We’ve had our fill of apple picking, we haven’t tested our pie baking skills quite yet, but we’re pros at cooking all the fixings for Thanksgiving. Still, Scooter wanted to whip up something extra tasty, yet healthy that would be fun for the kids to prepare this year. We turned to Vegan Divas, which just opened a shop on the UWS, for help. Their suggestion: Pumpkin Bread!

Now, we could take the easy route and trek Uptown and order the signature pumpkin dessert, made with real organic pumpkin, maple syrup and freshly ground spices ($24 per loaf), or we can make our own and spin it as family-time. Vegan Divas let us in on a secret and passed along their Organic Pumpkin Bread recipe, which is gluten-free, kosher, cholesterol-free and serves eight people. At only 112 calories per slice, parents can indulge and sugar-eager children won’t even question the healthier alternative.

So here is the company’s two-pan Spicy Pumpkin Bread recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2  ½ cups sucanat (pure dried sugar cane juice– a processed cane sugar substitution)
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 cups pumpkin puree
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2/3 cup coconut milk
• 2/3 cup shredded coconut
• ½ table spoon of ground cloves

Directions

1.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 8×4 inch loaf pans.

2.     Spread walnuts in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. Toast in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Set aside to cool.

3.     In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sucanat, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon. Add the pumpkin puree, oil, and coconut milk, and mix until all of the flour is absorbed. Fold in the shredded coconut and toasted walnuts. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.

4.     Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven, and cover loaves tightly with foil. Allow to steam for 10 minutes. Remove foil, and turn out onto a cooling rack. Tent loosely with the foil, and allow to cool completely.

5. Gobble it up before any of your greedy relatives even get the chance!

Just kidding… Share with your loved ones this Thanksgiving as your family’s baking skills earn a special place in their hearts.