Pumpkin Loaf – A Friendship Bread

Posted on | October 8, 2007 | 48 Comments |

I made my first bread! While I wouldn’t call it a masterpiece, it didn’t turn out to be a total disaster, in fact it tasted pretty great! In the looks department, it was just okay… the top looked too dry and had some cracks, but the inside was really moist. I am so darn proud of my creation, I had this for dinner the night I made it.

It all started about three weeks ago, when I got an email from a favorite blogger of mine, funny gal Rajitha, inquiring if I wanted some friendship starter. I was a little confused – on one hand there is my lazy side telling me, you are not a baker, you know how much work it is to get these things right? On the other hand, how do you refuse anything that has Friendship in its name… So I said, yeah, bring it on! So it came, the smelly white creamy liquid in a Ziploc bag, with an instruction sheet, and some handwritten notes lovingly attached by Rajitha. I followed the instructions, till the tenth day, when to my horror I discovered that I had screwed it up completely! Well, the details of how exactly I screwed up the batter is too embarrassing a story to share with the world.

I was too embarrassed and mad at myself, then I got an email from another one of my favorite bloggers- Sharmi – asking if I wanted the starter! What a coincidence, it was on the day of the disaster. So I jumped on the bandwagon again, this time swearing to myself that come rain or shine, I am not messing this one up. Within a few days, the starter arrived along with some tasty butter biscuits, which almost made the first screw-up worth it Thanks Sharmi, You’re such a sweetheart!

What is Amish Friendship Starter?

Everyone must’ve already heard about this starter making the rounds in blogosphere… this round started by Mandira of Ahaar. It is like a chain letter, you get a cup of the starter, keep it for ten days, feeding the starter in between, thus increasing the quantity. Keep four cups away before you use the rest in a recipe, keep one cup starter for yourself, and send three portions to three of your friends, and they repeat the process. It is such a cool idea, don’t you think?

Anyway, now back to my own adventure with the bread making process, I wanted to try something fun, that is when I thought of pumpkin bread. Whenever I get time to stop by Starbucks before going to work, my breakfast consists of a slice of their pumpkin loaf and a non-fat latte. So I went looking for a good pumpkin loaf recipe, and came across this one http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Old-Fashioned-Pumpkin-Nut-Loaf/Detail.aspx

I followed the recipe pretty much, halving the ingredients, but of course had to reduce the amount of flour, sugar and milk to accommodate the starter. I was so scared of this part, since a little bit miscalculation, and the whole thing can be ruined. But lucky for me, my math skills helped me here.

Ingredients

1 cup Starter
2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 large egg
1/2 of a 15oz can Pumpkin Puree
1/6 cup brown sugar
1/2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup whole pecans

Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, salt and baking soda in medium bowl. Blend eggs, pumpkin, starter, sugar and vegetable oil in large mixing bowl. Add flour mixture and chopped pecans to the wet ingredients and mix well to combine.

Grease a loaf pan with some vegetable oil/butter. Pour the mixture into the pan, and arrange the whole pecans on top. Bake until a cake tester or a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about an hour. Let stand 10 minutes before unmolding the bread.

Next morning I had a slice for breakfast with my coffee, my favorite combo, right here at home. This picture was taken in natural light, other two were taken in the night. This is the actual color the bread turned out to be. I have no idea how the Starbucks loaf get its brown color! Anyway my bread tasted great, especially since I love pumpkin flavor. It wasn’t too sweet, some might need some additonal sugar in this recipe.

Thanks Rajitha and Sharmi, for inspiring me to bake! I am spreading the joy by sending the starter and the instructions over to three dear friends:

It is in the mail. Hope you girls will have as much fun with it as I did.

