Fruited Pumpkin Bread

This recipe comes from Sunset Magazine and is a bit different from most other pumpkin breads I've made. It's a little spicy and includes mashed banana for extra fruity flavor.

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or ground nutmet
3/4 cup (1/4 lb. plus 1/4 cup) butter or margarine, at rooom temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 large eggs
3/4 cup each canned pumpkin and mashed ripe banana
1/2 to 1 cup chopped walnuts, pecans or dates

Instructions
In a large bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice. In another large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition; then stir in pumpkin and banana. Add flour mixture and stir just until dry ingredients are evenly moistened. Stir in walnuts.

Spread batter evenly in two greased, floured loaf pans. Bake in a 350 degree oven until a wooden skewer inserted in centers of loaves comes out clean (about one hour).

Let bread cool in pans on racks for about five minutes; then turn out onto racks to cool completely.

Thanks for playing along with me on Project Quick-Bread. Now the work begins. This weekend my plan is to make many many loaves of the recipes I've posted this month and the gift giving begins. My thought is that each gift will contain three mini loaves. I'm a little stumped about how to present them cleverly. Jessica suggested baking boxes, which I like, but need to locate and don't want to spend too much money on. If anyone has any thoughts, please share them — I'm open.

From the weird files:

This is a blanket with sleeves. It's called a Snuggie and Jake wants one for Hanukkah. No way am I purchasing one of these but since I've never seen one in person I'm having some trouble figuring out how to make it. Anyone?

We're in snow day mode here and this Mama can't wait. My plans involve taking Quinn for his first snow walk and serving hot cocoa to Jake while he sits at the kitchen table in his long johns and wet clothes dry on the heater — pink cheeks all around. I'm heading into the garage now to look for the sled. If I'm not back in a few hours, send in the troops!

Oh, one more thing: happy birthday Niall. I love you.

Comments

[MichelleB]

My girls crack up everytime this commercial comes on, and are MORTIFIED that anyone would get one. However, my middle dd's girlfriend showed up a water polo tournament with one that her grandfather had purchased for her. While it was great for a laugh, it was not very wide, and didn't look to be great fabric. I'd suggest you try to make your own. Here's one pattern http://www.using-sewing-machines.com/Sleeve_Blanket.html I'm sure there are other tutorials out there - but when I search, I mostly see ads for the snuggie. Good luck!

[MystikMomma]

Enjoy the snow for us!!!!! We are trying to not put on the AC here. (I know poor us, but remember in the summer, it is hotter than you can imagine with a humidity that will make you feel as if you are melting! I would rather put on clothes to stay warm then wish I could lie naked on a bed of ice!)

[sarah]

Ha ha!! My mother-in-law bought one of those for my husband- he wears it all the time, much to my disgust! It trails along behind him and is full of static!

[jacquie]

oh my...my hubby and i have seen the commercial for this...i think in private, snuggling on the couch it would be ok, but in public...not a chance! thanks for the recipe...this looks wonderful.

[jessica]

Aren't snow days the best-I had one today as well. I think green pepper patterns (they make tons of polar fleece patterns) might have a pattern for something similar...good luck!

[Niall]

Thanks for my birthday cupcakes, I love you too.

[Andrea]

Happy B-day to Niall! If cupcakes were involved, I am sure it was fabulous! Snugglie ideas? totally stumped! Bread presentation ideas? Hmmmmm...wrapped in foil with pretty ribbons (metallic + color = festive), stacked into a holiday wine bag (would they fit???), tied together in a pyramid, lined up side by side with one ribbon around them, on a small cutting board (or just wrapping paper wrapped cardboard) to give a sturdy base...some thoughts. Don't know that they are the most ingenious...but some ideas at least.

Hope you had a great snow day. And BTW, while I am working to notice the beauty around me, the slushing snow in the city today is pretty gross. :)