I know. Autumn doesn’t officially start for another 2.5 weeks. But Saturday was the first day since back-to-school and football season started where the temperature in Chicago was below 70 degrees! Many of my friends could not dread this more, but I absolutely love cooler weather. The combination of bright sunshine, vibrant blue sky, and a chill in the air gets me in the mood to bake! That, and to wear sweaters and scarves again…
Anyway, I recently recorded an episode of America’s Test Kitchen, and while I don’t particularly care for the pointless Chris Kimball and his obnoxious demeanor, I do find the female hosts rather entertaining. The episode I recorded featured this walnut pumpkin bread. I wasn’t planning on baking this for myself since I’m not down with pumpkin, but I was going to visit my friend who LOVES pumpkin bread. Seriously. She would buy this stuff so frequently at Starbucks that she could tell when they changed the recipe. (She wrote a letter of complaint and received a ton of free Starbucks coupons. Though, I don’t think they changed the recipe back to the original.)
Back to the bread. This is a pretty simple recipe, and you end up combining all the ingredients in the same pot where you cook the canned pumpkin. The smells from all the spices give your house a heavily scented, home-y aroma. And, the streusel topping is a fun twist. Although I usually don’t care for ATK recipes (they seem a bit joyless from the meticulous amount of testing done), this recipe was right on the money as the bread was a hit with my friend and her family! That being said, I’ll eschew my displeasure of ATK recipes when it’s one I don’t normally make, like pumpkin bread.
Pumpkin Bread
(from America’s Test Kitchen)
Makes 2 loaves (or 1 lg loaf and 3 mini loaves)
Topping
5 tbsp packed (2 1/4 ounces) light brown sugar
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt
Bread
2 c (10 ounces) all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 (15-ounce) can unsweetened pumpkin puree
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1 c (7 ounces) granulated sugar
1 c packed (7 ounces) light brown sugar
1/2 c vegetable oil
4 oz cream cheese, cut into 12 pieces
4 lg eggs
1/4 c buttermilk
1 c walnuts, toasted and chopped fine
Instructions
1. FOR THE TOPPING: Using fingers, mix all ingredients together in bowl until well combined and topping resembles wet sand; set aside.
2. FOR THE BREAD: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 8 1/2 by 4 1/2-inch loaf pans. Whisk flour, baking powder, and baking soda together in bowl.
3. Combine pumpkin puree, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in large saucepan over medium heat. Cook mixture, stirring constantly, until reduced to 1Β½ cups, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove pot from heat; stir in granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, and cream cheese until combined. Let mixture stand for 5 minutes. Whisk until no visible pieces of cream cheese remain and mixture is homogeneous.
4. Whisk together eggs and buttermilk. Add egg mixture to pumpkin mixture and whisk to combine. Fold flour mixture into pumpkin mixture until combined (some small lumps of flour are OK). Fold walnuts into batter. Scrape batter into prepared pans. Sprinkle topping evenly over top of each loaf. Bake until skewer inserted in center of loaf comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Let breads cool in pans on wire rack for 20 minutes. Remove breads from pans and let cool for at least 1Β½ hours. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Sep 08, 2014 @ 21:18:39
Love pumpkin bread! Never had it with a streusel topping before. Fall is in the air here in CA too. Cool mornings and evenings, and beautiful afternoons. My favorite time of year.
Sep 08, 2014 @ 21:45:14
Totally agree that autumn and winter baking is always a comforting thing to do… Nice pumpkin bread… I’m sure that you will enjoy lots of baking in the coming cooler weather.
Sep 08, 2014 @ 22:23:32
Pumpkin bread is my fav too:-)
Sep 08, 2014 @ 23:05:46
I am one of those that is not happy that fall is here π¦ I love summer and being warm! I do however like the fall food – this looks amazing.
Sep 09, 2014 @ 00:49:54
Looks lovely!!!!
