Pumpkin Bread

It's that time of year when everyone is dusting off their favorite sweaters and drinking their seasonal lattes to convince themselves they're really okay with the fact that summer is over. So what better way to use our freshly made pumpkin puree (or canned if you must)  than to make pumpkin bread?

A couple of things: This bread is awesome. Seriously. It's great on it's own, but, at least in my opinion, is even better when you add your favorite fruits and nuts. There are so many possibilities that I'll just leave a list of options. Please comment with your suggestions!

This will make 2 loaves in 8" X 4" or 9" X 5" but would also make great mini loaves for giving, just adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Ingredients:

1 3/4 C Pumpkin Puree (15 oz canned)

4 Eggs

1/2 C Oil

1/2 C Applesauce

2/3 C Water

1 Tsp. Vanilla

1 C Brown Sugar
1 1/2 C Sugar
3 1/2 C Flour
2 Tsp. Baking Soda

1 1/2 Tsp. Salt

1 Tsp. Ground Cinnamon

1 Tsp. Ground Nutmeg

1/2 Tsp. Ground Cloves

1/2 Tsp. Ground Ginger

Process:

Preheat the oven to 350(F)

In a large bowl mix the pumpkin, eggs, oil, applesauce, water, and vanilla.

In another bowl mix the brown sugar, sugar, flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.

Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.

Grease the pans.

- If you like give the bottom of the pan a little dusting with cinnamon and sugar to liven up that bottom crust.

Bake for 70 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Check progress at 50 minutes at which time you might want to cover the loaves with foil so they top doesn't get too dark.

Remove from oven and allow to cool.

When cool, wrap in plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator overnight. This will ensure the bread is nice and moist. I know you don't want to, I know. So cut yourself a slice then hide it in the back of the fridge until morning. Quit arguing with me, do it.

With this batch I made one Cranberry-Walnut Pumpkin loaf  and one plain Pumpkin Loaf. Both of them were great! 

Some add-ins that I think would be awesome:

Walnuts

Raisins

Dried Cranberries

Chocolate Chips

Pistachios

3-4 Tbsp. Jack Daniels or Rum