Choc Chunk Pumpkin Spice Loaf

Serves 14 (makes 1 loaf)

Time 1 hour

Ingredients

½ cup extra virgin olive oil 

3 eggs 

½ cup coconut sugar 

1 cup mashed pumpkin*

2 tsp vanilla extract 

3 tsp ground cinnamon 

¼ tsp ground nutmeg  

¼ tsp ground ginger 

2 tsp baking powder 

2 cups all-purpose plain flour  

120g dark chocolate, cut into chunks 

½ cup walnuts, roughly chopped 

Almond butter or ricotta, to serve

Method

Heat oven to 180°C and line a 12x14 cm (or similar) loaf tin with greaseproof paper.

Whisk extra virgin olive oil, eggs and coconut sugar in a mixing bowl. Add mashed pumpkin and vanilla and whisk until liquid in consistency. Sift spices, baking powder and flour into the wet ingredients and mix, then fold through the dark chocolate and walnuts, reserving a small handful to pop on the top of the loaf.

Pour batter into the loaf tin, scatter remaining chocolate over the top and bake for 40-50 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the loaf comes out clean.

Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes in the tin, then take out of the tin and cool completely. Enjoy with a dollop of nut butter or ricotta.

*300g piece raw pumpkin, then steamed or 250g cooked pumpkin will provide 1 cup mashed.