This Pumpkin Coconut Bread is the perfect mixture of fall and the tropics. A delicious, moist pumpkin bread is filled with coconut flavor from sweetened coconut as well as a secret coconut ingredient.
We love pumpkin baked goods! For more favorites, try these Pumpkin Muffins with Chocolate Chips or these Pumpkin Snickerdoodles.
I have been taught that you should never judge a book by it’s cover. And really, I believe this is true – especially in the case of this humble looking quick bread. It may look like nothing special from the outside, but once you taste it, you’ll know it’s not a boring bread.
Pumpkin recipes have been hitting the web like crazy lately, and I’m bringing you one more to add to your arsenal of fall and holiday treats – this Pumpkin Coconut Bread.
I have to be honest and say that before I chose this family cookbook as the Cookbook of the Month for October, I already had this recipe chosen out to make. I love pumpkin. (Especially pumpkin bread!) I love coconut. But I don’t think I’d ever had them together! But this bread combines them beautifully. Neither flavor overtakes the other, but they combine in harmony.
So whether or not you are feeling the chill of fall yet, these will really get you in the mood!
Ingredients
- Flour: You need all-purpose flour for this recipe.
- Sugar: I just use regular granulated sugar.
- Coconut: I have only made this recipe with sweetened, shredded coconut. Unsweetened coconut will also work if you want to cut back on the sweetness.
- Pudding Mix: This recipe comes from an old family cookbook, and has always used cook and serve pudding mix. I know that instant pudding mix is more readily available, but I have not tested this recipe using it.
- Spices: For this bread, I use a combination of cinnamon and nutmeg. You could also substitute in 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice.
- Baking Soda: This will give the bread it’s lift and texture.
- Salt: Salt balances the flavors.
- Oil: I like to use vegetable oil, but any neutral oil will work.
- Eggs: Whisk the eggs lightly to break them up before adding them to the batter to make sure the bread is not over mixed.
- Pumpkin: Canned pumpkin puree is the most consistent, but you can use homemade pumpkin puree if you drain it first.
How to Make Pumpkin Coconut Bread
- PREP: Grease 2 9×5-inch loaf pans. I also like to line them with parchment paper so that it’s easy to remove from the pans.
- MIX: Mix the dry ingredients together, then make a well in the center and add the wet ingredients. Mix everything just until combined.
- BAKE: Transfer the batter to the loaf pans and bake until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the loaves cool slightly before removing from the pans.
Tips and Tricks
We love making this as mini loaves so we can give some away. It does make a lot – we got 16 mini loaves from the recipe. The amount will depend on the size of the mini loaf pan you have.
You want to make sure the bread is not overbaked or underbaked. If it is over baked, it will be dry, but underbaking will cause the bread to sink in the middle. Test it for doneness with a toothpick or skewer.
The cooled bread needs to be stored at room temperature. I will usually store it in an airtight container, but it can also be tightly wrapped with plastic wrap.
More Pumpkin Recipes
Pumpkin Pancakes
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Pumpkin Roll
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
Pumpkin Coconut Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup sweetened coconut
- 2 3 oz packages coconut pudding (not instant)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/3 cups vegetable oil
- 5 eggs beaten
- 1 can 15 oz pumpkin
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Grease 2 9x5-inch loaf pans.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, coconut, pudding mixes, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt. Make a well in the center, and add the vegetable oil, eggs and pumpkin. Mix just until combined, and pour evenly into the loaf pans.
- Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cool for 5-10 minutes, then turn out to cool completely.
Shauna says
I have been looking for this recipe for 15 years! This is the tastiest gift you could give yourself for autumn! THANK YOU!
Jennifer says
Can I substitute the vegetable oil for coconut oil and would it be the same amounts?
Deborah says
I think it should work. I would use the same amount of coconut oil as vegetable oil, but melt it before adding.
Kathy says
Just made this. I only had 8.5 x 4.5 pans or 9.5 x 5.5 pans. I think it would have been better to have used the larger. Theses had to bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Another time I will use parchment paper, as even though I greased the pans well, some still stuck to the bottom. I also used one 6 serving of the pudding as it was all I could get here. We enjoyed the flavour! Another time I may use muffin pans to get more of the “edges”
lauryn says
Hi, I love pumpkin and I love coconut but I do not have any store i know of around me that sells coconut pudding mix. Is that ingredient promient or can It be replaced with coconut milk maybe?
