You guys this loaf . . .

serious yumminess right there.

And super healthy!

Totally vegan!

and soooooooo delicious!

On the weekend I was invited to a dear friend’s house for a beautiful vintage inspired candle party. Of course my first thought was . . . “what food can I bring to share” what . . . totally normal right?

So, I was thinking, thinking, thinking, as you do and then I remembered since sweet friend had her second precious cherub 4 months ago sweet friend has been limited to a pretty strict vegan diet thanks to precious cherub having food sensitivities. The things us nursing mamas do for our precious little ones. I mean giving up milk, eggs, dairy and all that good stuff . . . not to mention anything overly spicy to ensure our precious babes are well fed and content . . .

Bless her heart, sweet friend needed something seriously tasty. Something that tasted like a total treat.

Then I remembered the incredible Vegan pumpkin loaf our girl Joy shares in her Joy the Baker Cookbook.

Sold!

So this week our test it out tuesday recipe is inspired by non other that the all inspiring, simple beautiful, supremely talented Joy the Baker and her Joy the Baker cookbook.

You guys . . . this loaf!

Insanely delicious!

Honestly, while it was baking it smelled so unbelievably good  I couldn’t wait to try a slice.

As soon as it was cool enough for slicing . . . I knew I was in trouble. This loaf was so good. Like really, really so good. I may or may not have had to slice it, cover it and stash it in the back of the fridge (and then leave the house immediately) just to ensure I didn’t inhale devour eat the whole thing before sweet friends party!

Perfectly sweet pumpkin and apple loaf, studded with teeny, tiny crumble bites of buttery walnuts. Most of the sweetness comes from the apple’s and there is an incredible combination of spices that give you the most ah-mazing heart warming hum of sweet, cinnamon spiked deliciousness that truly is divine!

The pumpkin and apple puree’s keep the loaf perfect moist (←sorry I know, I know but it’s true). Honestly, if you served me up a big ol’ slice of this Pumpkin, Apple and Walnut Loaf along with my morning coffee I would have no idea it was vegan.

Seriously, look at it – YUM!

Even spunky husband loved it although he had no idea what was in it . . . I mean we all know how much he hates pumpkin right?! Never eats it. Can not stand it . . . or so he thinks mwahahahaha (←insert evil sounding laugh here)

. . . and because we all know how much I love to sneakily feed people food they think they hate but really they secretly love . . . we all know I will be making this loaf again, and again and again over the coming weeks. Gotta keep myself amused give the people what they want, right? I mean poor spunky husband was so sad when he could only try one little slice because well, boys aren’t invited to beautiful, girly vintage soy mason candle parties

Anyway you guys, this loaf . . . totally healthy, insanely delicious and 100% vegan.

Make it, eat it, love it. Share it with someone you love . . . or a nursing mama who is on diet restrictions . . . or someone who loathes pumpkin . . . they will love it and you for sharing it with them! Promise

Pumpkin, Apple and Walnut Loaf {Vegan}
Adapted from Joy the Baker Cookbook
Makes 1 loaf, approx 12-14 slices

Ingredients –

1 cup wholewheat pastry flour (or regular plain flour works too)

1/3 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons of baking soda

2 teaspoons of baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon of all spice

1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon of cloves

1/8 teaspoon of cardamom

1 cup pumpkin puree

3 Tablespoons of apple puree

1 Tablespoon of coconut oil, melted and cooled

4 Tablespoons of water

2 Tablespoons of maple syrup

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/4 cup walnuts, roughly chopped

Method –

1 – Preheat your oven to 175’C (350’F) and either grease and flour your loaf pan, or line that bad boy with baking/parchment paper and set aside.

2 – In a large bowl sift  flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and spices and whisk to combine.

3 – In a small bowl or jug stir together pumpkin puree, apple puree, coconut oil, vanilla, water  and maple syrup until combined.

4 – Add pumpkin mix to your flour/sugar mix and stir until well combined.

5 – Add in your chopped walnuts and stir to combine.

6 – Pour batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake for 40-50 mins until your loaf is golden brown and your entire house smells all kinds of delicious. A toothpick should have just a few crumbs attached when inserted into the centre.

7 – Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 mins before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

8 – Slice and serve

Enjoy xo

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Question of the day –

Have you dabbled in vegan cooking? Do you have a fave recipe you can share?