11.14.2008

pumpkin bread + mulled cider

so here’s the deal. it is 83 degrees today because I live in a barren wasteland. I should be “grateful” you say because I don’t have to deal with snow or ice or scraping windshields? well, tell me that in february when you’re all sick of the snow and it’s still 80 degrees here in arizona. the holidays are supposed to be cold so you can feel warm inside from all the holiday love and cheer. that was cheesy but I don’t care! I mean it!

(deep breath)

in any case, the smell of pumpkin baking always puts one in a cheerful holiday mood (which I apparently need badly) - that and the smell of hot mulled cider. so here’s both:
pumpkin bread
2 cups canned pumpkin
1 cup canola oil
4 eggs
2/3 cup water
3 cups granulated sugar
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray three (medium/smallish) bread loaf pans.

In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, oil, eggs, water and sugar. Sift in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and baking soda. Beat gently until batter is smooth, then gently add chocolate chips and mix until just incorporated. Pour batter into loaf pans until halfway full. Bake in preheated oven for one hour or (depending on your loaf pan – see note) until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Remove from oven and let cool for a couple of minutes. Remove from pan and let cool completely before slicing. Optional: You can also lightly butter the tops and dredge with powdered sugar.

note: if you don’t have small loaf pans, you can use two medium or one large loaf pan. just be sure that the batter only comes halfway up the sides of the pan. you should also increase the cooking time a few minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
mulled cider
1 orange, washed
4 cups (1 quart) apple juice or cranberry juice cocktail
2 cinnamon sticks
4 whole cloves

Peel the orange by slicing into strips. Combine your juice of choice, orange peel, cinnamon sticks and cloves in a saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium heat and warm the juice until tiny bubbles appear around the edges of the pan. Simmer gently for 20 minutes, reducing the heat as needed to keep the juice from boiling. Remove the pan from the heat. Pour into mugs and serve immediately.

9 comments:

Alisse Baldwin said...

Um, these sound positively DELISH!

And you're really funny. I may have laughed out loud at work in the quiet bank at your first paragrpah, and then got some weird stares.

But, anyway, I'm glad to know you.

summer said...

that pumpkin bread looks simply amazing- I love that you used chocolate chips in it. Thank you so much, can't wait to try it!

Anonymous said...

I'm a lurker - but the pumpkin bread was absolutely delicious!! I was able to make 4 small-medium loaves and at 1/2 of one right out of the oven. I had to give the rest away today.
Thanks for this recipe - I love pumpkin!

3kings1princess said...

The pumpkin bread was wonderful. My kids loved it!

Just K said...

This is my new favorite pumpkin bread recipe! I made several loaves with my girls and we took them to our neighbors for family night. Of course we saved one for ourselves. It was soooo good and didn't last (we ate the whole thing that night). Thanks for another great recipe!

Tay said...

i'm so glad i found your food blog. it is everything i've been looking for and more!

Ms.Carson said...

I made the pumpkin bread and it was the best I have ever made or tasted. I left out the chocolate chips because we are a bit-cholated out post-Christmas and it was still wonderful, sweet and delicious. I made two large loaves - there is barely any left....pres

stephschneider said...

Bookmarked this recipe, waiting on Fall here in Los Angeles. Made it Sunday to rave reviews from all my friends + family. thanks for sharing + congrats on your bundle of joy!

Quantina Beck-Jones said...

Thank you for the recipe Elizabeth it turned out great. I used my last Jarrahdale Pumpkin for this beautiful rich bread. It is sure to be a hit at game night tonight.