Persimmon Bread (Gluten-Free)

This gluten-free sweet bread is a terrifically satisfying baked treat. Unlike many gluten-free desserts that are a “decent substitute” for treats made with wheat, this moist and light persimmon bread is a strong contender matched against any wheat bread (with no explanations or excuses needed). Use soft-ripe persimmons (such as the Hachiya) rather than crunchy persimmons (such as the Fuyu). The persimmons must be very ripe and squishy (so that they are at their sweetest). Remember that the soft-ripe style of persimmons are astringent until they become ripe. Even overly ripe persimmons work well for this bread. You can use this recipe for making persimmon muffins too, just note the reduced baking time. 

Ingredients

2 c. soft-ripe persimmons (approximately 6 persimmons)

4 eggs

½ c. coconut oil
½ c. melted butter

1 c. honey

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. vanilla

1½  c. teff flour

2 c. brown rice flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tbsp. orange peel

½ tsp. salt

1½ tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. nutmeg

¼ tsp. allspice

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°.

Peel the skin off the persimmons. Swirl the persimmon meat in the blender until smooth. Beat the eggs in a small bowl. Melt the butter. Combine the oil, butter, and honey in a large mixing bowl. Add the swirled persimmons, beaten eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla.

In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients and blend them together well.

Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir them together (scraping the sides and bottom of the mixing bowl) until they are fully blended. The mixture will remain a little lumpy because of the orange peel, but try mix in all “bubbles” of flour, without over-mixing (since over-mixing can cause the batter to become tough and make the bread heavier.

Divide the batter into 2 oblong standard-sized bread-baking dishes. Bake the persimmon bread for one hour at 350°. Bake muffins (in muffin tins) for 30 minutes at 350°. Bread or muffins are done when a knife inserted comes out clean.

You may wish to get creative by adding ½ c. of walnuts, pecans, chocolate chips, chopped dates, and/or crystallized ginger chunks to this recipe. Personally, I love this bread just plain with butter, soft goat cheese, or cream cheese spread.

Eat well, be well, live deliciously!