Revisitation: Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Chocolate-Chip Bread - My most favorite recipe in the whole world

(originally posted in December 2008)

Makes 3 loaves

1 c. vegetable oil

3 c. sugar

4 eggs, beaten

1 large can pumpkin

1 c. chopped pecans and/or 1 c. chocolate chips

3 1/2 c. flour

2 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1 t. cinnamon

1 t. nutmeg

1 t. ginger

1 t. cloves

Mix oil, sugar, eggs, and pumpkin in large bowl.

Combine dry ingredients and pecans/chocolate chips in separate bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, stir until mixed.

Fill half-full either 3 well-greased 1-pound coffee tins or 3 well-greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove from pans immediately and cool on wire racks.

Sometimes I find it helpful to revisit the past.  Recipes help with that, because I associate certain memories with particular food.  This recipe for pumpkin bread is particularly momentous.  You see, I baked a batch of this when my sister-in-law had her first child in November 2008.  Yesterday, we celebrated this:

Look at this guy!  He's amazing.  Fun, smiley, and energetic - perhaps the best nephew I've ever had.  Happy Birthday To You, Sweet Boy!

I got to make him a birthday banner for this big year - and years to come!  I didn't get a picture of the one that I gave him (ok, well, gave his mama), but here's a second one I made that is going in my etsy shop:

Man, I'm pleased with how it turned out!  Upcycled: check.  Reusable: check.  Awesome: check (she said humbly).  Birthdays are so much fun, and it's exceptionally special to celebrate with those we love, knowing that we'll get to keep them close for years and years to come.


A little more birthday love goes out to this gal, who's holding my little gal:

What a hoot and a half she is! Cousin Becky: inspiring in so many ways, and one of the first people I want to call when something ridiculous happens because I know she'll share a hearty laugh with me.  Precious family, precious friend!

One more picture ...

 Who knew 10.5 months could go so fast? 

A selfless recipe for Pumpkin Bread

Makes 3 loaves

1 c. vegetable oil

3 c. sugar

4 eggs, beaten

1 large can pumpkin

1 c. chopped pecans and/or 1 c. chocolate chips

3 1/2 c. flour

2 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1 t. cinnamon

1 t. nutmeg

1 t. ginger

1 t. cloves

Mix oil, sugar, eggs, and pumpkin in large bowl.

Combine dry ingredients and pecans/chocolate chips in separate bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, stir until mixed.

Fill half-full either 3 well-greased 1-pound coffee tins or 3 well-greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove from pans immediately and cool on wire racks.

This is a fantastic recipe. My husband hates it when I give loaves away.

I've never made it with nuts, and I've never made it without chocolate chips (they're a must). The four spices (cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg) could be substituted with pumpkin pie spice - I guess 3-4 teaspoons of it would do.

This recipe is my default "gift bread." Case in point - my husband's sister just had her first baby. We show up with pumpkin bread. We weren't sure what to give our pastor for his birthday - pumpkin bread. Friends come over for craft night - pumpkin bread to take home. It's the perfect recipe because I can give away a loaf and still keep a couple for myself. Recipients think that I am so kind and selfless to have put all that work into the bread for their little occasion, but little do they know that I get to keep two-thirds of the efforts, rewarding myself for my kindness with an appetizer slice, a slice with dinner, and one with ice cream for dessert. I'm ashamed to admit, but we could go through a loaf in less than 24 hours. Need breakfast? Pumpkin bread. Need dessert? Pumpkin bread. Need a bread to go with your creamy tomato bisque from a can? Pumpkin bread.

So if you have an occasion coming up, be on the lookout for the bread. Feel free to call me out for keeping my two loaves, but be warned that I might make you share your ONE loaf with me right then and there.