Easy Pumpkin Bread Recipe

The weather is FINALLY starting to cool off, you know what that means. Pumpkin bread!

I have fond memories of this recipe that my mom used to make every fall. The aroma in the house is so inviting and it's an amazing, easy gift that you can make for co-workers, teachers, family, etc. Just be sure to make a loaf for yourself/family.

This past weekend, I made the ol' original, traditional kind with nothing fancy on it. I've added chocolate chips to the top before baking, or mixed in crumbled pecans, but even just plain it's amazing.

Ingredients:
1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup of vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons of baking soda
1 teaspoon of salt
1 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg (sometimes I add more for flavor)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Optional: mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (handful) and/or crushed pecans (1/2 cup)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour bottom of loaf pans (I have 2 long ones, but you can buy small aluminium foil ones for gifts).

2. In a mixer, combine pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. Add baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg. Slowly add flour to mixture. At this point, if you'd like to add crushed pecans, add into mixture.

3. Pour into prepared pans. If you'd like to be 'outgoing' and have mini chocolate chips, sprinkle some on the top. Your kids will LOVE it.

4. Bake for 50 minutes (said originally in recipe 60, but sometimes ovens vary from person to person and what kind of loaf pans). If you're unsure, just set the time for a time you feel is appropriate. Check loafs with toothpick in center. If clean, bread is ready!

You'll be so happy you have this recipe stored in your recipe book. It's an easy recipe to make lots of little loaves for your friends, family, co-workers, etc. Enjoy!

-Mandy