The BEST Pumpkin Bread! *Holiday Bread Spread Series*

 

So my husband and I were discussing the holidays the other day and we both decided it was the perfect time to start some holiday baking.  My husband thought a fun idea would be to do a Holiday Bread Spread featuring our favorite holiday bread baking!

 

Of course, who am I to deny my husband some cooking fun?  So we had to decide the first bread to feature: our winner - Pumpkin Bread!

 

 

 Kicking it off never felt so great, (and our kitchen has never smelled better)!  There is nothing as good as the smell of fresh baked bread.  Comforting, enticing, warm and delicious.

 

Baking bread is a fun tradition for my husband and I and we enjoy having fun experimenting with different recipes.  Not only do we enjoy the bread we make but we love SHARING it with the people we love.  Creating memories for others is something we enjoy doing and baking a neighbor, loved one or friend a great holiday bread is such a great thing to do. 

 

 

Baking may seem a little intimidating to some .. but honestly it's all about following a recipe.  When I cook I will estimate measurements.  When it comes to baking, you really need to follow the recipe.  It's a more exact art form - trust me, the results are worth the measurements.

 

For the BEST pumpkin bread this is what you are going to need:

 

2 c Sugar

3 c Flour

1 c Canola Oil

4 eggs

16 oz canned Pumpkin (not pie filling)

3/4 c Water

2 tsp. Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Salt

2 tsp Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Nutmeg

1/2 tsp Allspice

1/2 tsp Cloves

 

Start off by pre-heating your oven to 350 degrees.  Next, spray your loaf pan with non-stick Cooking Spray. 

 

We are going to start off by adding our Canola Oil to a large mixing bowl.  Add the Sugar.

 

Take your whisk and begin to combine both the Sugar and Canola Oil until well mixed.  (it will look like melted snow)

 

 

Next we will begin adding our eggs.  Add one at a time, mix in completely, then add the next until you have all 4 eggs combined in your mix.

 

Here is our end result.  You will have doubled in volume and your mix is now a 'wet' mix. 

 

 

Here's my favorite part: adding the Canned Pumpkin.  I love the smell .. it instantly takes me to the holidays and smelling a fresh baked pumpkin pie.  Ahhhh ... I love our sense of smell.

 

Combine the Canned Pumpkin and then set this bowl aside.

 

Grab another mixing bowl for our dry ingredients.

 

 

Mix together the Flour, Baking Soda, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice and Cloves.

 

 

I add the dry ingredients in two parts: add 1/2 your dry mix to your wet and combine well.  Then add the remaining dry mix and keep combining.

 

 

And here is your final result - the best batter ever!  Now this recipe actually makes enough for two loafs.  You could also make cupcakes or mini loafs out of this - I simply opt for regular loafs.

 

Pour 1/2 your batter into 1 sprayed loaf pan. 

 

 

Remember, we are cooking bread.  Bread rises.  You don't want to fill your pan more than 3/4 of the way - otherwise you will have an overflowing loaf of bread. Overflowing bread won't hurt anything, but doesn't look as pretty when done.

 

Next we are going to place the loaf in the oven.  Goodbye batter, hello to the best pumpkin bread.

 

Cook at 350 degrees for 1 hour, (this is if you are using standard loaf pans - if using mini loaf pans/cupcakes/muffin tins then I would start checking around the 35 min mark).  Allow to cool in the pan, then simply turn it upside down and it will fall right out.

 

You can see the beauty of the top of the loaves.  This is something I love about fresh baked bread!

 

Allow to sit out and come to room temperature.  You can then wrap up in Parchment Paper or however you'd like!

 

Of course I couldn't resist and had to dig in for a piece.  Afterall, what's holiday baking if you can't sit back with a hot cup of tea and enjoy it??

 

There you go ... the recipe to the BEST pumpkin bread.  Try this recipe and let me know what you think!  I love it as it's easy and you end up with a moist and flavorful bread. 

 

Don't forget to follow this blog as we are just getting started in our Holiday Bread Spread this season!!  We will be doing more breads over the next couple months, so check back often!  Comment below if you have tried this out or share your own pumpkin bread recipes!!

 

Cheers!

Jacqui