Thanks to Nags , I came to know about World Bread Day , it is on October 16th. I am sending my first bread to the event World Bread Day 2007

Category: American, Baked Goods, Breakfast and Brunch, Nuts
Tags: Baking > Bread > Pumpkin Bread

Pin It

Subscribe to RSS

Follow me on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Follow me on Pinterest

« « Spicy Mushroom Stir Fry| Awards, Long due thanks and a Me-Me » »

Comments

48 Responses to “Pumpkin Loaf – A Friendship Bread”

divya and chaya
October 8th, 2007 @ 9:35 pm
Reply

Hi Sig,

thanks 4 visiting our blog! U r a brave girl! We dont even dare to read the baking recipes

I was exactly like that too… take the plunge, its worth it…
sra
October 8th, 2007 @ 10:06 pm
Reply

That slice is such a lovely colour. And it looks like a big loaf, you got that with just 3/4 cup flour? Yes):

thanks sra… its is actually a pretty tiny loaf, made in a small loaf pan where the bread only came up to 3/4th…
Meeta
October 8th, 2007 @ 10:39 pm
Reply

Are you kidding Sig – this looks delish!! I love the vivid color of the bread. Nice one!

Thanks Meeta, I was hoping for brown…but got orange instead…
Jyothsna
October 8th, 2007 @ 11:09 pm
Reply

The bread looks nice and moist inside. I love pumkin cake, tho’ never tried bread. It imparts a great colour!

Thanks Jyo… I love everything pumpkin… but pumpkin bread is my fav…
Rachna
October 9th, 2007 @ 12:32 am
Reply

wow this looks so yummy, want to sink my teeth into this… hmmm am hungry now…. way to go sig…im scared of baking (esp breads)…. u inspire me….

Go for it girl, it is very fulfulling
musy
October 9th, 2007 @ 12:44 am
Reply

Thats one lovely loaf, Sig! i don’t believe that this is your first one

Looks really professionally done, such lovely golden hues!

lol, I couldn’t believe it either , I wouldn’t call it professional though
lissie
October 9th, 2007 @ 12:45 am
Reply

beautiful pictures, lovely bread! six months ago i made this at my sisters place in Dubai.

Thanks lissie…
Srivalli
October 9th, 2007 @ 12:53 am
Reply

Sig that looks wonderful!

Thanks Srivalli!
Cinnamon
October 9th, 2007 @ 1:03 am
Reply

It indeed looks like a master piece, at least for me
I love the color and would relish that!!

masterpiece… U are making me blush girl…
Happy Cook
October 9th, 2007 @ 2:04 am
Reply

Sig they do look moist and delicious. It has beautiful colour.
Next time just sprinkle icing sugar on top then nobody can see the cracks ))
I think it is normal they crack on top.

that is a good idea, will try it next time, thanks HC!
lakshmi
October 9th, 2007 @ 4:29 am
Reply

Love that shade of deep orange – it somehow makes the bread look unique and special

I wasn’t expecting orange, but now that I look at it, it is very pretty
indosungod
October 9th, 2007 @ 4:33 am
Reply

Sig, you got to be kidding and I don’t beleive for a minute this was your first baking experience the bread looks lovely and moist and delicious.

If you had seen it when it came out of the oven, you would have really believed me… but somehow I lucked out and the inside was great
Rajitha
October 9th, 2007 @ 4:56 am
Reply

looks awesome sig Yes): u got it girl ….
So!! i am not a sweetheart

phew… I made it . Of course you are a sweetheart, sweetheart… Flower):
richa
October 9th, 2007 @ 5:15 am
Reply

what a beautiful color, perfect fall color, i might add where r the emoticons when i need them ?
now u’ve baking to add to ur other exceptional skills (like math)

I was feeling pretty bad with just one skill up my sleeves
Asha
October 9th, 2007 @ 5:23 am
Reply

That looks gorgeous for a first time baker! Isn’t baking soothing, lot better than frying and chopping etc?

I am sure next time it will be soothing, this time I was sitting in front of the oven staring at it for one hour
Laavanya
October 9th, 2007 @ 6:35 am
Reply

Lovely looking bread and I like how you have pecans studded on the crust.

Thanks Laavanya, I can never get enough nuts in the storebought breads, so I really went “nuts” with it
nandita
October 9th, 2007 @ 6:52 am
Reply

You are rocking sweetie…great bread! And 5 stars for trying it out.

