Pumpkin Bread
Pumpkin bread is a delicious autumn treat that is easy to make and perfect for sharing with friends and family
Pumpkin bread is a delicious autumn treat that is easy to make and perfect for sharing with friends and family
- Carbohydrate 63.6742314583333 g
- Cholesterol 119.1925875 mg
- Fat 6.08202854166667 g
- Fiber 2.60281171318342 g
- Protein 6.29855775 g
- Saturated Fat 1.25950744166667 g
- Serving Size 1 1 (133g)
- Sodium 1122.18013333333 mg
- Sugar 61.0714197451499 g
- Trans Fat 3.2556213875 g
- Calories 326 calories
Step-by-step
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease three 7 1/2 x 3 1/2-inch loaf pans.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, soda, salt, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir well. Add applesauce, eggs, pumpkin, and water. Mix batter until well combined. Stir in nuts. Pour batter into prepared pans.
- Bake until tester inserted in the center of each loaf comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes.
Timing and Doneness Control
Start checking your loaves at the 50-minute mark using a thin wooden skewer inserted directly into the center crown. Pulling the pans from a 350 degree F oven the exact minute the tester comes out clean yields a moist crumb while preventing unnecessary electricity usage. Over-mixing the batter is the single technique error that ruins texture; excessive stirring develops gluten networks that turn tender quick bread dense and chewy. Stir wet and dry ingredients together using a wide rubber spatula just until flour pockets disappear. Utilizing three 7.5x3.5-inch loaf pans instead of standard large pans maximizes surface area, ensuring fast heat absorption and predictable bake times.
Low-Cost Pairings and Serving Options
Serve warm slices alongside inexpensive, protein-rich side options to create a complete meal without inflating your grocery bill. Salted butter melted over hot slices highlights the natural sweetness of pumpkin puree without needing expensive toppings. Cream cheese blended with milk at a 1:1 ratio offers a budget-friendly tangy spread that balances the heavy sugar content. Sharp cheddar cheese sliced thinly provides a rich, savory contrast that pairs remarkably well with cinnamon and nutmeg. Hot black coffee or low-cost black tea serves as the ideal beverage match, using natural bitterness to cut through the sugar.
Storage Windows and Waste Reduction
Store fully cooled loaves in airtight wrapping at room temperature for up to 5 days without texture loss. Freezing individually wrapped slices for up to 3 months protects your initial batch investment and provides ready-to-eat breakfasts. Reheating stale slices in a toaster oven for 3 minutes at 300 degrees F revives moisture while crisping the walnut pieces. Layering dry leftover crumbs with low-cost plain yogurt produces instant breakfast parfaits, ensuring zero ingredient waste from your baking session.
