Nov 22, 2008

Dreamy Holiday Pumpkin Bread with Carolina Cream Cheese Icing


BEST pumpkin bread ever
Originally uploaded by 3 bees
How to make the Pumpkin Bread

Makes 3 large loaves

Ingredients
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
2 cups white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1 ½ cups whole wheat pastry flour (or, all purpose flour works, too)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

DIRECTIONS
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans. (Can also use cupcake tins)

* In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugars until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flours, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.

*Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Carolina Cream Cheese Icing: (double recipe per loaf)

One 8-ounce package softened cream cheese (per loaf)
1 stick (1/2 cup) margarine, softened
1 box powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
chopped nuts on top or folded in - option and very yummy!
Fold in a few scoops of whip cream for a lighter, extra yummy, icing. That's the Carolina "twist". You can even use Vanilla Whipped Cream (Cool Whip Brand)!

Cool completely before refrigerating the loaves. To take the Pumpkin Bread with you to Holiday Family Events, just wrap in tin foil, reheat in a 250 degree oven for 20-30 minutes...then apply the Carolina Cream Cheese Icing to the loaf...or to each slice for more frosting coverage.

Variations: Add chopped nuts to the mix. Add some white or black raisins, some candied cranberries, or even chopped prunes or dates.

Down here in the Carolinas, some country folk like to add shredded zucchini or shredded carrots to the loaves. If you don't like pumpkin, swap it out for a can of applesauce for a delightful "Carolina Spice Cake Loaf" instead.

Happy Holiday Season from DreamVest Appraisals! May your Family time together be genuine and warm as you consider the life-appraisals for the New Year's Resolutions soon to come.

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