PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP BREAD

*you can also omit the chocolate chips and this is great as a stand alone pumpkin bread

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups all purpose Flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp ground nutmeg

2 cups white sugar

1 & 1/2 sticks (3/4 cups) of unsalted butter, softened

2 large eggs

1 can (15oz) pumpkin – I used an organic brand

one bag of chocolate chips

Extra flour and butter for greasing bread pans

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Grease (2) 9 x 5 bread pans with butter and then dust lightly with flour – yes this makes a difference!

In one bowl combine flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves and whisk together – set aside

In second bowl combine softened butter and sugar and beat until light and fluffy with an electric mixer

Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each one

Add can of pumpkin and continue mixing – it looks a little grainy after this addition but that’s normal

Add dry mixture from bowl 1 into wet mixture bowl and continue mixing all together until blended well.

Fold in the chocolate chips – gently with a wooden or silicone utensil

Spoon equal amounts into each bread pan, spreading with a spatula so it’s not lumpy.

Bake for around 50-60 minutes but start checking at 45, or until fork comes out dry in center of the loaf.

Let cool