Pumpkin Bread

Now that it is officially September, I figured it was okay to start talking about pumpkin! At our house pumpkin is year round staple, but I get those that prefer to keep it in the seasonal pocket that it fits so lovely in. And then there are those that don't like pumpkin at all despite the time of year, now that I don't understand! I typically like to keep my posts short and sweet and just get straight to the recipe because I think you should treat people the way you want to be treated and I can tell you that when I am researching recipes I'm not into all the jibber jabber. However, I do want to offer some tips for making sweet breads like pumpkin and banana that you can apply to any recipe you make to help improve it. You don't have to do this to mine, of course, as I've already made the adjustments.

TIPS FOR OTHER RECIPIES:

• First add more pumpkin or banana than the recipe calls for. That is the secret to how I get mine so MOIST! If the recipe calls for 3 bananas, I'll use 5. Always add some extra! Same for pumpkin. Increase the amount adding up to 1 cup extra.

• Next tip is seasoning!! SPICE IT UP!! Increase the amount of cinnamon by double, at least. Same for the nutmeg and if its not part of the recipe, add it, Other seasoning to consider are allspice, clove, ground ginger, and cardamom. All of which are often found in my banana and pumpkin breads. Also, if the recipe doesn't already include it, make sure you have some vanilla extract in there!

Ingredients:

3 Cups of Pumpkin Puree ( 30 ounces)

4 Large eggs

1 1/2 Cups sugar

1 1/2 Cups brown sugar

1 Cup Oil or melted butter

1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

3 Cups Flour

2 Teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 Teaspoons salt

1 Tablespoon cinnamon

1 Teaspoon nutmeg

1 Teaspoon cardamom

Dashes of clove and allspice

Directions:

1. Combine pumpkin puree, eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla

2. Mix really well until combined

3. Add dry ingredients and seasoning

4. Mix just until incorporated

5. Divide batter into two prepared or lined bread pans

6. Bake at 350 degrees

7. Check at the 45 minute mark and bake until a toothpick placed in the center comes out clean.

8. Baking times will vary depending on bread pan sizes and ovens but will range between 45-60 minutes.

9. Enjoy!!