A Raw Thanksgiving Throwback
Celebrate a cozy Thanksgiving with my nostalgic raw pumpkin bread and creamy pumpkin latte recipes—plant-based, naturally sweet, and perfect for your holiday dessert table.
A Raw Thanksgiving Throwback
Pumpkin Bread and Pumpkin Latte from My Raw-Riffic Days
Every Thanksgiving I think back to my Raw-Riffic Food days. My little dehydrator would be humming on the counter, the whole kitchen smelling like pumpkin, spice, and sweet dates while I tested recipes late into the night.
These two recipes were part of one of my original raw Thanksgiving menus. They are simple, cozy, and still feel very special to me. Today I mostly eat a flexitarian plant based diet, but these throwback recipes still hold a sweet place at my table.
So this year, I am bringing them back as the stars of a Thanksgiving dessert moment. Think warm pumpkin bread, a creamy pumpkin latte, and a quiet pause to give thanks for how far we have come in health and in life.
Raw Riffic Pumpkin Bread Loaf
A rich, moist pumpkin bread that stays completely raw while still tasting like a holiday dessert. It is naturally sweet, full of fiber, and perfect with a little coconut cream on top.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup almond meal
- 1/4 cup ground flax seed
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup date paste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin spice
- 1/2 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
- 1/4 cup coconut water, more or less for consistency
Directions
- Add the almond meal, ground flax, pumpkin puree, date paste, pumpkin spice, and salt to a food processor.
- Pulse a few times to combine.
- While the processor is running on low, slowly pour in the coconut water just until the mixture forms a moist, thick dough. It should hold together when pressed.
- Remove the dough from the processor and shape it into a dense loaf, or press it into silicone muffin molds for mini loaves.
- Place in a dehydrator at a low raw setting until the outside is set and slightly firm and the inside is still moist. This will usually be about 8 to 12 hours depending on your dehydrator and how thick the loaf is.
- Serve slightly warm.
Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy slices warm with a drizzle of sweetened coconut butter or a spoonful of whipped coconut cream.
- Add a light sprinkle of extra pumpkin spice or cinnamon on top before serving.
- Cut into small bite size cubes and serve on a pretty platter with toothpicks as part of a Thanksgiving dessert board.
- Pair with the pumpkin latte below for a fully themed pumpkin dessert moment.
Approximate Nutrition Per Slice
Based on 8 slices from one loaf
- Calories: about 125
- Protein: about 4 grams
- Fat: about 7 grams
- Carbohydrates: about 14 grams
- Fiber: about 4 grams
This is a naturally sweet, higher fiber dessert that still feels gentle and satisfying.
Why Your Body Loves This Pumpkin Bread
Almond meal
Rich in healthy fats, vitamin E, and magnesium. Supports heart health, skin health, and steady energy.
Flax seed
Packed with plant omega three fats and fiber. Supports digestion, hormone balance, and helps you feel full longer.
Pumpkin puree
Full of beta carotene and antioxidants that support eye health, immune function, and healthy aging. Also adds fiber and a naturally creamy texture.
Date paste
A whole food sweetener that brings in potassium, magnesium, and a little fiber, rather than empty sugar.
Pumpkin spice
Usually a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. These spices are warming and soothing and they bring natural antioxidant and digestive benefits.
Pink Himalayan salt
Adds trace minerals and brings all the flavors to life.
Coconut water
Helps with natural hydration and adds just a touch of gentle sweetness and electrolytes.
Creamy Pumpkin Latte
This is my cozy raw version of a seasonal pumpkin latte. It is creamy, slightly sweet, and can be enjoyed warm or icy depending on your mood.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup prepared almond milk
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons date paste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin spice
Directions
- Add the almond milk, pumpkin puree, date paste, and pumpkin spice to a high speed blender.
- Blend until smooth and frothy. Scrape down the sides if needed and blend again until it is silky.
Serving Suggestions
- For a warm latte, set the blended mixture over a bowl of hot water and stir until gently warmed. Keep it below a hot boil if you want to stay close to raw.
- For a frosty version, add a handful of ice cubes to the blender and blend again until thick and creamy.
- Top with a dusting of pumpkin spice or cinnamon and a small swirl of coconut cream.
- Serve in a clear glass mug with a slice of pumpkin bread for a beautiful holiday dessert pairing.
Approximate Nutrition Per Serving
Makes 1 serving
- Calories: about 90
- Protein: about 1 gram
- Fat: about 1 to 2 grams
- Carbohydrates: about 22 grams
- Fiber: about 3 grams
Most of the sweetness comes from whole dates and pumpkin rather than refined sugar.
Why Your Body Loves This Pumpkin Latte
Almond milk
A light base that adds a bit of vitamin E and healthy fats without heaviness.
Pumpkin puree
Adds body, fiber, and those beautiful orange carotenoids that support immune function and healthy skin.
Date paste
Provides steady, natural sweetness that is easier on the body than refined sugar. Dates also support mineral balance with potassium and magnesium.
Pumpkin spice
Warming spices can support digestion after a rich holiday meal and help the body feel calm and grounded.
A Little Thanksgiving Gratitude
Bringing these two recipes back feels like opening an old recipe notebook and finding favorite memories tucked between the pages. They remind me of where I started with raw food, and how that season shaped the way I eat today.
I am thankful for the lessons, for the healing, and for every one of you who keeps showing up to read, cook, and flex your plant power with me.
If you are planning your own healthier Thanksgiving meal, be sure to look around the blog for more recipes. You will find plenty of ideas for festive mains, fresh salads, cozy sides, dips, spreads, and more desserts that fit a mostly plant based flexitarian lifestyle.
You can use these two pumpkin recipes as the sweet finish to your holiday menu or as a gentle dessert option for anyone who wants something lighter but still full of flavor.
From my little raw throwback kitchen to yours, I wish you a peaceful, delicious, and thankful Thanksgiving.
Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or lifestyle, especially if you have existing conditions or take medication.
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