Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Pumpkin bread - I smell Christmas in my house!


I found this pumpkin bread recipe and decided to try it.  I have made some changes to the original recipes. I took the suggestion of one user and replaced cinnamon and nutmeg with ground all spices and added walnuts. I also added diced dates and use freshly mashed pumpkin instead of canned.  The original recipe calls for 3 cups of sugar, I have reduced it to 2 ½ cups and the result is actually sweet enough for my taste.  This is a good recipe as the bread came out fluffy. I cut out 3 pieces, got it packed and drove to the guard house to give them to the guard on duty so that he can have them for tea. The big smile on his face was priceless!. The fragrance of this bread not only filled my house with Christmas, it also gave the guard joy. AWESOME!




Largely adapted from Shirley Sober’s recipe.
Ingredients:

            1 cup butter or margarine, softened
            2 1/2 cups sugar
            3 eggs
            3 cups all-purpose flour
            1 tbsp baking powder
            1 1/2 tsp baking soda
            1 tsp ground all spices
    1 tsp vanilla extract
            1 tsp ground cloves
            16 oz. mashed pumpkin
   ½ cup diced dates
   ¾ halved walnuts

Method:
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla extract. Mix well. Combine dry ingredients; stir into creamed mixture just until moistened. Stir in pumpkin, diced dates and walnuts. Pour into two greased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pans or a bundt cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees F or 175 degrees C for 1 hour or until bread tests done.



32 comments:

  1. I can see lots of Christmas mood in your post too :D Love your pumpkin bread full of spices...I can imagine the aroma in your kitchen :D

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  2. What a wonderful time of year, and this recipe, well it is just scrumptious.

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  3. I haven't had pumpkin bread since I was very little and my mom used to make it! It was a popular way to use up leftover pumpkin from the Thanksgiving feast. This looks absolutely delicious. :)

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  4. Zoe,
    I hope to bring you into the Christmas mood too:D

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  5. Thanks David, are you going write a poem for Christmas?

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  6. Thanks Jude. This is the first time I am making pumpkin bread and since this is so good, I will make this more often. Both my mum and hubby loves anything with pumpkins.

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  7. I have never tried pumpkin bread, I must give this a try before Christmas. It looks delicious in your great photos. Diane

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  8. Diane,
    I am glad you will try this. Do give me some feedback. Love to hear what you think.

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  9. Wow! I can smell it too! Delicious and wonderful bread replete with only the best spices! Christmas is here already! Happy holidays to you!

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  10. Thanks michelangelo,
    Happy Holidays to you too:D

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  11. Thanks for your comments on my blog.

    This bread looks great. I love all things pumpkin. I am hoping to get to make some pumpkin pudding by this weekend.

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  12. I love pumpkin bread too! It does smell like Christmas (even though I'll eat it year round). Thank you for your kind comment on my blog, too. Also, I love your quote on your banner. It is true about your family and mine!

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  13. Melinda,
    Thanks for dropping by. Look foward to your pumpkin recipes. Have a wonderful week.

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  14. Gourmet Gadget Gal,
    Thanks for your visit and comment and hope to drop by again to visit with me.

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  15. Pumpkin bread looks delicious. You are right, with all the spices christmas is here.

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  16. Your pumpkin bread looks delicious. I love that you added dates to the recipe.

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  17. This sounds fabulous and I can just imagine how delicious it made your home smell while baking. I am a fan of anything pumpkin so this would do well in my home!

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  18. Happy Holidays to you and your family.Thanks for stopping by.I have not yet tried baking with pumpkin.But this bread looks so delightful!

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  19. Ho Ho Ho...Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  20. This bread looks fantastic. I loved reading your story of christmases over the years. It's always wonderful when bloggers put a personal spin on their content. It's what makes us feel like we really know you =)

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  21. Swathi,
    I am looking forward to have a great time with my family on Christmas day.

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  22. Thanks Anna. I really happy with the result:D

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  23. Bridgett, thanks so much for your comment. Happy holidays to you and your family.

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  24. Thanks Michelle. Wish you and your family an enjoyable Holiday.

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  25. You are most welcome Tanvi. Thanks for checking out my blog. Wish you and your family Happy Holidays too.

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  26. Thanks Little inbox and I wish you and your family the same.

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  27. Hi veggietestkitchen, please to meet you and thanks for dropping by and take time to leave your comment. I really appreciate it. Wish you and your family have wonderful Christmas. Cheers!

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  28. I can see that your house is all geared for the festive season. Lovely looking pumpkin bread and lucky guard! Thanks for the award, have just grabbed it!

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  29. Cheah,
    You are most welcome! you well deserve the award. Are you all geared up for Christmas too?

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  30. Your photos look like a Christmas shoot, just beautiful! I love all the substitutions you made to the recipe, this sounds delicious! Thanks

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  31. Thanks Debbie:D Very nice of you to drop by and leave such a wonderful comment. Wish you and your family have the SWELL Christmas!

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I love to hear from you. Your comments mean a lot to me. Thanks!