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Recipe: Pumpkin Bread

2010 October 19
by Sarah

There are so many things to love about fall, but one of my favorite things of the season is pumpkin. It’s hard to top a homemade pumpkin pie or pumpkin roll (except with whipped cream, of course), but pumpkin bread is right up there too. Especially if you put chocolate in it!

The cast of characters (minus the eggs)

Last week I pulled out my trusty King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking cookbook that I love so much, and made a double batch of pumpkin bread: one full-sized loaf and one pan of petite loaves.

It smelled so good in the kitchen that even Mochi-dog thought she’d have a bite. Fortunately I realized what she was up to, and she only ate off one and a half petite loaf tops from the stovetop. I can’t recall her doing anything like that in the last 10 months we’ve had her so that just illustrates my point further: even she can’t resist the pull of pumpkin (or perhaps it was the chocolate?)

Also, my kitchen cabinets are apparently the color of pumpkin bread.

Pumpkin Bread
(from King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking)

Yield: One 9 x 5-inch loaf
Baking temperature: 350°F
Baking time: 1 hour

Pumpkin as an ingredient is a natural for a whole grain loaf. The moisture of the pumpkin is absorbed by the whole grain’s bran, making a moist and tender bread. The more pronounced flavor of the wheat berry combines in harmony with the spices.

2 cups whole wheat flour, traditional or white whole wheat
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup (1 stick, 4 ounces) unsalted butter
1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup canned pumpkin
3/4 cup chopped nuts
3/4 cup raisins, dried cranberries, or chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.

Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices in a medium bowl.

Cream together the butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, stopping to scrape the sides and bottom of the mixing bowl. Beat in the vanilla and pumpkin. Add the dry ingredients, mixing until evenly moistened. Stir in nuts and raisins, cranberries, or chips.

Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 1 hour. Remove the bread from the oven and place it on a rack to cool for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, run a table knife around the edges of the pan to make sure the bread isn’t sticking, turn it out of the pan, and place it on the rack to finish cooling completely before slicing.

*****

As for the options listed above, I used traditional whole wheat flour, pecans, and chocolate chips. That’s good stuff right there, let me tell you.


11 Responses
  1. October 19, 2010

    Have you ever baked with real pumpkin? There is no going back, I tell you.

    • October 19, 2010

      Yes, once, before I knew what I was doing in the kitchen. I should try it again though. It’s just so much work!

  2. October 19, 2010

    It was really easy when I did it. You just cut the pumpkin in 4 pieces, scrape it with a spoon, cook it in the oven with water. Then it falls off the skin, then you puree it, voila.

  3. October 19, 2010

    Hmmm… what do you use to puree it? Will a blender work or do you need a food processor? Pretty sure I used a potato masher when I did it before. THAT was arduous.

  4. October 19, 2010

    King Arthur Flour Whole Grains is my favorite cookbook! I use it all the time, and the rest of the time I print recipes off their website.

  5. October 20, 2010

    Your pumpkin bread looks beautiful! Love all the mini loaves too!

  6. October 21, 2010

    Pumpkin bread is one of the best things about fall. These look delicious. I’m getting ready to make a batch of pumpkin bread myself.

  7. October 22, 2010

    Ooh, how delicious! I’m obsessed with pumpkin, of course, and can’t dodge a good recipe. I haven’t tried my hand at baking any bread yet, but you’ve inspired me. Love the idea of “petite” loaves — less chance of uneaten food spoiling! I’m going to print this one for my recipe folder and hope to try it soon.

  8. October 23, 2010

    Oh gosh that looks so so SO good.

  9. October 25, 2010

    Oh yum, your so right, something just perfect about pumpkin, even your dog knows, lol! This looks delicious.

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