Pumpkin Spice Bread

Stephen is SO my son. Something vaguely resembling a report card was sent home yesterday, where-in we learn that the kid has a 4th grade reading level (that's my boy!!) and also has a bit of trouble respecting teachers... (um, unfortunately, also my boy...) He's already starting to speed-read like me, and already starting to decide that he is smarter than his classmates and has better things to do than listen. Ack. I so deserve this. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree indeed!! If I wasn't being challenged at school, I would completely disregard my teacher. I had such an attitude... well, at least I can relate to him, right?? We gotta fix this!! Or he'll turn out like meee. Oh wait... I didn't turn out so bad... :)

You'll never believe what happened yesterday!! Our first SNOW!! Only an inch or two, but undeniably, snow. Now, there is a fabulous warm holiday drink I was going to share with you in honor of the first snow, but it just doesn't feel right till November at least!! So instead, I will finally jump on the Fall recipe bandwagon, and share with you the best pumpkin bread ever.

Pumpkin Spice Bread (makes 2 loaves)
Printable Recipe

1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
 3 1/3 cup flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 Tb cinnamon
1 Tb nutmeg
1 tsp ground ginger
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 can of pumpkin
2/3 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease/line 2 loaf pans.

Whisk together all dry ingredients (including sugars). Add all wet ingredients and mix well. Pour into prepared pans, and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean, or with a few crumbs.

This is the one recipe that I can make any time I want, with no grumbles from Stephen. He loves when I bake, but is much more health conscious than I, and gets tired of sweet baked things long before I do. (It takes a looooong time for me!) I love making this batch, and giving one loaf away; it's always a hit.

It's easy as pie! Easier, actually. Dump stuff in a bowl, mix well, and you are rewarded with high-rising, deep golden brown beautiful loaf that makes your whole house smell delecteable! Soft and moist, deep layers of rich spices and pumpkin, and a crisp outside crust (that's the brown sugar!) It took me years of tweaking to get it this wonderful, and it was worth it!!

Want to make it even more scrumptious?? Slather on some of this delicious cream cheese spread. Mmmmm...

1/2 stick salted butter, softened
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 Tsp vanilla
1 1/2-2 cups powdered sugar

Combine all, beat till smooth.

Stephen likes his best with butter, and I usually don't make the spread, but it is soooo good, I had to share it.  Of course, the bread IS still wonderful just with warm, melted butter too!! It's addicting, when I make some I usually eat it for breakfast for days...

I'm baking with pumpkin; Fall is Here!!