Are you ready to embrace the cozy flavors of autumn? Then look no further! This pumpkin bread with pecans recipe is the perfect blend of moist, spiced pumpkin and crunchy pecans, making it an ideal treat for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful afternoon snack. It's surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner bakers, and guaranteed to impress your family and friends with its homemade goodness. This recipe is perfect for those searching for easy recipes, healthy meals (relatively!), or quick dinner ideas – though it's more of a delightful dessert!
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup pecan halves
Instructions:
Get started: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. This simple step ensures your bread releases easily.
Dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. This is crucial for even baking and flavor distribution.
Wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract. Make sure there are no lumps of sugar.
Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough bread, so be gentle!
Add pecans: Fold in the pecan halves.
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for the Best Pumpkin Bread:
- Room temperature ingredients: Using room temperature eggs and pumpkin puree helps create a smoother batter.
- Don't overmix: Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough bread. Mix until just combined.
- Check for doneness: Start checking for doneness around 50 minutes to avoid overbaking.
- Storage: Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Variations:
- Spiced it up: Add a pinch of ginger or cardamom for a more complex flavor profile.
- Chocolate chunks: Fold in ½ cup of chocolate chips for a decadent twist.
- Nuts galore: Substitute walnuts or other nuts for the pecans.
- Glaze it: Drizzle a simple cream cheese frosting or a maple glaze over the cooled bread for extra deliciousness.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
Calories: Around 300-350 Fat: Around 15-20g Protein: Around 4-5g Carbohydrates: Around 40-45g
Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
This pumpkin bread with pecans is a delightful addition to your fall baking repertoire. It's a perfect recipe for homemade cooking, offering delicious dishes that are both easy and satisfying. Enjoy!