Pumpkin Walnut Loaf

It's October 1st, and to me that signals Fall. I'm already thinking about the warm colors that are popping up in my wardrobe and just dying to feel a chill in the air. Pumpkins, hot tea, baking with cinnamon and pumpkin and all of those savory ingredients makes me yearn for that cool breeze. Even the hints of smell in the air that tells me cooler weather is ahead just makes me giddy.

Being a Florida native and never having truly experienced Fall (no raking here!) makes me even more wistful- even more determined to seeing the changes. I even get excited about seeing pumpkins in the stores- it just makes me so happy.

So for me to celebrate, (and to use up some walnuts that have been around for the past couple of weeks) I decided to make a Pumpkin Walnut Loaf. Yes, it is Monday- but it's the 1st!!! I've never celebrated like this before but baking makes me want to make this a tradition. (That's the old-soul in me, I love traditions!)

I searched high and low for a recipe and finally settled on one and made only minor changes since I didn't have every ingredient listed.

Here is the link to Caren Blair's website. She's a bonafied baker! And on that note, I can say- I'm not. I just want to eat stuff that's good for me and I wont feel guilty. (I hate feelin' guilty!)

This is my version:

Caren Blair's Pumpkin Walnut Loaf

1/2 cup butter softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup water
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 1/3 cups rice flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions
Preheat oven to 350F. Butter and flour 1 regular loaf pan. In a mixer, cream softened butter and sugar. In another bowl whisk eggs, vanilla, water, and pumpkin until smooth. Slowly add pumpkin mixture to butter & sugar and beat until fully mixed. In another bowl, mix all dry ingredients together. Add dry ingredients to wet in three separate additions until just combined, but before adding the third portion, mix nuts in before adding. Pour mixture into pan and bake for 30-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Fully cool in pan. (and feel free to a muffin or two so you can enjoy a lot sooner!)

Follow the directions exactly as she states (yes, I did change it to fit my Southern Style just a teensy bit) and voila- smell good home and a warm, happy tummy.

I had to make 2 muffins so that I didn't have to wait so long for a cool down period before trying it. And I had to have a cup of tea with it! ...Oh my word...absolute deliciousness with a spoon full of love mixed in. I'm hooked and so is D, we both sat down and enjoyed/critiqued this together. This will be a repeat.

Hugs,

A.