Spiced Pumpkin & Apple Loaf Cake

Oh my! I’m blaming Angie for this! I haven’t made too many things with pumpkin in, but all her talk of Halloween, pumpkin and apple led me to do some experimenting! 😛 What do we have? A moist, spiced loaf cake, studded with cinnamon apple chunks and bits of crunchy pecans! Wow! This is one cake you’re going to want on that Halloween table! Do you think I can get away with having this for dinner! 😛 Of course, I had to try it, but one slice led to another and now it’s calling me… ‘eat me’… ‘eat me’! This might just have become my new favourite cake! 😀

Pumpkin & apple loaf cake

Studded with apple chunks and pecans

The LifeDietHealth kitchen has been a bit busy this week – it’s half term and that means extra children… extra children to munch through the cinnamon sugar pretzels (photo on instagram), after finishing off the welsh cakes, scones and cheese straws! We’ve had home made sourdough pizza again (also on instagram), we’ve been experimenting with more sourdough bread – the latest one is full of mixed seeds and oats, and we’ve even made a batch of mince pies (and a delicious apple and mince slice)! There’s usually cooking going on, but not so much baking, but as fast as it’s made, it’s all disappearing, so something must be working well! 😀

Fluffy, moist sponge

just one bite… maybe!

This week I’m co-hosting Fiesta Friday again! 😀 Fiesta Friday is an online gathering which runs from around 1pm (UK time) Friday until about 1am (UK time) on Wednesday morning (Tuesday night). People bring along delicious foods, crafts, tips and advice and the idea is to check out new blogs, make new friends and have a load of fun! 😀 I’m co-hosting this week with Antonia @ Zoale.com and we’d love you to come over and join us! 😀

Check out the cake recipe and don’t forget that we love chatting with you, so don’t be afraid to write in the comments below! ?  Suggest a recipe you’d like to see, or topic you’d like covered, ask a question or just say hello! ? As always, remember that if you do have a go at making this or any of our recipes, please share your photos using the hashtag #LifeDietHealth or tag us @LifeDietHealth on instagram. If you’re not following us everywhere why not!? ?Have a look and see what we’re up to on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook! We’d love you to join us! Don’t forget to subscribe here as well so you get your free weekly recipe straight to your inbox!

Speak soon!

Laurena x

5 from 3 votes

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Spiced Pumpkin & Apple Loaf Cake

Spiced loaf cake with pumpkin, cinnamon apple chunks and crunchy pecan pieces. 

Keyword: cake, pumpkin

Serves: 1 loaf

Created by:: Laurena @LifeDietHealth

Gather

• 150 g pumpkin puree we used tinned 100% pumpkin
• 150 g mashed banana (approx 2 small)
• 30 g almond butter (ours was crunchy)
• 30 ml maple syrup
• 50 g coconut oil (ours was solid)
• 80 g coconut sugar
• 225 g plain flour (gluten free if required)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
• 3 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon mixed spice
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• pinch of salt
• 75 g apples (peeled and chopped into small chunks)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (for the apples)
• 25 g plain flour (for the apples)
• 1 teaspoon coconut sugar (for the apples)
• 25 g pecans (plus extra for topping if required)

Prepare

1. Mix the pumpkin with the banana, almond butter, maple syrup and oil until combined (small lumps are okay).

2. Add the sugar, flour, baking powder, bicarbonate, cinnamon, mixed spice, nutmeg and salt and combine until you have a semi-firm batter.

3. Put the apple chunks in a bowl, add the cinnamon, flour and sugar (for the apples). Toss to coat until everything is stuck to the apple pieces. Add 3/4 of these to the cake batter with the pecans and gently mix in. 

4. Spoon the batter into a lined or greased loaf tin. Shake to smooth, then add the remaining apples on the top and gently press in. Add extra pecans if using. Bake at Gas Mark 4 (350f / 180c) for 50-60 minutes. Cake is cooked when it is pulling away from the sides of the tin and golden brown. You can try the skewer test but if you hit apple it won't come out clean! 😛

5. Allow to cool in the tin for five minutes before turning out and allowing to cool properly. (I'm not going to say don't cut this while warm as it will only encourage you to do so 😛 )!

6. Enjoy!

Tips & Storage

• Store covered.
• Stays fresh for up to five days.
• Slice and eat, or add a spoonful of cream/yogurt.
• Try warming the cake and eating with custard.