The Pumpkin Coconut Bread Experiment

October 7, 2008

Last night presented the perfect opportunity for some experimentation. I was in the mood to bake and I had two main ingredients to use up – puree from a pumpkin I roasted over the weekend and light coconut milk left over from vegetable curry recipe.


I’d made a pumpkin bread recipe in the past that used a package of coconut pudding mix, but considering my issue with that these days I thought I’d try to get the flavor with real ingredients.

I modified some recipes I have for pumpkin bread, adding and eliminating a few ingredients. I also adjusted the amount because I only wanted one loaf.

I was very pleased with how it turned out. The coconut flavor is subtle, but it keeps the bread incredibly moist. Next time I might try it with some whole wheat flour mixed in for the health benefit.

We can get finely ground coconut around here and I think it is best for this recipe because it only adds a little texture without making it chewy. If you can only find flaked, try chopping it up before adding it to the batter.

Pumpkin Coconut Bread

Makes 1 loaf (9.25×5.25×2.75 in)

8oz of fresh pumpkin, roasted, strained and pureed (or ½ of a 15oz can)
2 eggs
½ cup vegetable oil (I used soy)
½ cup light coconut milk
1 ½ cups white sugar
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
¾ tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
½ cup unsweetened flake coconut, chopped until very fine

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour loaf pan.
In a mixer combine pumpkin, eggs, oil and coconut milk. Add sugar and mix until smooth. In a separate bowl combine remaining ingredients. Stir into pumpkin mixture until combined. Pour into loaf pan and bake about 50 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cool 10 to 15 minutes and remove from pan. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

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  • Erica October 7, 2008 at 7:01 am

    Looks gorgeous! A combo I had never thought of! Yum Yum fall foods 🙂

  • Meg October 7, 2008 at 7:05 am

    Looks yummy! Love the use of coconut milk!!

  • VeggieGirl October 7, 2008 at 7:51 am

    Pumpkin & coconut?? LOVE IT!! :0)

  • cathy October 7, 2008 at 8:37 am

    That does look good. I’m not a big fan of pumpkin, but I wonder if I could substitute some other winter squash for the pumpkin. Love the use of coconut milk too!

  • Zesty Cook October 7, 2008 at 9:06 am

    WOW – Nice experiment… the combo of pumpkin and coconut milk is great… Can’t wait to try it… Love your blog. I have added you to my daily reads…. great stuff

  • Mark Salinas October 7, 2008 at 10:49 am

    Ok…we shall give it a try! Thank you! 😉

  • Lori October 8, 2008 at 3:38 am

    So glad it looks good to everyone!

    cathy – I think butternut or acorn squash would probably work well if you like those.

    zesty cook – Thanks! I plan to start reading your blog as well. I really enjoy it.

  • Kevin October 9, 2008 at 8:31 pm

    I like the sound of coconut in a pumpkin bread.

  • Lori October 10, 2008 at 3:20 am

    Kevin – It really does go well together!

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