RUSTIC PUMPKIN BREAD

I received this pumpkin bread recipe from a co-worker who made it for an office party. It is so yummy and moist that I now make it every year at the holidays for friends and family.

—SANDY SANDAVAL SANDY VALLEY, NV



PREP: 25 MIN. • BAKE: 1 HOUR + COOLING • MAKES: 2 LOAVES (16 SLICES EACH)


3 cups sugar

1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin

1 cup canola oil

4 large eggs

2/3 cup water

1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 cup chopped pecans

TOPPING

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons cold butter

1/4 cup chopped pecans

1. In a large bowl, beat the sugar, pumpkin, oil, eggs and water until blended. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves; gradually beat into pumpkin mixture until blended. Stir in the pecans.

2. Pour into two greased 9x5-in. loaf pans. For topping, in a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar and cinnamon; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in pecans. Sprinkle over batter.

3. Bake at 350° for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

CRANBERRY PUMPKIN BREAD Fold in 1 1/2 cups fresh or thawed frozen cranberries with the pecans.

PISTACHIO PUMPKIN BREAD Substitute pistachios for pecans in the batter and topping.

PUMPKIN CHIP BREAD Fold in 1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips with the pecans.