Pumpkin Bread with Pumpkin Buttercream

This weekend I had some pumpkin puree sitting in my 'fridge just begging to be baked into something. After a brief recipe search online decided to try this recipe. I was not disappointed. The bread is perfect by itself. Not overly sweet or pumpkin-y and just the thing to pair with a cafe con leche. It'd be good sliced, toasted, and slightly buttered with a touch of honey as well! But, I had enough pumpkin and couldn't resist making the Pumpkin Buttercream Frosting! It's a perfectly thick buttercream with a hint of pumpkin and cinnamon.

I threw some pecans in a small Pampered Chef stoneware baker and toasted them in the microwave before sprinkling them over the top of the frosted loaf. It was the perfect treat to send to school for my daughters teacher on this overcast and chilly Monday morning. I hope you'll enjoy it as well!

PUMPKIN BREAD

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1 1/4 cups canned pure pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup chopped, toasted pecans or walnuts, optional (I didn’t add the nuts to the batter, but sprinkled them on top of the frosted loaf instead)

Position your oven rack in the middle of the oven, and preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 x 5″ loaf pan; set aside.
Combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and allspice in a medium bowl and whisk until thoroughly combined; set aside.
In another bowl, or bowl of an electric mixer, beat eggs on medium-high speed for two minutes or until lightened in color. Add the brown sugar, mixing for about 2 minutes, then the granulated sugar, mixing for about 1 minute. Add the orange and lemon zests, if using, and beat for another minute. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
Drizzle in the canola oil with beater on medium-low. Reduce speed to low and add the pumpkin puree. Mix until thoroughly combined. Add the dry ingredients in two additions and blend for 10-15 seconds just until incorporated. Fold in the pecans using a rubber spatula.
Spoon the batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool loaf in pan for 10 to 15 minutes, then remove and cool completely on a wire rack.
If you’re going to frost the loaf, you can make the frosting while the loaf is cooling…

PUMPKIN BUTTERCREAM FROSTING 

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 Tablespoons canned pure pumpkin puree
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons half & half or milk
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, optional, for sprinkling on top

Cream the butter, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, and vanilla, blending well. Add powdered sugar a cup at a time, blending well after each addition. Add half & half or milk and blend well. NOTE: This makes a very thick buttercream frosting. If you want a thinner, creamier frosting, add more half & half or milk until you get the desired consistency.