Delicious Pumpkin Bread 🎃🍞

This comforting pumpkin bread is a fall favorite, perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert! It’s moist, aromatic, and bursting with warm spices that evoke the essence of autumn. The addition of walnuts adds a delightful crunch, but feel free to leave them out if you prefer a nut-free option. Enjoy it plain, or slather it with butter for an extra treat! 🧈

Ingredients

For the bread

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 cups solid pack pumpkin puree
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour three 7 x 3 inch bread pans.

🥄 Properly greasing and flouring the pans ensures that the bread comes out easily without sticking. You can also line the bottom with parchment paper for extra security!

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Stir until the dry ingredients are well blended.

• Add the pumpkin puree, water, vegetable oil, eggs, and walnuts (if using) to the dry mixture. Beat until everything is well combined and smooth.

🎃 If you want an extra touch of flavor, consider adding a splash of vanilla extract or some chocolate chips to the batter!

• Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and smooth the tops.

• Bake for approximately 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

⏲️ Baking times may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on your loaves as they bake.

• Allow the bread to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

Variations

• Spice it up: Add a pinch of cloves or allspice for an additional layer of flavor!
• Sweeten the deal: Drizzle with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk for a sweet finish.
• Healthier choice: Substitute half of the oil with unsweetened applesauce for a lower-fat version without sacrificing moisture.
• Bite-sized treats: Transform this recipe into muffins by using a muffin tin instead! Bake for 18-20 minutes for perfectly portioned treats.

Enjoy this delightful pumpkin bread warm, or store it wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for several days. It also freezes beautifully, so save some for a cozy day ahead! 🍂💛