How to Turn Ordinary Pumpkin Bread into an Exquisite and Tasteful Experience

There are many versions of pumpkin bread that will get your taste buds going for the upcoming holiday season. For example you can make pumpkin fry bread, cranberry pumpkin bread, pumpkin bread with filling, or chocolate chip pumpkin bread. Each will have a unique taste and texture. Some of the breads are moister than others, others will be heavier breads. With any recipe, it is essential to try it and then make it your own. You may want to add nuts, coconut, or any other ingredient that you want. Here are some starter recipes to help you find the perfect recipe for your favorite pumpkin bread.

For a normal loaf of pumpkin bread I use the recipe below. I actually made smaller loaves and gave them as part of a family gift basket for Christmas.

Pumpkin Bread

1 cup of butter, softened

3 cups of sugar

3 eggs

3 cups of all-purpose flour

1 Tbsp of baking powder

1 ½ tsp of baking soda

1 ½ tsp of ground cinnamon

1 ½ tsp of ground cloves

1 ½ tsp of ground nutmeg

1 (16 oz) can of solid pack pumpkin

In a medium to large size mixing bowl you will need to cream your butter and sugar. You will then add the eggs and mix well. Combine your dry ingredients in a separate bowl and then stir that mixture into your creamed mixture just until moistened. This will be a little hard to do. Next you stir in your pumpkin, mixing will then become a lot easier. You will then pour into two greased 9 X 5 X 3 inch loaf pans, or smaller ones if you desire, you will just need more pans. Bake the bread at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour or until the bread is pierced with a clean toothpick and comes out clean.

If you are a fan of Native American fry bread, you will probably enjoy this pumpkin fry bread recipe.

Pumpkin Fry Bread

2 cups of self-rising flour, plus extra for kneading

1 (16 oz) can of solid pack pumpkin

1 Tbsp of warm milk

¾ cup of brown sugar

½ tsp of ground cinnamon

½ tsp of ground cloves

½ tsp of ground nutmeg

Oil for frying

Put 2 cups of flour into a large mixing bowl. In another bowl combine your pumpkin, warm milk, brown sugar, and spices. Make a well in your flour and pour in the pumpkin mixture. Flour your hands and gradually mix the flour and pumpkin mixture together. This will form a soft dough. Using four fingers scoop up a portion of the dough into your hand and roll into a smooth little ball. On a floured surface flatten the ball to approximately a ½ inch thickness. Pour your frying oil into a large cast iron skillet filling it a little higher than half way. Heat the oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your flattened dough ball into the oil and fry for about2 minutes and then turn it and fry another 2 minutes. The dough should be golden brown on both sides. Remove and drain on paper towels. Serve warm after they are sprinkled with powdered sugar.

If you are like me and also love cranberries, you should try this recipe for pumpkin cranberry bread. This bread is sure to be a hit because it combines two favorite holiday flavors into one delicious bread.

Pumpkin Cranberry Bread

2 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour

1 Tbsp of pumpkin pie spice

2 tsp of baking powder

½ tsp of salt

2 eggs

2 cups of sugar

1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin puree

½ cup of vegetable oil

1 cup of dried cranberries

1 cup of chopped walnuts

Grease and flour two 9 X 5 inch pans or 4 smaller loaf pans and preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a medium to large mixing bowl combine flour, spice, baking powder, and salt. In another small mixing bowl combine eggs, sugar, pumpkin, and oil. Beat, just until blended. Stir the pumpkin mixture into the dry mixture until the batter is moistened. Fold in the cranberries and walnuts. Spoon the batter into the baking pans and then bake for 50 to 60 minutes. If you are using mini pans you will need to check the bread sooner, at 20 to 25 minutes. Use the toothpick test to make sure your bread is done.

Do you love banana nut bread? Do you love pumpkin bread? Then this recipe is for you.

