RECIPE OF THE MONTH

DELICIOUS PUMPKIN BREAD

4 eggs 3 cups flour
2-1/3 cup sugar 3/4 tsp salt
1 cup vegetable oil 2 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 -15oz. can solid pack pumpkin 1 3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp ground nutmeg* 3/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground allspice* 1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup chopped walnuts 1/3 cup golden raisins
(optional)
1/4 cups sugar, for topping 1 tsp ground cinnamon (topping)

You may substitute 4 1/2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice for the starred ingredients. Be sure to note that you still need cinnamon for the topping.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease two loaf pans or 24 muffin cups. Combine the eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin in a large bowl, and stir until smooth.

In a medium bowl, mix the dry ingredients and the spices with a wire whisk. Add the nuts (and raisins) and stir together. Add to the egg mixture and mix thoroughly. Fill the loaf pans or muffin cups with the batter.

Mix the sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl, and sprinkle over the bread or muffin batter.

Bake the bread at 375 degrees F for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or the muffins for 35 to 40 minutes. When the bread is done, a toothpick inserted in the center will come out clean.
Yields 2 loaves or 24 muffins.**

**I've only made the loaves of bread so I don't know if this makes 24 small or large muffins. If you prefer large muffins: fill the cups just to the top with batter. If you have any empty muffins cups, fill half full with water.
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DID YOU KNOW? Pumpkins are a tasty source of vitamins and minerals, particularly beta-carotene, vitamin C, and potassium. It also helps prevent arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which can lead to strokes and/or heart attacks.