Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice!

I find it pretty much impossible to be unhappy in the fall time. The weather is turning to the perfect cool crisp, beautiful leaves cover the ground, harvest decorations adorn almost every home, weekends are spent drinking beer and watching football, and my favorite holidays are just around the corner. But more importantly, there is the reemergence of everything pumpkin and all of the delicious masterpieces that come along with it. One of my favorites, Pumpkin Bread! I always find myself baking it multiple times to share with friends, and almost always finish a few loaves myself.

• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce
  
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 cup of white sugar
• 1 cup of brown sugar
  
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 small splash of vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, applesauce, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, nutmeg, cloves, ginger and vanilla. Slowly stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until lightly mixed. Pour into the prepared pans.
3. Bake for about 45-50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

I dare you to bake this and not finish a loaf in one sitting. Some like to add a glaze, which can be made from combining soft cream cheese, confectioners sugar, and a little milk. Also, try throwing in chocolate chips or dried cranberries to change things up a little.



Only 11 days until the Presidential Election, so if you aren't Early Voting please remember to go out and VOTE on the 4th.
As always, Go McCain - Palin.

Martha Stewart Tip-of-the-Day: Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous china.