Pumpkin Bread
By: Sheri Wetherell
Published: November 11, 2008

As Barnaby and I walked to the bus this morning we noticed all the mushy pumpkins that remain on doorsteps in our neighborhood. The once beautifully carved jack o' lanterns are quickly becoming  pumpkin puree, especially with the aid of the recent rain. I have to admit, all that soft pumpkin flesh makes me want to bake something! Gross, I know, to be inspired by the soggy, rotting pulp of Halloween pumpkins, but sometimes I just cannot help what inspires me culinarily. And, honestly, I caught a whiff of one that actually still smelled quite pleasant. By no means should this be taken as encouragement to scrape the pumpkin off your neighbor's stoop to make pumpkin bread. Just go and buy some canned puree.
Pumpkin Bread
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
	4 eggs
	1 cup vegetable oil
	2/3 cup water
	3 cups white sugar
	3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
	2 teaspoons baking soda
	1 1/2 teaspoons salt
	1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
	1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
	1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
	1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
	1 cup crushed walnuts or pecans, optional
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans.
In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and nuts if you are using them. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.
Bake for approximately 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Comments:
Michele
November 11, 2008

WOW!  This looks delicious!  I have everything to make it except for cloves....I'm too lazy to go to the store today.  Maybe tomorrow!
Christopher

I agree with Michele, this looks wonderful and I can almost smell it through the internet (wouldn't that be a hoot!)
Definitely on our list of favorite breads, right next to Zuchini.  Thanks for sharing!
dreama

What a wonderful bread to have for a brunch....of course if it's in the house...it's calling my name!!
r.e.wolf

Made it this morning - SO good!
Dee

This is a recipe I have made for years. I often give loaves of it for Christmas gifts. It rocks!