Pumpkin Bread

Do you have a Trader Joe's store near you? I swear their box mix is just as good as what I used to make from scratch, and you only add egg and oil!

This is my go-to recipe - It's never let me down:

1 15oz can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
** you can also substitute 3 cups shredded zucchini and make zucchini bread.
1 2/3 cups sugar
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 eggs
3 cups all-purpose or whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves (I don't like things really 'clovey' so I substitute something I have called "Pumpkin Pie Spice"
1/2 cups nuts (optional)

Oven rack in center of oven - preheat to 350. Grease bottoms only of 2 loaf pans with shortening (or Pam spray)

Mix pumpkin, oil, vanilla & eggs until combined. Then stir in remaining ingredients. Don't overmix - stir in dry ingredients until just combined.

Split into 2 loaf pans and bake 1 hour 10 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan and then remove from pan and cool completely. Wrap and store on counter up to 4 days, or in fridge for up to 10 days.

I usually leave one loaf out and freeze the 2nd.

I use this Banana Muffin Recipe:

http://www.food.com/recipe/banana-oatmeal-muffins-189150h...

Instead of the bananas I use two cups of pumpkin or winter squash puree. I make my own (just bake or steam the pumpkin/squash) but I guess you could use a can of pumpkin if you wanted.

I always do variations on the recipe depending on what I have at home. Sometimes I add chocolate chips or applesauce, sometimes I change the spices (pumpkin spice mix or adding some cardamom or ginger). I have made muffins and loaves with this (just bake the loaves longer ~ 50 min).
The recipe is very versatile and forgiving I usually use rolled oats and 50% whole wheat flour for added fiber and it comes out just the same.

It will not be overly sweet (I usually halve the sugar when I make it with bananas) and is great for a quick breakfast.

Good luck!

This recipe is AH-mazing! And, it makes 2 loaves at once! One for you, one to share :)

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chocolate-chip-pumpkin...

Google "Pumpkin Dump Cake."
Looks amazing--but more cake than bread.

here ya go!

1 Cup Vegetable Oil
4 Eggs Beaten
2/3 Cup Water
2 Cups Pumpkin

Combine ingredients above and mix well

3-1/3 Cups Flour
1-1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
2 tsp Baking Soda
3 Cups Sugar

Preheat oven to 350
Grease 4 loaf pans + flour the pans.
Combine 1st 4 ingredients in 1 bowl
In a large bowl mix flour, salt, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and sugar.

Make a well in the center of flour mixture and add pumpkin mixture to it. Blend well.

Bake about 1 hour in the 4 pans - Test with a toothpick.