Saturday, October 13, 2012

Guilt-Free Pumpkin Chai and Bread

 
 Sadly, summer is gone and there's not much to like about this cold, rainy, blustery weather we're having in the Midwest today except for . . . Homemade Pumpkin Chai Tea and Pumpkin Bread!
I found this super easy recipe from Barnes & Noodles although mine is a fat free version as is the pumpkin bread.
To make the chai you will combine 1 1/2 c brewed, black tea (I made mine extra strong but you can brew it to your taste.) and 4 c milk (I used skim).  The original recipe calls for 4 T canned pumpkin -- I added about 1/2 c because I wanted more pumpkin flavor.  Add the pumpkin, 4 T sugar, 2 t vanilla and 1 t pumpkin pie spice.  I didn't have the ready-made spice so I made my own.
4 T cinnamon, 1 t ground nutmeg, 1 t ground ginger and 1 t ground allspice.
Simmer in your crockpot for 2 hours on low and then serve with fat free whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon and you have a totally guilt-free drink, perfect for a chilly day!
The pumpkin bread was adapted from a recipe I had and I just changed it up to make it healthier.  HONESTLY -- I could not be happier with the taste and texture -- trust me, you will NOT miss the extra fats!
Healthy Pumpkin Bread
2 c all purpose flour
1 1/2 c whole wheat flour
1 c sugar
2 t baking soda
1 t baking powder 
1 t lite salt
1 t cinnamon
1 t nutmeg
1 t allspice
1/2 t cloves
1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin
1 c skim milk
3/4 c egg substitute
1/4 c canola oil
1/2 c plain, fat free yogurt
1/2 c chopped walnuts (optional) 

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottoms only of two 9x5-inch loaf pans* with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix flours, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves until well blended. In medium bowl, mix pumpkin, milk, egg product and oil and yogurt until well blended.Add walnuts.  Stir into flour mixture until well blended. Spoon batter evenly into pans. Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Loosen sides of loaves from pans; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

*I used two, 8" round cake pans.  These only took 45 minutes to bake.  I like the presentation of the slices using round pans.


Linking to these parties this week . . .
The DIY Showoff   http://diyshowoff.com/
Marvelous Mondays http://www.jamscorner.com/
From My Front Porch to Yours http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/
Under the Table and Dreaming http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

14 comments:

  1. What a delightful snack for a cool autumn afternoon! I have never had tea made like this but it sounds good and I love the spices you've mixed! I can't eat sugar so it's always a challenge to bake. I usually just bake for my hubby! He can eat anything! lol

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  2. I'm in the Midwest (IL) and we are having raining and cooler weather, but I don't mind out here we need it so much. This snack looks so good and perfect for Autumn. Thanks for stopping by and liking my Autumn Hydrangea Wreath!

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  3. I'm in the Midwest (IL) and we are having raining and cooler weather, but I don't mind out here we need it so much. This snack looks so good and perfect for Autumn. Thanks for stopping by and liking my Autumn Hydrangea Wreath!

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  4. Oh they sound so good! Now I'm really wanting a snack!

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  5. I totally agree that the presentation with the round pans is beautiful, I am going to try that! In fact, I'm home with the sniffles today... wouldn't some pumpkin chai tea and bread make me feel so much better! I say YES! In fact, I'm feeling better all ready. I will be pinning these so others can share in the wonderfulness! Clicking to follow you so I don't miss another thing. xoxo Make it a great week, jules from blesid thrifter

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  6. This certainly looks yummy Lauren! The display is also great. I am a new Follower of your Blog. Enjoy the rest of your Monday.

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  7. I can only imagine how good your house smells when you get done with these recipes. I hope to enJOY these.

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  8. Love chai tea so this sounds like something I need to try! I agree with Joy- I bet your house smells wonderful with this combination!

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  9. Yummy! I can't wait til it starts cooling down here so that I can bake. It's been in the high 80's here...too hot for me to even think about baking :-)Thanks for sharing the recipes. Love chai tea and pumpkin bread.

    Hugs and Kisses,
    ❤Ana

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  10. Mmmm! Everything pumpkin at this time of year is delicious :))

    Paula
    lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com

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  11. OOOh my goodness, I am SOOO making the chai tea. I love chai tea, but the premade mixes have too many chemicals in them and I use Stevis to sweeten mine, and I avoid dairy, so I can adapt your recipe by switching the sugar to stevia and the milk to almond milk. Works for me!!

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  12. Yum, yum, yum...2 of my favorite fall treats :) Laurel

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