Makes 2 breads

I call this recipe a “custard bread” because the additional eggs give the bread a wonderfully spongy, moist, texture. Please assume all ingredients are organic whenever possible!

INGREDIENTS

3 cups all-purpose flour sifted
1 cup whole wheat flour sifted
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon clove
2 teaspoon ginger
4 eggs
2 cups packed brown sugar (I’ve made it with 1½ to 2¼ cup sugar, depending on preferences re: sweetness)
¾ cup (12 tbs) melted butter
3 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1-2 small pie pumpkins (to make 3 cups roasted, 1 may be enough)

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut pumpkins in half, clean out seeds, spread out on tray and spray oil/butter over seeds, salt and throw in lower rack of oven (optional-but who wants to waste yummy healthy seeds) place cut side down on baking sheet and bake for approx 40 minutes (seeds will be done in 20 min). Take pumpkin out and allow to cool while assembling other ingredients. Grease and flour the loaf pans, or for a nice caramelized bottom substitute granulated or brown sugar for the flour… easy to lift the loaves out and delicious! Sift together all dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a food processor, blend the pumpkin with approx half the melted butter, streamed in the food hatch-just enough to get the pumpkin blended. This may have to be done in batches, depending on the size of your processor. I do it in a small 4 cup, and it makes 3 batches. Don’t worry if you need more butter, use whatever is necessary! Cream in mixer brown sugar, pumpkin, remainder of butter… adding in vanilla and each egg, one at a time. Blend wet into dry ingredients, being careful not to over mix.

Pour into two standard size loaf pans, two thirds of the way – this bread will rise high!

Bake until toothpick comes out dry, approx 50 minutes (ovens vary), Streusel topping (optional!). I look for any excuse to add more butter and cinnamon in a bread, what’s better than that?

Streusel Topping

INGREDIENTS

½ stick cold butter, cut in pieces
½ cup brown sugar
1 cup quick cook oats
2 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt

PREPARATION

Blend all ingredients in a processor or with fingers until crumbly and mixed together. Add more sugar if you like it sweeter.

Sprinkle generously over breads before baking!

©Recipe Property of Jennie Giammasi