Sweet Pumpkin Spice Bread

from ButterYum

makes 1 loaf (8.5 x 4.5-inch)

Ingredients

• • 1 cup pumpkin puree (fresh or canned)

  • 4 ounces applesauce

  • 1 1/3 cup granulated sugar

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg (or double if using dried)

Directions

• 1. Preheat oven to 350F, coat a 8.5x4.5-inch metal loaf pan with Baker’s Joy spray, and place oven rack in lower center position.

  2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, applesauce, sugar, and eggs; set aside.

  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cloves, and cinnamon.

  4. Pour pumpkin mixture into flour mixture and whisk until no dry lumps remain.

  5. Spread batter evenly in prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center (and all the way down to the bottom of the pan) comes out clean.

  6. Remove bread from oven and rest for 10- 15 minutes before unmolding.

  7. Allow bread to cool completely on a rack before slicing.

Notes

• • To make pumpkin puree, preheat oven to 400F. Cut pumpkin in half, scoop out and remove seeds. Place halves, cut side down, on an oiled half sheet pan. Pierce skin with knife in several places. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the outer skin softens and gives under pressure. When cool enough to handle, scoop flesh and use a food processor or blender to puree (you can skip this step if your squash doesn't have a stringy texture).

  • Freeze leftover pureed pumpkin in 1-cup portions so you can bake a fresh loaf whenever the mood strikes.

  • This bread freezes beautifully when vacuum sealed or wrapped well in plastic followed by heavy-duty foil, being sure to seal very well. Thaw overnight in the fridge before unwrapping.