Pumpkin Spice Protein Bread

Indulge in the flavors of the season with a protein-packed twist.

The INFINIT Nutrition Test Kitchen has been at it again, and this time we’ve changed the game on a classic holiday baking staple: Pumpkin bread.

Made with INFINIT’s Limited Edition, seasonal Pumpkin Spice MUD, real pumpkin, and a touch of cinnamon, this protein-packed quick bread is sure to impress your friends and family at your Thanksgiving feast.

No need to be a master baker. This easy, delicious and nutritious recipe can be whipped up with just a handful of ingredients that you can find just about anywhere this time of year.

Perks to Protein

No matter how much (or little) you know about nutrition, everyone knows protein is an important part of recovery and overall health.

For athletes, this recipe is a perfect way to treat yourself while also making sure you are keeping up with your protein intake for muscle recovery and maintenance over the holidays.

For your not-so-active family members, protein can serve as a way to help stabilize blood sugar, and might even help prevent the post-meal crash n’ nap.

Not to mention, eating protein helps to reduce your appetite and keep your hunger in check. So you might not be as tempted to go back for seconds (or thirds), and over-indulge this holiday season.

Plus, I don’t know about you, but my family won’t try anything “healthy” so it’s fun to surprise them and say that it has protein powder in it.

Pros to Pumpkin

It seems every party my family throws has desserts looking to cure my sweet tooth no matter how hard I try to get away from them!

Our Pumpkin Spice Bread will both curve your sweet tooth and give you some health benefits. Did you know that pumpkin is low in calories and high in fiber? This is great because that means it will help you to feel fuller for a longer period of time.

Pumpkin also lowers glucose levels in the blood and increases the body’s insulin production, leading scientists to believe it can play a role in treating diabetes.

Dietitian INFINITip: Did you know that INFINIT's seasonal Pumpkin Spice MUD is actually made with REAL pumpkin? Unlike so many artificially flavored and freaky orange-dyed foods and drinks you find this time of year, Pumpkin Spice MUD get’s it’s pumpkin flavor and orange color from... PUMPKIN! (Shocking, we know.)

Pumpkin Spice Mud Protein Bread

Serves 12  | Serving Size = 1 slice

146 calories | 21g carbs | 5g Fat | 5g Protein

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups pumpkin, canned

5 T butter, melted

⅔ cup of INFINIT Pumpkin Spice MUD (or two scoops)

¼ cup brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 t. baking soda

¼ t. salt

1 t. vanilla extract

1 t. cinnamon

1 ¾ cups of all-purpose flour

½ cup chocolate chips (optional)

INFINITip: Adding chocolate chips is perfect for those who don’t love a ton of pumpkin flavor or if you’re looking to up it to dessert-worthy status.

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
• Grease a 9 x 5 bread loaf pan.
• In a large bowl, beat together the pumpkin, butter, Pumpkin Spice Mud, sugar, brown sugar, and eggs. Beat well until combined.
• Add in baking soda, salt, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Beat well until combined.
• Beat in flour until just combined.
• Fold in chocolate chips (optional).
• Transfer to the greased bread loaf pan.
• Bake for 45 minutes, until golden brown on the surface. Transfer to a wire rack for cooling.
• Serve & Enjoy!
  
  

INFINITip: Add chia seeds for an extra nutritional punch (¼ cup will do the trick!)

About the Author

Ashley Mulkern, is INFINIT's Sponsorship Director and Event Coordinator. Ashley recently graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2018 with her Bachelors Degree in Dietetics and plans to graduate with her Masters of Nutritional Sciences in 2020. When she's not in the office she can be found kickboxing or baking something yummy!