Pumpkin Bread

Made for Samhain Celebration 2006

This is not a loaf - which is what a pumpkin bread usually is (a cakey loaf) - this is a yeast bread, made by magical hands for a magical celebration! Works very well as offering bread and is best served with butter (apple butter recommended!).

You Need:

• 2 packages/.50 ounces/3 teaspoons of active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup of warm water (not hot and not cold! You don't want to scare the yeasties!)
• 1/2 teaspoon of sugar
• 3/4 cup of warm milk (!)
• 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup of canned or cooked pumpkin
• 3 Tablespoons of butter or margarine, melted
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves
• 4 cups of all-purpose flour (more if you like a heavier bread like me)
  

Directions:

• Dissolve the yeast in the warm water using a mixing bowl. Sprinkle the sugar in it and leave it for five minutes.
• Add the milk, brown sugar, pumpkin, butter, salt, spices, and 2 cups of the flour.
• Beat it until smooth, then stir in more flour to form a soft dough.
• Turn the ball of dough onto a floured surface and knead it until smooth and not sticky.
• Place the ball of dough in a greased bowl, and turn it so the grease covers the whole ball.
• Cover the bowl with a dish cloth and leave it in a dark, warm, quiet place for an hour.
• Uncover the bowl - the dough should be doubled in size now. Give it a good punch.
• Place it back onto the floured surface and either divide it into smaller loaves, buns, or one big loaf.
  
• Place the dough in greased baking pan(s) and bake at 350 degrees F. for 15-20 minutes.
• Depending on the size of your loaves or buns, you may have to adjust the baking time, so keep your eye on the oven!
  
  

-Marylin Houle