Pumpkin Cranberry Bread

Pumpkin is going to be with us for the next two months and I want to capitalize on all that it has to offer.  As I start to plan my Thanksgiving feast, in my head, I take into consideration all the wonderful flavors of the season; pumpkin, chestnuts, sweet potatoes, corn, cranberries, brussel sprouts, citrus, apples, pears, pecans, baby squash, beets, and so much more.

I like my Thanksgiving table to be colorful, festive and tasty.  I have my trusty favorites;

cranberry-raspberry sauce

beet-pear puree

roasted brussel sprouts

pecan pie

pumpkin praline pie

However, each year, I try to create new dishes.  Right after Halloween (like now), I start to mull through magazines (new and old), cook books, the Internet, and my friend's blogs. Each year, I like to try new potato dishes, vegetables, biscuits, savory puddings, breads, and quick breads.  I came across this recipe on Molly's blog,  Orangette, and ironically I had this recipe earmarked in one of my books, The New Joy of Cooking.  It was a sign.  I had to try it.

I had a bit of left over pumpkin puree in the fridge and this was a great way for it to not go to waste.  I love making quick breads and muffins.  Generally, when making both of these, one could easily use things found in your very own pantry.  It is a great way to whip up an after school snack, a quick early morning breakfast for the kids and both really take no time at all.

I love this bread.  The original recipe called for golden raisins, but I immediately knew I wanted to replace the raisins with cranberries. The pumpkin flavor is not overwhelming, the cranberries add just the right tartness and the hazelnuts add the perfect crunch.  This is not only going to be a staple in our home this holiday season, but I already see it wrapped and packaged as gifts for friends and neighbors.  

Pumpkin Bread with Hazelnuts + Cranberries

adapted from The New Joy of Cooking

1 9" loaf 

ingredients:

1 1/2 cups unbleached flour

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. ground ginger

1 tsp. table salt

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

1 1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/3 cup water

1/2 tsp. vanilla

6 Tbls. unsalted butter, room temperature

1 1/3 cup succanat

2 large eggs, room temperature

1 cup pumpkin puree, room temperature

1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts, toasted

1/2 cup fresh cranberries

instructions:

• preheat oven to 350*.  Butter a 9 x 5" loaf pan(I used an 8 x 4" loaf pan and two small paper loaf pans).

• whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, baking powder. set aside.

• in another bowl, mix the water and the vanilla.  

• in a the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter until creamy. beat in the sugar until combined and just blended.  add the eggs, one at a time.  add the pumpkin puree and beat on low speed until blended.

• add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the water/vanilla mixture in the two parts.

• scrape down the sides of the bowl and then fold in the hazelnuts and the cranberries.

• pour batter into the prepared pans.

• bake the 8" loaf for about 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.

• bake the mini loaves for about 22-28 minutes.

• let cool on rack for about 15 minutes.

• turn the loaves out onto the wire rack and let cool completely.

I actually made several of these and froze them, individually.  Next week I have a breakfast meeting to go to and I plan on taking one of these out of the freezer the night before and reheating, slightly the following morning.  This beats dunkin doughnuts any day of the week!

Dories Great Grain Muffins

Big field trip today.  My favorite field trip. The whole 3rd grade class( 110 kids) goes downtown for a walking tour of famous landmarks and special spots.

It's a long day. There will be lots of walking, lots of talking and lots of 8-9 year olds.  I decided to get up early and bake some muffins for the adults. They need to start their day off right and I can think of nothing better than a homemade muffin to do the trick.  Dorie Greenspan has a super simple muffin recipe in Baking, from my home to yours.  A Great Grain Muffin with lots of good stuff in them.  I hope these little treats will be a good start to a long, long day.

Here's the days agenda:
9:15 a.m. start at the Mission Church on Main street
9:45 a.m. cross the street to Union Station, talk about the architecture, California tile, etc.
10:15 a.m. observe the artifacts at the Vignes Ave. end of the station
10:30 a.m. board the train for a ride on the Red Line, exiting at Pershing Square.  We will observe Bunker Hill and then head over to  ( my personal favorite ), Grand Central Market. Have a snack, buy some treats and then head over to the Bradbury Building.  After a brief history lesson, walk past City Hall and then end up back at El Pueblo Historic Park.
12:00 p.m. meet at the Plaza for a tour of all the special spots
12:30 p.m. lunch time
1:00 p.m. tour of Olvera Street
2:15 p.m. head back to school

Great Grain Muffins
adapted from Dorie Greenspan
yield 12 muffins

ingredients:
2/3 cup all purpose flour ( the original recipe called for 1 cup)
2/3 cup whole wheat flour ( the original recipe called for 1/3 cup)
1/3 cup yellow cornmeal
1/3 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
2 large eggs
1 stick ( 4 oz. ) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
3/4 cup plump fruit or nuts ( I used dried figs and next time I would add more fruit )

instructions:
• preheat oven to 400*.  spray muffin trays and place the pan on a baking sheet
• in a large bowl, combine and whisk flour, whole wheat flour, cornmeal, oats, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, + salt.  In another bowl whisk together the buttermilk, maple syrup, eggs, + melted butter.  pour the liquid into the dry ingredients and whisk quickly to blend.  stir in the fruit or nuts
• bake 18-20 minutes our until the tops are golden.  cool for 5 minutes, then take out of pan and cool completely.
• serve with butter, cream cheese, jam or a slice of cheese!

Isaac's favorite part of the day; shopping!

a few of the landmarks

kids aren't tired, but the parents are!