Pumpkin Peanut Butter Bread

Oh how I love this time of year!  The cool crisp air, the turning of the leaves and the picking of apples and pumpkins... all make autumn a great time of year.  With fall for me also comes the cravings for all things pumpkin.  Pumpkin pie, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin butter, pumpkin soup...  Let's start this season with a little pumpkin bread.

Oatmeal & Pumpkin Peanut Butter Protein Bread

2 Cups Ground Oats

1 Cup Wheat Germ

1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1 Teaspoon Baking Powder

Dash of Sea Salt

2 Scoops of Vanilla Creme Proto Whey (Optional*  I like to add a little protein where I can)

2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon

1/4 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg

1/4 Teaspoon Ground Allspice

1/4 Teaspoon Ground Ginger

2-3 Teaspoons of Stevia

1 Cup Organic Pumpkin (I used Trader Joe's brand)

1/2 Cup Nuts n More Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter

3 Egg Whites

1 1/2 Cups Natural Organic Apple Sauce

1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil

3 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract

Preheat Oven at 350 degrees.  Spray two bread pans with Pam then dust with flour.  In a medium bowl sift together oats, wheat germ, baking soda, baking powder, salt, protein powder and all spices.  In a large bowl mix together egg whites, apple sauce, coconut oil and vanilla extract.  Slowly add dry mix into large bowl.  Once completely mixed, pour evenly into two bread pans.  

I decided to play good girl/ bad girl with the finishing touches...

I sprinkled crushed walnuts and instant oats on top of both loaves, but I had to add some dark chocolate chips to the other ;-)

Bake for 25-30 minutes.  Use a toothpick to check for doneness or look for golden brown sides.