Every year around this time I am both sad and happy. Sad because as much as I hate to accept it, summer days and long nights are leaving us, and strolling in is my favorite but shortest time of the year, Fall! Fall is beautiful, with its beautiful colours, blue sunny skies but a crispness in the air, it brings the perfect temperature the world should be. Unfortunately its even shorter then summer.
One of the things I love about this time of year is the food that comes with it, really its the beginning of elastic waist pants season if you ask me. Thanksgiving brings turkey and the beginning of baking season, and in the fall months there is one go to that never fails in this house and that's my Spiced Pumpkin Bread. Amazing with a cold cup of milk or a warm cup of milk, tea, coffee, whatever comforts you, this bread will make you feel very cozy inside and unlike most baking, its fail proof. Hope you enjoy it.
Ingredients (makes 1 loaf)
1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp of baking soda
1 cup of pumpkin puree or you can use the real thing by scooping a pumpkin and blending the insides minus the seeds.
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup water
1/4 tsp of ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp of cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground all spice (your clove flavour is in here)
Optional - 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a loaf pan.
In a medium bowl sift the following ingredients: flour, salt, sugar and baking soda.
In a large bowl, combine the following ingredients: pumpkin, oil, eggs, water, nutmeg, cinnamon and all spice.
Add the flour mixture from the medium bowl, to the wet mixture in the large bowl. Stir until combined and if using nuts, add them now.
Pour batter into the loaf pan and bake until an inserted toothpick in the centre comes out clean, about 50 mins but of course with different ovens these days you will need to keep an eye on it.
Remove from pan and let cool for 10 minutes then serve. (we can never wait the 10 mins :)
**Note** If you are thinking of saving yourself a dirty bowl, don't skip the process where wet and dry ingredients are mixed separately and then put together. Baking is a science and for some reason this is important. I did this once and it just didn't come out the same. the texture was totally off and in this bread moist texture is the best part**
