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Pumpkin-hazelnut tea cake

April 21, 2026
Recipe

If pumpkins are in season, roast a small pie pumpkin and puree the flesh. Otherwise, use canned unsweetened pumpkin.

Serves 12

If pumpkins are in season, roast a small pie pumpkin and puree the flesh in a blender or food processor for this dessert bread. Otherwise, use canned unsweetened pumpkin. This cake makes a nice holiday gift.


Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly coat an 8-by-4-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on low speed, beat together the canola oil, pumpkin puree, honey, brown sugar and eggs until well blended.

In a small bowl, whisk together the flours, flaxseed, baking powder, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt. Add the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture and, using the electric mixer on medium speed, beat until well blended.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the hazelnuts evenly over the top and press down gently to lodge the nuts into the batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 50-55 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Turn the loaf out of the pan onto the rack and let cool completely. Cut into 12 slices to serve.


  • 3 tablespoons canola oil
  • 3/4 cup homemade or canned unsweetened pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 3 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup whole-wheat (whole-meal) flour
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose (plain) flour
  • 2 tablespoons flaxseed
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons chopped hazelnuts (filberts)

DASH Eating Plan Servings

Dairy foods (low-fat or fat-free) 1 Fats and oils Fruits 1 Grains and grain products Meats, poultry and fish Nuts, seeds and dry beans 1 Sweets Vegetables

Diabetes Meal Plan Choices

Fats Dairy foods (low-fat or fat-free) Fruits Meat and meat substitutes Milk and milk products Nonstarchy vegetables Starches Sweets, desserts and other carbohydrates

Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid Servings

1 Carbohydrates 1 Fats Fruits Protein and dairy 1 Sweets Vegetables

Nutritional analysis per serving

Calcium 172 Calories 28 g Total carbohydrate Cholesterol 2 g Dietary fiber 3 g Monounsaturated fat Potassium 4 g Protein 1 g Saturated fat 1 slice (12 slices per loaf) Serving size 80 mg Sodium 6 g Total fat