Sep 09, 2014 @ 02:15:11
I’m with you on Chris Kimball, the women on the show, and cool weather. Great minds think alike. =)
Sep 09, 2014 @ 02:52:05
I think we all swing in the pumpkin rhythm! Delicious bread!
Sep 09, 2014 @ 03:18:44
Wonderful bread! Is it pumpkin season ALREADY?!
Sep 09, 2014 @ 03:23:54
this looks and sounds so good! I will give it a try π
Sep 09, 2014 @ 05:53:45
Whooo-Hooooo!!! It’s FALLL!!! I too love this time of year and this pumpkin bread is the signal of the fall season! I’ve always been a fan of ATK and their cooks are very enjoyable but I never really noticed Chris Kimball’s (as you put it so well!) “obnoxios demeanor” before until you mentioned it! HA!!
Sep 09, 2014 @ 06:21:34
I am a summer person. I actually feel a sadness when the weather starts to get cool, even though I love fallβ¦itβs the winter that I dread!
Love your pumpkin bread, it is a perfect welcome to the fall like weather! Enjoy!
Sep 09, 2014 @ 07:25:50
I wish I could welcome fall weather, but it will happen one day! Love your pumpkin bread recipe!!!
Sep 09, 2014 @ 07:36:50
I love pumpkin breads!
Sep 09, 2014 @ 09:03:17
Hi YC, looks nice and it sure is yummy. I love pumpkin and this pumpkin bread is definitely a keeper π
Sep 09, 2014 @ 10:58:10
I’m ready for fall baking! Walnuts add great texture and flavor! Yummy recipe!
Sep 09, 2014 @ 14:55:33
I love fall and I love Pumpkin bread. I am making this bread soon:)
Sep 09, 2014 @ 15:21:16
This looks like a great recipe. I love the cream cheese in it! Starbucks never sent me coupons when I complained!
Sep 09, 2014 @ 15:30:20
Welcome, indeed! Love pumpkin too =)
Sep 09, 2014 @ 15:43:38
I love the cooler weather, too, Yummy. My favorite time of year. This pumpkin bread looks rich and delicious.
Sep 09, 2014 @ 15:53:32
yes to fall weather! I love pumpkin bread- i already am craving my pumpkin latte from starbucks! this bread looks amazing
Sep 09, 2014 @ 17:33:36
I always think of fall as starting at the beginning of September too. And I love cool, cloudy weather π
This looks delicious!
Sep 09, 2014 @ 19:59:43
I’m looking forward to the cooler weather as well! Your pumpkin bread looks good. π
Sep 10, 2014 @ 12:35:21
Wow, delicious pumpking bread!
Sep 10, 2014 @ 13:02:56
oh and here in Chile we are starting Spring in a couple of days, I can’t wait to get warmer! pumpkin everything I love pumpkin! π
Sep 10, 2014 @ 16:25:18
Lovely pumpkin bread. I don’t like the cold at all and am so glad our days are warming up xx
Sep 10, 2014 @ 20:12:46
I am not looking forward to cooler weather, not yet. Your pumpkin bread looks yummy.
Sep 10, 2014 @ 20:20:43
Lovely loaf! I can’t wait for the fall weather to come!
Sep 10, 2014 @ 23:24:58
It’s a great recipe to start this season! Looks delicious! π
Sep 11, 2014 @ 04:12:38
I am leaving the fall behind, but I am certainly happy with the spring coming up π I would make this loaf regardless!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Sep 11, 2014 @ 07:41:31
This is a perfect way to usher in the fall!
Sep 11, 2014 @ 08:29:43
Pumpkin Bread! Oh Yum! I too love the stuff!!! Thanks for sharing…
Sep 11, 2014 @ 13:54:36
I think I smell the pumpkin, and cinnamon and cloves and nutmeg in this bread – mmm!
Sep 11, 2014 @ 19:17:50
This looks awesome! Would love a big slice of it with my tea!
Sep 11, 2014 @ 22:53:33
Definitely has the flavours of autumn. Looks yummy too!
