Pumpkin bread is a beloved staple of American fall baking, especially popular during the holiday season. Its origins are rooted in early American colonial cooking, where pumpkins were a vital crop and often used in sweet and savory dishes. The use of warm spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves gives this bread its signature autumnal aroma and flavor. This traditional recipe is handwritten, reflecting a time when family recipes were passed down through generations on worn note paper. It's moist, sweet, and comforting, perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon treat with coffee or tea.
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup salad oil
- 3 cups sugar
- 3 eggs (beaten)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups pumpkin (canned)
- ¾ cup chopped nuts (optional: raisins)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Pans
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Grease two standard loaf pans.
Step 2: Sift the Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, baking soda, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
- In another large bowl, combine salad oil and sugar.
- Add beaten eggs and vanilla, then stir in the canned pumpkin. Mix until smooth.
Step 4: Combine the Mixtures
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until fully combined.
- Fold in chopped nuts and optional raisins.
Step 5: Bake the Bread
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pans.
- Bake at 325°F for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
- Let the bread cool in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips
- Substitute applesauce for half the oil for a lighter version.
- Add raisins, chocolate chips, or dried cranberries for extra flavor.
- Try sprinkling the tops with cinnamon sugar before baking for a sweet crust.
- Freeze one loaf to enjoy later.
Nutrition
Calories: 3210kcalCarbohydrates: 464gProtein: 22gFat: 149gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 54gMonounsaturated Fat: 77gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 247mgSodium: 958mgPotassium: 771mgFiber: 8gSugar: 311gVitamin A: 10253IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 522mgIron: 14mg
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