moisture. 🙂

      Reply
    26. Guru Uru says

      November 29, 2012 at 6:30 pm

      Mmmm this bread looks perfect my friend you would fool me with reduced fat 😀

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

      Reply
    27. honeywhatscooking says

      November 30, 2012 at 5:59 am

      @GuruUru - thanks, I think it's even better than reduced-fat, healthier. 🙂

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Nisha... a foodie who is passionate about healthy-ish living and mindful eating. You'll find a little bit of everything here. I use mostly organic real ingredients and incorporate seasonal produce in my cooking. I believe food is medicine. Come join me on this soul-searching journey as I share my love for good food, and I hope somewhere along the line, I inspire you to eat better.

    Learn more about me →


    Trending Posts

    • World's BEST Spaghetti RAO’s Homemade Marinara
    • Baked Falafel (healthy, dairy free)
    • Chicken Seekh Kebab (dairy-free, gluten-free)
    • Bombay Grilled Sandwich (vegetarian)
    • Mexican Pizza Taco Bell (vegetarian)
    • Gajar Ka Halwa | Indian Carrot Pudding (gf)
    • Green Moong Dal Khichdi (healthy)
    • Lavash Bread Pizza (healthyish)

    Subscribe

    * indicates required

    Footer

    As Seen On

    Let's Connect!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Menu

    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Travel
    • Lifestyle
    • Shop

    About

    • About
    • Contact
    • Press
    • Privacy Policy

    Subscribe

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Honey, What's Cooking

    0 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Reddit
    • Yummly