There’s no doubt about it, pumpkin is a quintessential flavor of fall. Although I appreciate pumpkin in all its forms, I especially love it in desserts. Pumpkin desserts are no stranger to the Sweet Precision kitchen. In past years I’ve made pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cake, pumpkin cookies, and pumpkin tiramisu. I've even written a post about how to make your own pumpkin pie spice! This year, I’m adding to the lineup with some tasty pumpkin bread that is sure to leave your kitchen smelling divine.
This week marked the four year anniversary for Sweet Precision. I made my first Sweet Precision post on October 4th, 2012. Looking back, Matthew and I were just beginning what would be a one year long distance relationship with him moving to Ann Arbor to start his PhD program. I was continuing to enjoy life in Washington DC, but found myself feeling alone in a city that we had once explored together. I needed something to funnel my newfound spare time into—and a new baking blog was the perfect project.
Since then, it seems as though time has flown. I’ve moved to Ann Arbor, Matthew and I have gotten married, he has completed four years of his PhD program, and we’ve even welcomed a new puppy into our family! In the midst of all this, I've continued baking and blogging.
What an amazing 4 years it’s been. Posts come and go (perhaps not as often as they once did), but what makes this whole blogging experience so amazing is your contribution as readers and followers. Thanks for reading my posts, trying out the recipes, and leaving your thoughtful comments. Here's to another year of baking mishaps and masterpieces in the Sweet Precision kitchen!
Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread
Adapted from All Recipes
Ingredients
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup canola oil
½ cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon allspice
Directions
Adjust oven rack to middle and preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour two 9x5 inch loaf pans.
In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and allspice. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.
Bake for about 60 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Heather's Helpful Hints
Avoid getting rims around the edges of quick bread loaves by greasing the baking pans on the bottom and only ½ inch up the sides.
Sherri
Dearest Heather, I am so glad I visited you on this very special occasion, how wonderful to say many congratulations on your fourth blogging anniversary for Sweet Precision! I have always loved your photographs and was amazed to read on your sidebar that you're self taught! You have a wonderful skill. And of course your delicious and always easy to follow and bake recipes. I have so much enjoyed reading about your special occasions - not least of all your wedding! - during the time we've been blogging together, and even though we have both taken breaks for one reason or another during our blogging years, it is a privilege for me to have found you here as such a dear friend and a very great blessing in my life. Thank you so much <3 xoxo
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Such kind and heartfelt words Sherri! Matthew and I just got back from vacation today and it was such a treat to see your message while getting caught up on my correspondence :) The blogging world really does feel like a family and I’ve loved having you as such a dear friend too! Baking and blogging is a creative outlet for me and sometimes it even feels therapeutic. It’s been fun to look at the progression of photographs and writing over time on my blog! Here’s to many more years of friendship and blogging Sherri! <3 <3
Sherri
Ahh Heather, such a lovely message, thank you! And how exciting to see your pics...what an exciting and wonderful vacation for you both! I look forward to those many more years too, my dear friend! :-) <3 xoxo
Antonia
Congratulations on your blog's anniversary and to 4 years of wonderful life changes. I love your pumpkin bread, and your photos are just beautiful. I am a huge fan of pumpkin bread, and can't wait to try it out. Here's to continued success on your blog my friend!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thank you my dearest Antonia! I'm sure you can relate to the struggles of keeping a blog going sometimes! Sometimes the posts flow freely and other times it's a bit of a struggle! Glad to hear I have another pumpkin bread lover... it's one of my favorites any time of the year :-)
Antonia
Absolutely, it can be very hard sometimes. It is wonderful how supportive our community is! Have a wonderful day :D
Just Add Attitude
Heather congratulations on your fourth blogging birthday, such a lot happened in those four year - a move, a marriage and getting a new puppy. I wish you continued blogging success. I have to confess I hadn't heard of pumpkin bread but it sounds delicious.
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thanks B! It was an adventuresome four years :-) Pumpkin bread is a favorite of mine but the pumpkin could easily be substituted with anything really! I've made it before with sweet potatoes and been happy with the result!
Bernard
Thanks for four years of tasty treats.
Heather @ Sweet Precision
A special note from dad on my blog?! How special :) I know I can always count on you actually *read* my recipes!! What would I do without you?!
Next Stop: TBD
Thank you for the buttering tip and I'm totally with you on the ebbing-and-flowing of blogging. I pretty much still do it for the same reason - the lovely and supportive community! Happy anniversary xoxo
Heather @ Sweet Precision
I'm totally with you, there are months where it's like pulling teeth to get a post together, right?! Here's to many continued years of blogging!
Danielle
Happy Anniversary to a great lady and a great blog :)
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thanks Miss Danielle! I happen to think you're a pretty special lady too :-)
Jess
Congratulations on your blog's anniversary Heather! This bread is everything I love about fall; kinda missing the chilly Michigan autumn weather out here in California ;-)
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Aww. thanks Jess :) You must be having some fabulous weather in Cali! I'm sure you don't miss the MI rain though! Pretty sure it rained for almost 5 days straight last week ;)