Pun’kin

Pumpkin bread is a never-fail for me – it’s one of those things that I can eat whenever I need a little comfort – something about all those warm spices.  I’ve been tweaking a pumpkin break recipe for a while to make it a little healthier.  Typically, these sweet breads are packed with sugar and fat, and not that I’m against those things (my wise mother always said “A day without butter is a day without sunshine”, and I have to agree), it’s just that I tend to enjoy this bread often, and so I feel better about it knowing it’s just a little healthier.  I’m not sure that I’m completely done tweaking, but it’s pretty freaking good as it is.

1/2 can pumpkin puree

1/2 cup grapeseed oil (you can also use canola – I used grapeseed because Dr. Weil says it’s good for me.  I’m sure you could substitute applesauce for the oil in this recipe too, I just tend to eat any applesauce I have before it makes it into any other dish)

2 eggs

1 – 3/4 cups whole wheat flour (or white whole wheat if you like a fluffier, less dense bread)

1 cup evaporated cane juice or sugar

 3/4 tsp. baking soda

3/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

Spices: 3/4 tsp. nutmeg, 3/4 tsp allspice, 1 Tbsp cinnamon, some pumpkin pie spice if you’ve got it

Additions: I had some crystallized ginger and dried cranberries (about 1/2 cup of each) which I chopped and threw in – it would also be great with nuts, any dried fruit, or chocolate chips if you want to up the sweet factor.

Combine the wets (pumpkin, eggs, oil, sugar), then add the drys – easy peasy!  I baked these in a set of four Silpat mini-loaf pans – I find it easier to limit myself that way.  I keep one on the counter for immediate consumption, then throw the other three in the freezer to take out one wonderful morning at a time.  I’m sure this amount would fit pretty easily in a standard loaf pan as well. 

Bake at 300º for 50-60 minutes, depending on your oven.  Let them rest in the pan for a couple of minutes, then pull out to cool, or to immediately shove in your mouth.  Mmm, tastes like Christmas…