Pumpkin Nut Bread - Pumpkin Tea Loaf

This pumpkin nut bread doesn't have to be made with pumpkin. You can use an equal amount of butternut squash or persimmon or "whatever" puree.

Back in the day (my teens and twenties), nut breads of every stripe were my "thing." Then for some reason they fell by the wayside. Maybe it was when I got into cake decorating. Even though I don't eat frosting, it was the "medium" for my art in those days. But after mastering that, I moved on and haven't decorated a cake in years.

You can make this loaf in a 9x5-inch standard loaf tin, but I make it in a 12x4x2.5-inch tea loaf tin because I like the small slices. I bought it years ago from King Arthur Flour, but they no longer carry it. Now they carry a ceramic tea loaf pan in the same size. I'll list a few links in the recipe directions for similar tins, in case you prefer metal as I do.

I took this to a get-together at a friend's house recently. It was a hit. One of the guests remarked on the wonderful texture and also noted that it was not overly sweet, so that you could actually taste what it was rather than just tasting sugar. Which, of course, is what I always aim for in desserts.

Just looked online to see if my Mikasa 'Margaux' sandwich tray is still available. The pattern was discontinued long ago, but I found a used one at Replacements, Ltd at a much higher price than I paid for it new not long after it was discontinued.

Don't forget to Pin it and share it! 

Pumpkin Nut Bread - Pumpkin Tea Loaf

(Makes one 12x4x2.5-inch tea loaf or one standard 9x5-inch loaf)

1 1/2 dip-and-sweep cups (7.5 ounces/213 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/3 cup (2.67 fluid ounces/79 ml) milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 tablespoons (3 ounces/85 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup (5.25 ounces/149 grams) sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 15-ounce can (7.5 ounces/213 grams, about 7/8 cup) pumpkin puree

1/2 cup (2 ounces/57 grams) chopped pecans

1 Preheat oven to 350F/180C/Gas4. Grease (I use softened butter) and lightly flour one 12x4x2.5-inch tea loaf pan.

Note: Here are some pans I found that are similar to mine: Wilton tea loaf pan and  Westmark tea loaf pan.

2 In small bowl, whisk together flour, soda, cinnamon, salt, ginger, baking powder and cloves.

3 In cup, combine milk and vanilla extract.

4 In mixing bowl, with electric hand mixer, beat butter until creamy, about 30 seconds. Add sugar and beat on high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, about 30 seconds after each. Stir in the pumpkin puree just until blended.

5 Add the flour mixture in 3 parts, alternating with the liquid in 2 parts, stirring until smooth. Fold in nuts.

6 Pour into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for about 55 to 60 minutes. Cool in pan on wire rack for 5 to 10 minutes; remove from pan and continue cooling on wire rack.

Disclosure: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon .com and affiliated sites. We are a ThermoWorks affiliate, earning a small commission at no cost to you on purchases made through our links. This helps cover some of the costs of running the blog. Thank you for your support. 

Jean