Mema's Pumpkin Bread
Recipes that are passed down from generation to generation simply taste better. This one began with my husband’s grandmother “Mema”. Full of flavor and spices like cinnamon and ginger, this ooey gooey fall and winter bread will be an instant classic for your family.
Truth be told, I am not a “baker” so if I can make this pumpkin bread, so can you. Ever since 2014, I have had the pleasure of eating this delicious loaf with my (now) husband’s family every holiday season. It’s just…special.
The other great thing about this holiday recipe is that there’s no fussiness. You don’t even need an electric mixer. You just dump the dry ingredients and then add the wet ingredients into one bowl. Then bake. Your entire home will smell like cinnamon and cloves - delish!
How to Make mema’s pumpkin bread:
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Then boil about 2 cups of water. In a large mixing bowl, add your dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, sugar, cloves, all spice, and ginger. When the water is boiling, take off heat and add the raisins to the water to “plump up”.
Mix the dry ingredients well, then add in your wet ingredients: olive oil, eggs, drained raisins, and pumpkin. You have some freedom with how much pumpkin you want to add. You can add anywhere from 1-3 cups. I prefer around 2 cups, and I roast the pumpkins I have leftover from Halloween in the oven with some oil and cinnamon and use that flesh. If you don’t have the time, canned pumpkin works just fine!
Lastly, add in the walnuts. Mix the batter well, then add to greased 4x8 loaf pans. Fill a little more than halfway.
Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Serve warm with butter.
mema’s pumpkin bread Recipe tips & tricks
Add Cream Cheese Frosting: if you want to bake it more like a cake, you can bake in larger pan, then add cream cheese frosting for an easy festive dessert.
Use as a Gift: looking for a festive holiday gift for neighbors and friends? We have made some extra loaves in red, green, or gold loaf pans - then wrap in plastic wrap, add a ribbon and voila!
more yum:
HI THERE, I'M APRIL AND WELCOME TO MY KITCHEN!
Cooking for the people I love brings me so much joy. I hope you enjoy some of my favorite recipes, tips & tricks, plus some laughs along the way. Everything is cooked with love in Sammamish, WA. Keep in touch!
More Favorite #fromaprilskitchen Recipes
mema’s pumpkin bread
Prep Time: 30 mins | Cook Time: 55 mins | Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
Full of flavor and spices like cinnamon and ginger, this ooey gooey fall and winter bread will be an instant classic for your family.
Ingredients
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 c raisins (soak in hot water)
1 c walnuts
2 2/3 c flour
1 cup olive oil
3 c cane sugar
4 large eggs
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp all spice
1 tsp ground ginger
2 cups pumpkin puree or roasted pumpkin flesh
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Combine dry ingredients and mix thoroughly in a large mixing bowl
Add in the rest of the wet ingredients
Fill greased loaf pans a little more than halfway
Bake 55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean
Let cool, slice and serve warm with butter
Makes 2-3 loaves
EQUIPMENT
