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Insanely delicious Chocolate Butternut Squash Bread! Made with whole grains and lightly sweetened, this protein packed bread is a chocolate lover’s dream. You won’t even know it has butternut squash or is good for you!
Just letting you know, this Chocolate Butternut Squash Bread recipe was originally published January 2016. I retested, rephotographed and updated the content for you.
One of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn in my 80 pound weight loss journey is balancing treats and unhealthy food in my diet. For a long time, I was fearful of incorporating these foods in my diet fearing I would go back to my old habits and gain the weight back. It took a really really long time… as in years before I trusted myself around these foods.
I know people don’t want to hear this, but it just takes time to trust. That means being patient with yourself and allowing time to heal your relationship with food. It’s much like real relationships with people. Some take more time to heal from than others.
I coach my weight loss clients on this frequently because being all or nothing with food never works.
I stress the importance of allowing yourself flexibility to not eat perfectly healthy. Is not healthy to restrict what you eat and never allow yourself to eat things that has fewer nutrients. It promotes a mindset of restriction which leads to binging. Chronic dieting promotes this behavior and I see it all the time with my clients.
Finding balance takes time and patience, and know people don’t want to hear that. We live in a world where everyone wants everything fast. Technology has turned us into a culture of wanting everything fast with immediate results.
Our bodies don’t work like the internet. You can’t Amazon prime your dream body!
So I want you to give yourself a break and bake. Yes! I’m giving you a license to bake. Baking soothes the soul and I know for a fact this chocolate squash bread will take your mind off anything and make you enjoy treats again.
Want to know the best part? This insanely delicious squash bread is healthier. Made with pureed butternut squash, applesauce, yogurt and whole grains, this cake-like flourless squash bread oozes of delicious chocolate so grab a a glass of milk or coffee and serve yourself a slice!
Dark Chocolate Butternut Squash Bread
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butternut squash puree, in a can or make your own by roasting squash then blending
- 2 egg whites
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/3 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar, or sugar of choice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract, or vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk, or milk of choice
- 1 1/3 cup Gluten Free oat flour, or regular oat flour
- 2/3 cup cacao powder, or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips, dairy free
Instructions
- Preheat oven 350 F. Prepare a bread pan by spraying with nonstick cooking spray.
- Using a standing mixer or bowl for hand mixer, add applesauce, Greek yogurt and coconut oil mix to combine smooth.
- Continue to combine, then mix in sugar, eggs and almond milk mix until fluffy.
- Add butternut squash, almond extract, sea salt, baking soda, baking powder and cocoa powder. Mix to combine.
- Slowly add the oat flour to the batter while continuing to mix. Do not over mix.
- Add mini chips to the batter and fold in by hand reserving a few chips to sprinkle on top when finished. Transfer batter to prepared bread pan.
- Bake at 350 F 45-50 minutes until a toothpick can be removed clean from the center.
- Remove from the oven and cool in the pan 1 hour before slicing and serving.
Notes
- My Amazon shop has more products similar to those used for this recipe and that I recommend to my weight loss clients.
- If you enjoy this recipe, check out my cookbook for more delicious recipes!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love when vegetables get mixed into delicious desserts and breads. I just put an entire zucchini in w my green smoothie today. It still tastes delicious bc I have chocolate protein powder and blueberries in the mix 🙂
Now that is genius!
Curve lemons are the worst! I’ve been feeling a little out of balance myself lately. I’m finishing my holistic nutrition program soon enough and trying to decide whether I’m looking for a traditional job or starting my own client practice. I love the flexibility of my own practice but the financial reality is a whole other thing… We’ll see!
I thought you were going to do a masters program? Either way, I can’t wait to see what you do because I’m sure it will be awesome and you will be my inspiration!
What a genius idea adding butternut squash! This looks delicious!
Thanks Kate!
Chocolate and veggies, yep sounds odd but oh so right! This looks delicious!
I’m one to tends to question things and take on a little more than I should. I don’t see it that way until I realize I am on the go all the time and have no down time or me time. I said I would take more time for myself but somehow turned me time to volunteering at the school more, like 4 times as much as I was. I turn to baking as well and my kitchen but tend to overthink things. I hope I didn’t miss it but I I’m not seeing your exciting news from last week, just remember things always have a way of working out and while I also have a problem when my path takes an unexpected turn I’m trying to embrace it. It came to me reading a book with A, that the fairies are in the woods not on the path and that is where I will find the most exciting things. Hope that makes sense. Happy Meatless Monday!
It does make sense. Maybe I need to be reading more children’s books. They offer so much wisdom.
I made a similar chocolate bread a little while ago and it was one of my favorite snacks or breakfast! There’s nothing better than eating chocolate and having it be healthy too:)
So true!
This is so awesome! I’ve never even thought to use squash in a sweet recipe really! This looks delicious!
Oh my dear, you so need to try it because it’s insanely delicious!
Squash and chocolate? Who would have thought?? Looks fabulous and creative. Thanks for linking up with us today. I have a new co host hope you check out her blog too she rocks
I’ve been a follower of Sarah’s blog long before she started cohosting. Thanks!
You had me at dark chocolate!!! Love this!
And yes, striking the right balance is a constant goal of mine, and one that I always struggle with. Sometimes I feel completely inundated, while other times I think I have it (sort of) under control. Hang in there and trust your instinct — it’s done well for you so far!
I think that feeling comes with the blogging turf, don’t you? It has so many highs & lows.
You know exactly what I am going to say to this recipe, and that is HELLLLLL YAAAASSSSSSS. Pinning and I might just eat my computer.
I’m sure you already know this, but there is a psychological rule that states that questioning something only makes us more dedicated to it, in the end. You have to justify your reasons to yourself, and confirm and commit to why you chose it in the first place. So regardless of what it is that you end up deciding, you will be firmly committed. And that means that you will KICK ASS.
Would give you some bread, but you have to live so far away! You know that is great advice. I never thought about it that way. It’s so easy to stay where it feels safe and you know what to expect. Still I AM SCARED!
There is always a goal I’m questioning, or conflicted about and I think when we spread ourselves thin like that it’s impossible NOT to question something! I tried to keep my goals reasonable but I still have a lot on my plate, and there are definitely some days I want it all to away because it’s overwhelming.
I like to feel like I’m accomplishing things. Maybe I need to break down my goals so I feel like I am accomplishing something vs. working towards something forever.