Enjoy a delicious and healthy breakfast with this easy cottage cheese pumpkin bread recipe, perfect for a simple meal.
This whole food pumpkin recipe is a great way to bake healthy and use fresh pumpkin. It’s designed for busy mornings or a wholesome snack, offering a fantastic blend of flavor and nutrition without complicated steps. Each serving provides about 12 grams of protein.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
- Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
High-Protein Cottage Cheese Pumpkin Bread
- Total Time: 65-75 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
Description
Enjoy a delicious and healthy breakfast or snack with this easy cottage cheese pumpkin bread recipe. It’s a great way to incorporate whole foods and protein into your diet without sacrificing taste or convenience, perfect for busy mornings or a wholesome treat.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. 1. Prepare Your Baking Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 F (175 C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides to easily lift the bread out later.
2. 2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt until well combined. Ensure there are no lumps of brown sugar.
3. 3. Mix Wet Ingredients Separately: In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, cottage cheese, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined. The cottage cheese curds should be mostly broken down, but small pieces are fine.
4. 4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few streaks of flour are okay, as overmixing can lead to a tough bread.
5. 5. Transfer to Loaf Pan: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. You can gently tap the pan on the counter a few times to release any air bubbles and ensure the top is level.
6. 6. Bake Until Golden: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. The bread is done when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs attached.
7. 7. Cool Before Slicing: Once baked, remove the loaf pan from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. This allows it to set properly. Then, carefully lift the bread out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang (if used) or invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Category: breakfast
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Protein: 12
Keywords: pumpkin bread, cottage cheese, high protein, healthy, breakfast, snack, whole wheat, easy, meal prep, fall
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This High-Protein Cottage Cheese Pumpkin Bread is a true game-changer for anyone looking to incorporate more whole foods and protein into their diet without sacrificing taste or convenience. It’s incredibly easy to make, making it ideal for beginner bakers, busy parents, or anyone who wants a healthy breakfast option without a lot of fuss. The recipe is designed to be family-friendly, appealing to both adults and children with its naturally sweet and comforting pumpkin flavor. You can serve it as a hearty breakfast to kickstart your day, a satisfying snack to curb those afternoon cravings, or even a lighter dessert. It’s particularly wonderful for meal prepping, as it stores well and can be enjoyed throughout the week. The use of cottage cheese adds a wonderful moistness and a significant protein boost, while fresh pumpkin ensures a rich, authentic flavor that’s hard to beat.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for this pumpkin bread is straightforward, focusing on wholesome items you likely already have or can easily find. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the ability to create something truly delicious and nutritious from basic components.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fresh pumpkin puree (or canned, 100% pumpkin)
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese (small curd, full-fat or low-fat)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For substitutions, if you don’t have whole wheat flour, you can use all-purpose flour for the entire 1.5 cups, though the whole wheat adds a nice nutty flavor and fiber. If fresh pumpkin isn’t available, canned 100% pumpkin puree works perfectly; just be sure it’s not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugars and spices. You can use Greek yogurt in place of cottage cheese for a similar protein boost and texture, though cottage cheese offers a unique moistness. Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking; a pinch of ground cloves or allspice can also enhance the pumpkin flavor.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for efficiency, allowing you to whip up a delicious loaf of pumpkin bread without spending hours in the kitchen.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes Baking Time: 50-60 minutes Total Time: 65-75 minutes
The hands-on time is minimal, primarily involving mixing the wet and dry ingredients. The majority of the time is spent letting the bread bake to golden perfection in your oven, filling your home with a wonderful aroma.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this high-protein cottage cheese pumpkin bread is a simple process. Follow these steps for a perfectly moist and flavorful loaf every time.
- Prepare Your Baking Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides to easily lift the bread out later.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt until well combined. Ensure there are no lumps of brown sugar.
- Mix Wet Ingredients Separately: In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, cottage cheese, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined. The cottage cheese curds should be mostly broken down, but small pieces are fine.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few streaks of flour are okay, as overmixing can lead to a tough bread.
- Transfer to Loaf Pan: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. You can gently tap the pan on the counter a few times to release any air bubbles and ensure the top is level.
- Bake Until Golden: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. The bread is done when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cool Before Slicing: Once baked, remove the loaf pan from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. This allows it to set properly. Then, carefully lift the bread out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang (if used) or invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This cottage cheese pumpkin bread is wonderfully versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a touch of extra flavor and texture, consider adding 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter along with the dry ingredients. Chocolate chips, especially dark chocolate, also make a delightful addition, particularly if you’re serving it to kids. For a more autumnal feel, a handful of dried cranberries or raisins can be folded in.
When it comes to serving, this bread is fantastic on its own, but a light spread of cream cheese, butter, or even a dollop of Greek yogurt can elevate it. For a simple breakfast, pair a slice with a piece of fruit and a cup of coffee or tea. If you’re hosting a brunch, arrange slices on a platter with a side of fresh berries. It also makes a great after-school snack for kids, providing a healthy boost of energy and protein. You can even toast slices lightly for a warm, comforting treat.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Knowing what to watch out for will help you achieve perfect results with your pumpkin bread.
- Overmixing the Batter: This is one of the most frequent mistakes in quick bread baking. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tough, dense loaf rather than a tender one. Mix only until the wet and dry ingredients are just combined, with no visible streaks of dry flour.
- Not Greasing the Pan Properly: If your loaf sticks to the pan, it can be frustrating. Always grease and flour your pan thoroughly, or use parchment paper, which makes removal effortless.
- Opening the Oven Door Too Early: Resist the urge to check on your bread too often, especially in the first 30-40 minutes of baking. Opening the door can cause the oven temperature to drop, leading to the bread sinking in the middle.
- Underbaking: An underbaked loaf will be gummy and wet in the center. Always use the toothpick test to ensure it’s fully cooked. If the top is browning too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
- Slicing While Hot: While tempting, slicing hot bread can cause it to crumble and lose its structure. Allow it to cool in the pan for a bit, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the internal structure to set, resulting in clean slices.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Proper storage is key to keeping your High-Protein Cottage Cheese Pumpkin Bread fresh and delicious for days. Once the bread has completely cooled, you can store it at room temperature in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 3-4 days. This helps maintain its moist texture.
If you want to make it ahead for longer periods, this pumpkin bread freezes beautifully. Once cooled, wrap the entire loaf or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then an additional layer of aluminum foil. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To enjoy, simply thaw slices at room temperature or warm them gently in a toaster oven or microwave. Freezing individual slices is particularly convenient for grab-and-go breakfasts or snacks.
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Q: Can I use canned pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree? A: No, pumpkin pie filling contains added sugars and spices, which will alter the flavor and sweetness of this recipe. Make sure to use 100% pure pumpkin puree.
Q: What kind of cottage cheese should I use? A: Small curd cottage cheese works best as it blends more easily into the batter. You can use full-fat or low-
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