Thank you darling… I wanted to send you some starter, but didn’t know how the customs will react to the smelly liquid
shilpa
October 9th, 2007 @ 6:57 am
Reply

Wow Sig..your bread looks great. I messed up my first batch of starter (I will post abt it soon). For the first timer, you did a great job Yes):

oh thank god, so I am not the only one who messed it up … can’t wait to see what u did with it, you are already such an accomplished baker!
sharmi
October 9th, 2007 @ 6:58 am
Reply

waaw the pumpkin puree gave that color to the bread? looks so lovely!! very nice looking bread. thanks for the mention!

Thanks for the starter Sharmi… I am so glad I tried this…
Padma
October 9th, 2007 @ 7:27 am
Reply

Such a lovely and colorful bread, you know Sig, I first thought of baking pumpkin bread but then switched to Zucchini. Yeah I too agree on this, its worth the trial on baking those chain starter… I am now totally indulged myself into baking thanks to AFB!

You have spent so much time on your bread Padma, you rock! I am too lazy to do a day of prep work
Mishmash!
October 9th, 2007 @ 7:38 am
Reply

Sig, you got good baking skills , atlst that what your creation says It does look moist, especially in the last pic Congrats

Shn

Thanks shn… Skills… I don’t think so… just followed a recipe and prayed … what you do with your cakes, that is skill…
sandeepa
October 9th, 2007 @ 9:01 am
Reply

The last pic is a keeper. Even if you do not ever bake again you can show that to your grandkids to prove that you used tbe “quiet the baker” in your time:)
It looks pretty good to me in the “Looks” dept. Martini): Beer): To you for an achievement

Thats why I didn’t put a big close up of the whole load that wasn’t so good looking
bee
October 9th, 2007 @ 10:05 am
Reply

the starbucks folks probably use molasses to get the brown colour. yours is prettier.

molasses.. Thanks, I will try that next time, love the color of their bread…
Manasi
October 9th, 2007 @ 1:01 pm
Reply

Lookit that!!! looks ly tempting!!!

Thanks Manasi…
remya
October 9th, 2007 @ 2:03 pm
Reply

lovely cake….looks moist too….great color for lovely fall season…

Thanks Remya…
Mythili
October 9th, 2007 @ 3:15 pm
Reply

The instruction manual should also have a clause outlining that every hostess should narrate all (embarassing and not) experiences

That bread looks so moist from the inside and I love the beautiful orange color it had donned.

Who me? You sent it to me? me me me me ???

Thank you for sending it to me…looking forward to baking something as good as you did.

I can’t wait to see what you come up with… and let’s make it the new rule… starting from you… u must narrate your whole experience…how it stunk up your kitchen for ten days, and how you wanted to throw it out in the trash etc
Jenny
October 9th, 2007 @ 3:30 pm
Reply

Thx for the recipe…
Quick Q? Whats a “Starter”?
Jenny
October 9th, 2007 @ 3:30 pm
Reply

Never mind…my bad…just read the entire page now

good you figured it out…
Archana, mama of twins
October 9th, 2007 @ 4:46 pm
Reply

Sig darling,
Your pumpkin bread looks so amazing! Wow the standards I must keep to continue this beautiful concept! Flower):

Thank you so much for thinking of me and now I have to figure out how to take care of this baby!!

Martini):

I’m sure you will come up with something great, can’t wait to see it…
Bharathy
October 9th, 2007 @ 6:35 pm
Reply

That’s the prettiest loaf I had ever seen!!!!The nutty topping with the pumpkin flavour..Love the soft slices!!!

I was one among dear sharmis list too..when she realised that I reside in India..I couldnt get my share.. Unlucky me..

Math skill??No wonder, if you possess the spl skill…a student from KE college Mannanam:idea: is supposed to have too much of it!!! :nerd:

Thanks Bharathy…so you from KE too? were we there at the same time?
Pravs
October 9th, 2007 @ 9:06 pm
Reply

The bread looks lovely ,sig Yes): Yea, the inside looks moist and nice. Nice pics of the bread.

