OK, so again, easy and delicious. 2 bowls, no mixer and lots of yummy spices. Not too sweet pumpkin bread with lots of healthy walnuts make this an easy staple for a breakfast treat, brunch or an afternoon snack. And save for the icing, it is dairy free (and it is still quite good without). I made this with my continued vertigo so you know it is simple. I felt like purging the excess from my (somewhat excessive) pantry and I knew I would not want pumpkin in the spring and summer. I scoured my new Sur La Table cookbook which is chock full of baking tips – really good ones – and found this. I took out a little sugar since I wanted it to be more bread(y) than sweet and it was a great success. Everyone really enjoyed – Mike thought too many nuts – so go easy on them if you prefer less. These would also be great as muffins. (Just adapt and watch baking time.) Smart to make a double batch and pop one in the freezer since this freezes very well. Enjoy-
pumpkin walnut bread (adapted from Sur La Table’s The Art and Soul of Baking):
2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground clove
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/2 (almost) teaspoon kosher salt
2 large eggs, room temp
1/3 cup water
1 1/2 cups sugar (minus 3 tablespoons – if you want sweet bread, keep the tablespoons)
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/2 cup canola oil
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup toasted chopped walnuts (or less if desired)
sprinkling of sugar for top (optional)
cream cheese frosting (you will have a leftover – hold for another occasion) –
6 oz cream cheese, room temp
1 1/2 oz butter room temp
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toast your walnuts and set aside.
Lightly coat at 9×5 loaf pan with butter or spray – and line the bottom with parchment.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, ginger and salt. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and water, then add the sugar and mix well. Next add the pumpkin puree, oil and vanilla extract and mix well.
Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until just blended. Add the walnuts and mix in. Pour batter into prepared pan and level the top with a small palate knife or back of a spoon. Optional – sprinkle one tablespoon of sugar to the top of the loaf for a crispy slightly sugary top – especially good if you do not plan to ice the bread.
Bake for about 54-64 minutes – until the bread is firm to touch and toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for 15 minutes- then turn out onto pan to cool completely before you frost (if you plan too.
icing–
Place the cream cheese, softened butter in mixer and blend until smooth (with paddle – or hand mixer). Beat well –
Whisk the confectioners’ sugar then add to the mixture and blend on low for a minute. add the vanilla and on medium speed beat for about a minute, scrape down sides and beat again.
Spread desired amount onto pumpkin loaf and enjoy! (The icing does need refrigeration – so pull out of frige a half hour before you plan to serve for best flavor.)
