Pumpkin Bread: The Perfect Fall Treat 🎃
Pumpkin bread is more than just a seasonal delight; it’s a warm hug in food form. Packed with the rich flavors of pumpkin spices
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1 packet dry yeast (or 2 tsp)
- 3 1/2 cups flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Step 1: Activate the Yeast
- In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until frothy. This shows that the yeast is active.
- Step 2: Prepare the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, sugar, and pumpkin spice.
- Add the pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, and the frothy yeast mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
- If needed, gradually add more flour until the dough is smooth and slightly sticky but manageable.
- Step 3: Knead the Dough
- Lightly flour a clean surface and turn the dough out onto it. Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it’s elastic and smooth.
- Place the kneaded dough in a bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough into equal portions (about 8-10 pieces).
- Step 4: Shape Pumpkin Bread with Cooking Twine
- Shaping your pumpkin bread with cooking twine not only gives it an adorable pumpkin shape but also adds a rustic touch to your fall baking. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it
- Shape the Dough into Balls:
- Take each piece of dough and roll it into a smooth ball using the palms of your hands. Make sure there are no cracks on the surface for a nice presentation.
- Create the Pumpkin Shape:
- Take a piece of cooking twine (approximately 24-30 inches long) for each ball of dough.
- Place twine in small bowl filled with oil
- Place the twine underneath the dough ball, centering it so that the string will wrap around the center.
- Wrap the Dough:
- Pull the twine up and over the top of the dough ball, creating a loop around it.
- Make sure the twine is tight enough to create indentations but not so tight that it squashes the dough.
- Cross the twine over each other, creating an "X" shape on top of the dough.
- Create the Ridges:
- Continue wrapping the twine around the dough ball, making sure to space the loops apart evenly.
- The twine will create the visible ridges of a pumpkin as it bakes.
- Tie Off the Twine:
- Once you have wrapped the dough ball in twine several times, tie the ends together with a simple knot.
- Let Them Rise Again:
- Place the twine-wrapped dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them with a kitchen towel to let them rise for another 15-20 minutes, allowing the bread to expand and take form.
- Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brush pumpkins with milk and bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove the Twine:
- Once baked and slightly cooled, carefully cut the twine away from the bread. Be gentle to avoid tearing the bread.
- Place cinnamon stick in the middle of every pumping for realistic look.
- Brush some oil for extra shine
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Your beautifully shaped pumpkin bread is now ready to be served!
Video
Notes
Allow the bread to cool for a few minutes before serving. These Cute Pumpkin Breads are delightful on their own or spread with butter, jam, or your favorite spread.