Thanks Pravs!
padmaja
October 10th, 2007 @ 6:18 am
Reply

Sig!! hey hey u should’ve shared the whole disaster as well!! just kidding!!
Love that friendship bread, so moist n vibrant!!!
yummy!!

it is too embarrassing padmaja…
lathanarasimhan
October 10th, 2007 @ 7:53 am
Reply

The bread is looking awesome! I feel so jealous that the circulation is restricted to US
Why dont to try sending to India through some fast courier service!

I wanted to send it to India… But I’ve no idea whether they will pass it through custom… may be the next food blogger travelling to India can take some in their bag I’m sure it will somehow reach there sometime in the near future.
Sivani
October 10th, 2007 @ 11:09 am
Reply

I am so relieved that everything turned out alright for you! You put some extra emotion into the final product

Love the blog, and will be back.

Welcome to my blog Sivani… Thanks for dropping by
zorra
October 11th, 2007 @ 1:00 am
Reply

You can really be proud of your first bread! Yes): My first bread never looked so good as yours.

I hope this is the start of your bread baking career.

Thank you for joining WBD!
Suganya
October 11th, 2007 @ 12:46 pm
Reply

Colour catches my attention. Perfect bread for a crispy fall weather…
Rajeswari
October 12th, 2007 @ 12:37 am
Reply

Looks perfect…!!!Cant belive this your first time baking…
Raaga
October 12th, 2007 @ 2:30 am
Reply

I don’t have pumpkin pie spice… but I’ll research… your loaf looks delish Sig… I wish I lived closer to Seattle… I could have sat down with you for breakfast!!
Susan from Food Blogga
October 12th, 2007 @ 10:58 am
Reply

Oh, I love, love, love pumpkin bread which my mom bakes for me every fall. I never make it cause I’m convinced it won’t taste as good as hers. Yet, looking at yours with those fabulous whole pecans on top, my willpower is crumbling and I’m thinking I may have to make one this weekend. Great job, Sig!
Shantanu
October 14th, 2007 @ 1:53 pm
Reply

From the picture, it looks pretty good. Especially since you say it’s your first time.
Shaun
October 14th, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
Reply

Sig – Good on your for making such great use of those ingredients that are ubiquitous at Thanksgiving – pecans and pumpkin puree. I, myself, will be missing Thanksgiving in the States this year, which is incredibly sad. I wonder if I can find pumpkin puree in New Zealand. Such wonderful-looking bread. I’m glad you had another friend who was willing pass some of their starter on to you.
SP
October 19th, 2007 @ 11:13 pm
Reply

Sig- I enjoy reading your blog and I am inspired to try blogging food receipes, thought I have not done much yet No): . Infact yours is one of my favorite food blogs .You picture the food so well!
There is another blog that you might like – http://www.thepioneerwomancooks.com/

I do try out recipes from your blog and many other amazing food blogs that are there.. but it remains to be seen if I will capture a snap and try blogging them, probably after I get a better camera!

Do continue this great work! Yes):

Thanks SP… and an official welcome to my blog
Manju
October 22nd, 2007 @ 6:10 pm
Reply

Wow, if this is your first bred ever, you have a promising career ahead of you! Flower):

I love how your bread kept it’s vibrant color even after it baked. Lovely.

Aloha,
Manju

Thanks Manju!
Madhuram
April 3rd, 2008 @ 4:20 pm
Reply

Wow the bread looks very delicious. Since I don’t use eggs, I think I can mash one medium size banana and bake this one. Thanks for the recipe Sig.
Jo
October 6th, 2008 @ 11:37 am
Reply

I have made AFB for years as gifts at the holidays, everyone loves it. I freeze 1 bag & it keeps until I start it again in December. I’ve made the pumpkin, but I like mine with LOTS of spices, so I use 2 T. pumpkin pie spices, nuts & dried cranberries.http://blog.sigsiv.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif
Firmy wedlug branz
August 24th, 2011 @ 11:12 am
Reply

there is no form to log in or register form to sign up for !!
LINSU
October 16th, 2011 @ 4:44 am
Reply

I don’t have the starter to get started