Pumpkin Bread (Cake)

Okay, so really, this recipe goes by a lot of names because it's really all the same stuff. Here are some of its names:

Pumpkin Bread
Zucchini Bread
Banana Bread
Apple Bread
Sweet Potato Bread
Butternut Squash Bread
Summer Squash Bread

 
I'm still tempted to experiment with other fruits and veggies and see what happens. I have tried this recipe exactly as is with with the above-named ingredients with excellent results. The apple one can be a little more tricky. I may make individual posts for each one someday when I finally get around to posting pictures of everything on my blog too!

My thing about these kinds of recipes is that I am not that big into overly-spiced cakes and pies. I also don't like the idea of having so much sugar in them either. I like the filler (as I call the main ingredient) to enhance the flavor of the bread rather than using sugar to mask the flavor of the filler because I had too much of it. People will often mention to me how they love how light it is and how they can really taste the main ingredient. On the other hand, many will tell me they really like their traditional ultra-spiced varieties. Feel free to add any other spices you like. I keep it simple and don't even put in as much cinnamon as most.

Pumpkin Bread (Cake)

Ingredients:
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp soda
1 tsp baking powder
1-2 tsp cinnamon
dash nutmeg
3 eggs
1 cup oil
2 cups pumpkin puree (skin and all)
1 cup sugar
1-2 tsp vanilla
 1 cup walnuts (or more)

Optional:
Many people put chocolate chips and fruit chunks

Directions:
1) Mix the flour, salt, soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a large bowl.
2) Mix the eggs and oil together and stir vigorously until creamy.
3) Mix in the puree, sugar, vanilla, and walnuts to the egg/oil mixture.
4) Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold them in.
5) Separate into two greased loaf pans and bake in a preheated oven at 325 F for 45-60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remember to refrigerate as this has no preservatives in it. Also, I find the refrigeration makes this easier to slice.