Sep 12, 2014 @ 09:55:50
I could not agree more! I love the cooler weather and fall is my favorite time of the year. Your bread looks amazing. Good thing you made 2 loaves one for now and freeze one for later…
Sep 12, 2014 @ 15:45:48
This looks absolutely great!
Sep 13, 2014 @ 21:24:07
Looks delicious! Must get out some pumpkin!
Sep 14, 2014 @ 09:00:55
I love pumpkin bread but like you, I never make it unless it’s Autumn. To be honest, it’s only when it’s Autumn in the northern hemisphere. Maybe it’s my yankeeness – pumpkin comes before Halloween and ends just after Thanksgiving. Regardless where you live in the world. π
Sep 14, 2014 @ 12:25:02
well sound about right Ive never tasted it
Sep 14, 2014 @ 15:00:50
Gosh I’m so excited for Fall weather you have no idea! I just baked a banana bread this week but now I have to make this pumpkin bread too! YUM!
Sep 15, 2014 @ 14:56:11
Nice and simple recipe, definitely will make this next time I have spare pumpkins. I have to puree them my self though π
Sep 15, 2014 @ 18:37:32
OMG! Autumn? Here feels pretty summer…and I am not ready for the cold weather…the pumpkin bread looks terrific…
Have a great week π
Sep 15, 2014 @ 20:10:03
It’s never too early to start baking fall staples. Love pumpkin bread!
Sep 15, 2014 @ 21:30:51
haha – I love your honest take on ATK recipes. I’m glad this recipe worked out well. I am not into pumpkin baked goods myself but so many are and I’ve heard of the wonder of the Starbucks one…it’s entirely possible that recipe changed since the raves I’d heard were years ago…
Sep 16, 2014 @ 06:40:41
This looks like a great idea for pumpkin (something I’m not particularly down with either). Will have to fiddle about converting the recipe but might give it a go!
Sep 16, 2014 @ 10:30:39
What a lovely recipe. I so look forward to fall baking and I’ll bookmark this.I don’t have a recipe which includes cream cheese. I may have to wait a little while, though…our temps are averaging 105 degrees. You read that right! It is supposed to get to 108 today. I’m melting. No baking quite yet. π
Sep 16, 2014 @ 13:24:16
Hope you saved me some π
Emma http://www.fluffandfripperies.com
Sep 16, 2014 @ 14:27:00
Omg, this looks heavenly. And I love me some pumpkin this time of year.
Sep 17, 2014 @ 07:36:21
What a yummy perfect autunm treat!
Sep 17, 2014 @ 12:36:14
It certainly feels like autumn here in New Hampshire. A slice of the pumpkin bread and an afternoon cup of tea would be perfect.
Sep 18, 2014 @ 03:47:57
Great pumpkin bread especially appropriate for the season!
Sep 18, 2014 @ 11:41:56
Pumpkin bread sounds so good, it’s definitely American and really ought to catch on more here. Mind you, none of the pumpkins we planted came to anything this year π¦
Sep 19, 2014 @ 09:14:02
Perfect for fall weather!!
Sep 21, 2014 @ 10:16:09
Looks great!! Pumpkin bread is so gooood!
Sep 21, 2014 @ 23:08:00
Wow.. this sounds amazing, I’d love to smell this baking in my kitchen.. bookmarking it for later this week:D
Sep 27, 2014 @ 20:33:49
Haha Chris Kimball drives me nuts too. π The bread looks awesome!
Sep 27, 2014 @ 23:46:54
I made a pumpkin loaf as well.. don’t you just love the flavors of pumpkin spice and fall?xx
Sep 30, 2014 @ 18:46:24
Your pumpkin bread looks great! I love fall and all things pumpkin!! π
Oct 01, 2014 @ 11:06:29
I’m so happy that pumpkin season is here!
Oct 03, 2014 @ 15:09:01
Very fall-like indeed! Love the topping.
Oct 06, 2014 @ 12:20:04
This looks so delicious and comforting and perfect for the cooler weather π