Deborah says
I don’t think coconut milk will work, as the pudding mix is a powder and the milk is a liquid. If you can’t find the mix, here is a pumpkin coconut bread that I found online that might work for you: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pumpkin-coconut-bread/. I haven’t tried it, but it has good reviews. Good luck!
barb says
I used instant pudding and it was fine.Very tasty
barbara delprete says
Why no instant pudding. I finally found coconut pudding but they only carry instant.
Deborah says
The old family recipe specified to use cook and serve, but I’m guessing you won’t have a problem if you use instant. I know the ingredients are different between the two, but I’ll guess that instant would be fine.
Rachel @ Bakerita says
This sounds amazing!! Love to pumpkin-coconut combination, and it looks so delicious.
Joanne @ Fifteen Spatula says
Holy cow, that is some moist looking pumpkin bread!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Delightful 🙂 I love this recipe! Coconut and pumpkin sounds like an amazing combination
Susan@LunaCafe says
Ohhh… this looks incredibly moist and delicious. I wish I could reach in a grab a slice right now. 🙂
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
This looks fabulous!! I need to get on this whole coconut and pumpkin thing!
Beth says
I made this bread last night so it could flavor through for today. It's so delicious, I love pumpkin!
kikiverde says
I love pumpkin and I love coconut. I can imagine that they’d go great together.
Pearlsofeast says
What a great combo,I love the ingredients.Will try out soon.Thanks
AnticiPlate says
These flavor combinations look very interesting! I will DEFINITELY book mark this and give it a try.
Rosie says
Love these made in mini loave pans and don’t they look fantastic and so cute 🙂
Rosie x
Monet says
I agree, that little loaf with the ribbon is adorable! I love pumpkin and coconut, but I never thought of combining the two–it sounds intriguing! This recipe sounds like one that would stand out a lot from all the other typical fall recipes. I might have to give this one a try soon!
Kevin says
Pumpkin and coconut sounds like a nice combo for a quick bread.
Maria says
Deb these mini loaves look so cute and those flavours must be wonderful!!
Maria
x
Maris says
I would never have thought of combining coconut with pumpkin! I bet the bread turned out very moist.
kamailesfood says
Interesting take on Pumpkin Bread. I don’t think I’ve ever had the pumpkin coconut combo before.
Birdie says
This bread looks really good. Your pictures are so appetizing!
jen says
wow, these look great, so yummy looking!
Deborah says
Anon – unfortunately, it is a family cookbook from the 80s, so it’s not available for purchase. I usually only feature cookbooks that you can buy for the Cookbook of the Month, but I decided to change it up a little this month!
Anonymous says
Hi Deborah
Where did you purchase the cookbook of the month, Goodman’s Galloping Gourmet.
Patricia Scarpin says
Deb, your photos are getting more and more gorgeous! And I have never baked with pumpkin, can you believe it? You are such an inspiration!
Prudy says
Pretty little picture! I’ve made loads of pumpkin bread but never ever with coconut. Gotta try it!
Candy says
I think it’s perfect! Love the coconut in it.
Katie says
They are so cute. You are onto a winner here. Great flavour combo
Paula says
Oooh, pumpkin and coconut sounds like a great combo. I love your photo; that ribbon is darling on that mini loaf. How neat that you and your hubby like the edges! I like mini loaves because the slices tend to hold together better, if that makes sense. YUM!
glamah16 says
I would never have thought of pairing those two, but why not!Almost a Caribbean influence.
How's it Taste? says
I have no doubt this is fantastic, as I’ve been making pumpkin pie with coconut milk for years and it is sooooo good! (Especially if you use fresh pumpkin and cook it in the oven with the coconut milk!) Mmmmmmm! : D
Indigo says
Pumpkin is much less of a big deal here in England; we carve them out for Halloween and most people just throw away the flesh. It’s only since blogging that I’ve realised you can cook it like squash or bake it like carrot cake, and it’s a revelation XD. This looks delicious!