Pumpkin Banana Bread

2 mashed bananas

2 eggs

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 1/3 cups of canned pumpkin puree

½ cup of honey

½ cup of sugar

2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour

1 tsp of baking powder

1 tsp of baking soda

½ tsp of salt

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp of ground cinnamon

½ cup chopped walnuts

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9 X 5 inch loaf pan. In a large bowl, mix together the mashed bananas, eggs, oil, pumpkin, honey, and sugar. In another bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Then stir the dry mixture into the wet mixture just until combined. Fold in the walnuts and then pour into your baking pan. Bake for 45 minutes and test with a toothpick. Cool for ten minutes in the pan and then remove and finish cooling on a wire rack.

For you coconut lovers, I have another great recipe just for you.

Coconut Pumpkin Bread

3 ½ cups of all-purpose flour

2 cups of packed dark brown sugar

2/3 cup of sugar

1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin puree

1 cup of vegetable oil

2/3 cup of coconut milk

2 tsp of baking soda

1 tsp of salt

1 tsp of ground nutmeg

1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon

2/3 cup of unsweetened flaked coconut

1 cup of toasted chopped walnuts

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease two 8 X 4 inch or 9 X 5 inch loaf pans. Combine in a large mixing bowl flour, sugar, pumpkin, oil, coconut milk, baking soda, salt, and spices. Mix until blended well and then fold in your flaked coconut and chopped walnuts. Pour into the pans and bake 1 hour and 10 to 15 minutes. Make sure to do the toothpick test. Remove from oven and immediately cool on a rack.

Peanut butter is always a great flavor to add to any bread. So here is a variation to your plain pumpkin bread that adds a hint of peanut butter.

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Bread

3 cups of sugar

1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin puree

4 eggs

1 cup of vegetable oil

¾ cup of water

2/3 cup of peanut butter

3 ½ cups of all-purpose flour

2 tsp of baking soda

1 ½ tsp of salt

1 tsp of ground cinnamon

1 tsp of ground nutmeg

In a medium to large mixing bowl combine sugar, pumpkin, eggs, oil, water, and peanut butter. Make sure they are beat together well. In another mixing bowl combine flour, baking soda, salt, and spices. Gradually add the dry mixture into the pumpkin mixture. Mix well and pour into two greased 9 X 5 inch loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour to 1 hour and ten minutes. Make sure to do the toothpick test. Cool for ten minutes and then remove to racks.

Another great variation to pumpkin bread is a Ribbon Pumpkin Bread that has a decadent cream cheese filling. This is yet another great way to enjoy a holiday favorite.

Ribbon Pumpkin Bread

Filling:

6 ounces of cream cheese, reduced fat if you like

¼ cup of sugar

1 Tbsp of all-purpose flour

2 egg whites

Batter:

1 cup of solid pack pumpkin

½ cup of applesauce

1 egg

2 egg whites

1 Tbsp of canola oil

1 2/3 cup of all-purpose flour

1 ¼ cup of sugar

1 tsp of baking soda

½ tsp of salt

½ tsp of ground cinnamon

½ tsp of ground cloves

1/3 cup of chopped walnuts

First you will make the filling, so it is ready to use when the batter is poured. Combine the ingredients that are listed above for the filling. Mix well in the bowl and then set it aside. Next you will make the batter. Beat together the pumpkin, applesauce, egg, egg whites, and oil. Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and spice in a separate bowl and mix well. Add this dry mixture to the pumpkin mixture and stir well. Then add you walnuts and stir them in evenly. You will now need to grease two 8 X 4 inch loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray. In each pan, place ¼ of the batter. Spread the filling over both now and then top with the remaining batter. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick test shows they are done. Cool for 10 minutes and then remove to wire racks to cool completely. You should refrigerate leftovers due to the use of cream cheese.

As you see there are many variations that can be done to your ordinary pumpkin bread. Some additional ingredients might just make this treat an irresistible addition to your holiday giving or dinner. A few ingredients that I can suggest are chocolate chips, coconut, bananas, orange, and anything else that might enhance the flavor. Enjoy!