Harvest Loaf Cake 🎃🍫

This delightful Harvest Loaf Cake is the perfect treat to celebrate autumn! With a wonderful blend of spices, pumpkin, and chocolate, it not only fills the kitchen with a warm, inviting aroma but also offers a deliciously moist and flavorful slice every time. Serve it at gatherings, enjoy it with your morning coffee, or treat yourself to an afternoon snack. It pairs beautifully with a hot cup of tea! ☕🍂

Ingredients

For the cake

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts (plus extra for topping)

For the glaze

• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Set aside.

   🌾 Sifting the dry ingredients can help prevent clumping and ensure an even distribution of flavors.

3. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time.

4. Alternately add the flour mixture and pumpkin, mixing until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts.

5. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle the remaining walnuts on top.

6. Bake for 65 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

   ⏰ Keep an eye on the cake after about 60 minutes, as oven temperatures may vary!

7. While still warm, drizzle with the glaze (instructions below).

8. Allow the cake to cool for at least 6 hours before slicing and serving.

To make the glaze:

• In a medium bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Mix well, gradually adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of cream until you reach a drizzling consistency.

Tips & Tricks

• Storage: Store the cake in an airtight container for up to a week. It also freezes well; just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil.
• Add-ins: Feel free to mix in some dried cranberries or raisins for added sweetness and texture!
• Make it your own: Experiment with different nuts or even add a splash of vanilla extract to the batter for an extra layer of flavor.
• Gluten-free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend for a delicious alternative.

Enjoy this cozy slice of fall magic! 🍂🍰