Pumpkin Spice Bread

A taste of Autumn!

Pumpkin flavored anything!  It just seems to take over my brain at this time of year.   I can't imagine having a fall season without baking something with pumpkin in it...usually, it's more than just one delicious pumpkin recipe that will get made!

This is your basic Pumpkin Bread recipe, so if you like to experiment with it,  you can add some really yummy goodies to the batter.  Such as chocolate chips, crushed pineapple, coconut, cream cheese.  There's an endless supply of extras for this delicious bread.  We like it plain, then spread pieces with my Cream Cheese Spread with Pineapple.

I love to spread the cream cheese, pineapple filling to make little sandwiches out of this bread as well as the Cranberry Orange Nut Bread.






Ingredients:
2/3 cup shortening
2 2/3 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin
2/3 cup water
3 1/3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
2/3 cup. coarsely chopped nuts (opt.)
2/3 cup raisins (opt.)

Heat oven to 350'F.  Grease and flour two 9x5x3" loaf pans.

In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until fluffy. 

Stir in eggs, pumpkin and water; beat until well mixed. 

Measure flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves into a separate bowl and stir until combined.  Slowly add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, beating until smooth.   Stir in nuts and raisins, if desired.

Pour into  prepared pans, evenly dividing the batter between the two pans.

Bake at 350'F. for about 60-70 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool for 10-15 minutes, then remove from pans by inverting onto a rack and tapping the bottoms. 

Slice and serve plain, with butter, or cream cheese (Add crushed pineapple to the cream cheese for a real treat.)


Cream Cheese Spread:
4 oz. cream cheese
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup crushed pineapple, drained (opt.)

Blend all together in a small bowl, using a spatula.  Slice bread into half slices and spread with cream cheese mixture; top with the other half and make little sandwiches.   So good!
If you don't like pineapple, just leave it out, it will still be delicious!

Be encouraged!
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."  -Jeremiah 29:13