Simple At Home

Fall is in full swing here already. The crisp cool air feels so good and has me in the mood for all things pumpkin and apple. One thing we like to make in the fall is quick breads like this chocolate chip pumpkin bread. Quick bread is easy to make and makes a great snack, dessert, or quick breakfast addition. This one tastes so good with fresh butter or homemade cinnamon butter. This pumpkin bread is the companion to these chocolate chip pumpkin cookies. The kids just love when we have fun treats around the house and I love when I can whip more than one thing up at a time with a batch of ingredients. This means we can use the same mixing bowls for only one clean up. While this makes a great breakfast bread there are so many great options for pumpkin breakfast foods. Like pumpkin pancakes and pumpkin pie spice syrup. If you wanna have a little fun this bread makes a great chocolate chip pumpkin french toast! How to make quick chocolate chip pumpkin bread What you need for pumpkin bread with chocolate chips :: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened :: 2 cups granulated sugar :: 2 large eggs :: 15 ounce can pumpkin puree :: 2 cups all-purpose flour :: 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon :: 1 teaspoon ground cloves :: 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg :: 1 teaspoon baking powder :: ½ teaspoon baking soda :: ½ teaspoon salt :: 1 cups chocolate chips :: 1 cup chopped pecans, optional How to make chocolate chip pumpkin bread Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease or spray (with non-stick cooking spray) two standard sized bread pans. Beat the butter with a handheld or stand mixer until creamy and then add in the sugar and beat until nicely mixed. Add in eggs and pumpkin puree and mix to combine. In a separate mixing bowl, mix all dry ingredients, except the chocolate chips and nuts. Slowly incorporate them into the wet ingredients mixing as you go. Add in the chocolate chips and pecans, reserving a small amount for the top of the loaves. Pour batter into bread pans and bake for 65-70 minutes. Tips for perfect Pumpkin bread Quick bread-like this pumpkin bread are great for when you want homemade sweetbreads but do not want the work of traditional bread that requires kneading. Quick bread is easy and can be mixed up and tossed into the oven. For the best quick-rising pumpkin bread be sure to use a fresh box of baking soda or baking soda that has been stored in an airtight container. Do not over stir your pumpkin bread. This can activate the leveling before baking and leave your bread falling flat. To make this work mix your dry and wet ingredients separately and then combine until smoothe. Be careful to measure liquids. Too much liquid can make your pumpkin bread cave in the center. Other things that can cause your bread to fall flat are too little baking soda or baking powder or letting your batter sit too long after mixing before placing in the oven. Pumpkin bread mix hacks Want to make this bread even easier? Start with a box of pumpkin bread mix. these go on sale this time of year and are perfect for bakers who do not have a lot of extra time. Simply use your pumpkin bread base with chocolate chips to get the same flavor. If you want to take your pumpkin bread mix up a notch add some crushed walnuts, a dash of pumpkin pie spice, or some dark spiced rum to your mix. Looking for ideas to serve this amazing pumpkin quick bread with chocolate chips? The good new is that this amazing bread is perfect for many uses and you can never go wrong with keeping it stocked for the holiday season. Cream Cheese Frosting or Whipped Cream: Spread a layer of cream cheese frosting or serve a dollop of whipped cream on top of each slice. Butter or Margarine: Simple but effective, a pat of butter or margarine can complement the flavors of the bread. Cinnamon Butter: Mix some cinnamon and sugar into softened butter to create a flavorful spread. Maple Syrup: Drizzle a little maple syrup on top for added sweetness and flavor that really makes yoru pumpkin bread stand out. Nut Butter: Peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter can add a creamy, nutty contrast. Yogurt: A dollop of Greek yogurt, vanilla yogurt, or even pumpkin-flavored yogurt can be a nice addition. Fresh Fruit: Slices of banana, apple, or pear can provide a fresh and juicy contrast. Nuts or Seeds: Sprinkle some chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) or seeds (like pumpkin seeds) for added texture. Chopped Chocolate or Chocolate Sauce: If you really love chocolate, you can add more by sprinkling some chopped chocolate or drizzling chocolate sauce. Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream can make this dessert-like pumpkin bread even more indulgent. Honey or Agave Nectar: A drizzle of honey or agave can add a touch of natural sweetness. Warm Spiced Syrup: Simmer some maple syrup with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and a bit of nutmeg for a warm, spiced accompaniment. Cheese: A mild, creamy cheese like cream cheese or Brie can be a surprising but delightful pairing. Savory Spreads: If you want to balance the sweetness, try a mild cheese spread, like cream cheese mixed with herbs. Tea or Coffee: A warm beverage like herbal tea, chai, or a latte can be a comforting complement. I love to dip my pumpkin bread into the coffee. This time of year I really love all things pumpkin and when I make it my kids go crazy for it. I am seriously thinking about making some pumpkin cake doughnuts with this base recipe if I can find my doughnut pan.