Edible Gift

The Pumpkin Bread I Can't Stop Eating

by:
December 23, 2013

Jenny is in perpetual search for easy, weeknight recipes to attempt to feed her family. When they balk, she just eats more.

Today: A pumpkin bread true to its name.

PUMPKIN bread from Food52

Shop the Story

If you’re on the hook for Christmas morning breakfast and you’re feeling a bit cheeky about the whole thing, how about The Pumpkin Bread I Can't Stop Eating?

While most pumpkin breads tend to be on the drier and heavy side, Giulia Melucci -- as is her wont -- has given this staple a little twist. The result in a highly moist and surprising holiday staple, but one that requires a little extra time in the oven.

This bread has all the traditional spices, but employs olive oil and some apples, which contribute greatly to its moisture. But that also means a fairly long cooking time;I could not get this mama baked in under 90 minutes. So wake up first, please, or make it the night before -- an even better idea.  

The fruit  in this may throw off some purists but keep an open mind. 

 “Is there something in this?” asked one niece.Then a nephew weighed in. “Perfect consistency! It melts in your mouth! I think the secret ingredient is ginger.”  

No. There is no ginger. Maybe nutmeg?

Nuts, as ever, are optional; I would prefer pecans. 

In short, this is a great treat for those who like their pumpkin breads on the moist side, and who enjoy a morning debate about pumpkin breads we have known. Now, we’re moving on to Bûche de Noël.

The Pumpkin Bread I Can't Stop Eating by Giulia Melucci

Makes 1 loaf, 6 to 8 servings

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
2 eggs
1 small can pumpkin (15 ounces)
2 apples, chopped or pureed in a food processor
3/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped 

See the full recipe (and save and print it) here.

Photo by James Ransom

Order now

A New Way to Dinner, co-authored by Food52's founders Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs, is an indispensable playbook for stress-free meal-planning (hint: cook foundational dishes on the weekend and mix and match ‘em through the week).

Order now

See what other Food52 readers are saying.

  • Molly Lee
    Molly Lee
  • Madeline Horrell
    Madeline Horrell
  • AnneonanAdventure
    AnneonanAdventure
  • Judy E Vinals
    Judy E Vinals
  • phyllis
    phyllis
Jestei

Written by: Jestei

The ratio of people to cake is too big.

7 Comments

Molly L. February 3, 2016
Could you use unsweetened apple sauce, and, if so, in what measurement?
 
Madeline H. November 1, 2014
woops, yep, that's what you were saying below. In any case... use the modified version, not this one. :)
 
Madeline H. November 1, 2014
Actually, the original recipe was updated to make a few changes re: the pudding-like consistency. If you click through you'll see the updated recipe that according to comments works a lot better- maybe they can update the version on this page, too.
 
AnneonanAdventure November 1, 2014
I just read the comments on the recipe page for this recipe. It seems that the original recipe had to be modified because it was far too wet. I think these ingredients listed here need to be modified, too, or you're going to end up with a pudding, not a bread.
 
AnneonanAdventure November 1, 2014
I'm confused. On this page, you call for a whole can of pumpkin (15 oz) and 2 apples. But on the recipe page, you call for only 1 cup of pumpkin and 1 apple. That seems like a big difference. Any help on this from the author?
 
Judy E. November 1, 2014
Can an all purpose gluten free flour be used successfully in this recipe?
 
phyllis January 12, 2014
I'm not a pumpkin fan but I was having a brunch for a fair number of people and I wanted a bread like banana bread but not banana bread. I baked this and it's really good. I love the texture, the flavor, well all of it. It's one of the few food items that disappeared. Thanks again, Jenny. And thanks Guilia.