Pinspired Pumpkin Bread

Does anyone else get sucked in by the vortex that is Pinterest? I could sit and browse, er pin, for hours! I have created many boards related to my interests such as fitness, chocolate, and most recently, pumpkin. Until a couple of weeks ago, I never actually made anything I pinned. It's almost the middle of October and I have been craving all things pumpkin. So, I decided I'd try a recipe for pumpkin cranberry bread that I had pinned last month.

I modified the recipe to make it a bit healthier and it turned out great! The original recipe called for three cups (!) of white flour. I used 1.5 cups white and 1.5 cups whole wheat flour. I also reduced the the sugar to two cups and replaced two whole eggs with two egg whites. If you're a pumpkin fan, I urge you to make this soon!

Pumpkin Cranberry Bread
Adapted from www.verybestbaking.com

1.5 cups all-purpose flour
1.5 cups whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 cups granulated sugar plus 2 tablespoons
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie mix)
2 large eggs, 2 large egg whites
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup orange juice or water
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease and flour two 9 x 5-inch loaf pans.

PULSE cranberries with 1 tablespoon sugar (in blender or food processor). until the cranberries are almost broken down completely. You could also chop the berries then combine with the sugar.

COMBINE flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Combine sugar, pumpkin, eggs, oil and juice in large mixer bowl; beat until just blended. Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Fold in cranberries. Spoon batter into prepared loaf pans.  Sprinkle remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar over the loaves.

BAKE for 60 to 65 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Recipe makes two loaves.

FOR THREE 8 x 4-INCH LOAF PANS:
PREPARE as above. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes.

FOR FIVE OR SIX 5 x 3-INCH MINI-LOAF PANS:
PREPARE as above. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes.

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