Kelly-Jane says
That looks lovely, and so cute with your pretty ribbon 🙂
Peabody says
I have often thought about if coconut and pumpkin would go. I will have to try it out.
Jenny says
Cute pics! The bread looks and sounds so yummy! I’m all about the mini loaves too.
Andrea says
I agree 100% with the mini loaf love. Crust is the best and minis = more crust. My fiance doesn’t agree, so when a recipe makes two loaves, I do one of them in the mini pan. I’ve never had pumpkin and coconut together, but it’s a combination I’ve seen before. These look great! I love pumpkin bread, uuummm
Emiline says
I’ve been dying to bake with pumpkin!
The loaves look great!
Apples and Butter says
That looks delicious. I can’t wait to start cooking with pumpkin this fall!
Grace says
me likey! i’m not especially keen on pumpkin flavor, but buddy, i love me some coconut! i think the balance would be terrific. 🙂
Mary says
I love pumpkin bread and yours looks delicious! I hope coconut pudding mix is easy to find ’cause I’d like to make it too!
noble pig says
Oh how yummy, I love the ribbon…love it.
Elle says
Ah, the pudding is the key ingredient I’ll bet…a nice moist pumpkin bread with coconut…yummy! Love your photo with the ribbons.
Laurie says
This bread looks so delicious! I love pumpkin and coconut so the combination sounds divine.
Esi says
Ok, this bread and that chicken below have me itching to cook right now. Too bad I am away from my kitchen, but they both look great!
Sylvie says
There can never be too many good pumpkin recipes on the net! Thanks for sharing yours.
Mandy says
This is two of my favorite things! Thanks for posting, a must for fall.
Steph says
These little loafs look so yummy! Hey I heard you had lunch with Kelsey Nixon yesterday, I did too, isn’t she the cutest little thing? I’m so excited!
kimberleyblue says
this is great! i’ve been looking for some pumpkin baked goods that are a bit different – this one definitely fits the bill!
and sounds really good.
Deborah says
Sharon,
You should be able to find it at most grocery stores. I just bought the Jello brand – but I believe it was coconut cream flavored.
Sharon says
I’ve never thought of the pumpkin – coconut combination, but it sounds fabulous! Where did you find the coconut pudding mix?
Jamie @ Baldwin Bungalow says
Oh, yum. It’s too bad my husband doesn’t like coconut. I LOVE coconut, although right at this moment I’m out of it. I bought canned pumpkin at Costco so I need to use it up!
Fav thing to do with coconut:
Mix it in with chocolate ice cream. Add chocolate chips and walnuts and mix even more. YUM!
Patsyk says
Those look so cute… but, we are not big fans of coconut in our house… so, I’ll have to stick to a more traditionl recipe for now. 🙂
Marisa says
I can’t wait to try this recipe! I was just telling my husband last night that I love coconut and want to cook with it more as I was drooling over a coconut shrimp recipe. So what is a better pairing than coconut and pumpkin (also a favorite)!
Megan says
Oohhh, I’m with you! I love pumpkin and coconut but would of never thought to put the two together. I always make pumpkin bead and I’ll try this one this year. Love the ribbon. It’s like we untied a present! :0
Erin says
This looks delicious! I would have never thought to pair pumpkin and coconut together.
The Food Librarian says
So cute! I love pumpkin too. The little ribbon is lovely!
Barbara Bakes says
Your bread looks so moist and tasty.
RecipeGirl says
Mmmmm. And what a GREAT idea to make those in mini loaves for those of us edge lovers!
Aggie says
This looks fantastic. I may have to use this recipe for the loaves I usually make for gifts! Yum!
Deborah says
Katerina,
This makes 2 regular sized loaves. I will go back and put that on the recipe so there isn’t any confusion!
Katerina says
I also love coconut and pumpkin. Would this recipe make one or two regular sized loaves?
kat says
I'm loving all the pumpkin recipes right now & I'm with you on the mini loaves…
Mary says
I love new plays on old recipes; I never would have thought of combining coconut with pumpkin! These look and sound wonderful.
Jingle says
Oh, that looks so cute with that little dotted ribbon tied around it!