Panda Bear Bread
A moist, flavorful loaf combining pumpkin, applesauce, and warm spices, accented with dried apricots, dates, and walnuts, perfect for cozy gatherings or teatime treats.
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup shortening ⓘ
- 1 1/4 cup sugar ⓘ
- 1 1/4 cup brown sugar ⓘ
- 4 large eggs ⓘ
- 1 cup canned applesauce ⓘ
- 1 cup canned pumpkin ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour ⓘ
- 2 cup all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 2 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mace ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves ⓘ
- 1/3 cup chopped dried apricots ⓘ
- 1/3 cup chopped dates ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped walnuts ⓘ
Instructions
- Beat shortening, sugar, and brown sugar until creamy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then beat in canned applesauce and pumpkin.
- In a separate bowl, stir together whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, mace, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture, stirring until the flour is moist.
- Fold in chopped dried apricots, chopped dates, and chopped walnuts.
- Pour batter into two greased 5 x 9-inch loaf pans.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter texture, you can substitute half of the shortening with unsweetened applesauce. If you don’t have whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour works fine, though it may alter the flavor slightly. To enhance the spices, consider adding a pinch of ginger or cardamom. Ensure your eggs are at room temperature for better incorporation. This recipe can also be adapted to create variations like Pumpkin Bread or Banana Bread.
Serving Suggestions
Serve slices of Panda Bear Bread warm or at room temperature. It pairs beautifully with a smear of cream cheese or butter. For a delightful brunch, serve alongside fresh fruit, yogurt, or a cup of Spicy Broccoli Soup. This bread also makes a lovely gift when wrapped in decorative paper and shared during the holidays.
Storage & Reheating
Allow the bread to cool completely before storing. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. It can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, slice and freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Panda Bear Bread contains roughly 2095 calories, with 15g protein, 220g carbohydrates, and 135g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (76% of the Daily Value), calcium (55% of the Daily Value), and iron (50% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh pumpkin! Simply roast and puree your pumpkin until smooth. You'll need about 1 cup of fresh pumpkin puree, which will give a fresh flavor to your bread. Just be sure to drain any excess moisture to prevent the batter from becoming too wet.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! You can substitute both flours with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Additionally, ensure that all other ingredients, particularly baking powder and baking soda, are gluten-free. The texture may vary slightly, but it will still be delicious and moist.
How do I know when the bread is done baking?
To check if the bread is done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it’s ready. If there’s wet batter on the toothpick, allow the bread to bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, checking periodically.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).