Pumpkin Bread

This recipe is from my friend Tammy.  She shared it with me ump-teen years ago, and we've been making it at our house ever since.  The original recipe suggested adding 1/2 c. walnuts and/or 1/2 c. raisins - but those don't really "fly" at our house.  Typically, I make it without the chocolate chips (our addition), but when I feel like dressing it up a bit, I add the chips.  We love it that way as well.  Enjoy!

2 c. flour

2 tsp. baking POWDER

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/4 tsp. baking SODA

1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1 c. brown sugar

1/3 c. margarine

2 eggs

1 c. canned pumpkin

1/4 c. milk

1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips (if desired)

In a mixing bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, salt, ginger, baking soda, and cloves.  Set aside.  In a large mixing bowl, beat together brown sugar and shortening until well combined; beat in eggs.  Add pumpkin and milk; mix well.  Add flour mixture to sugar-pumpkin mixture, mixing well.  (Stir in chocolate chips.)

Turn batter into a greased loaf pan.  Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes or till a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.  Cool in pan 10 minutes.  Remove from pan; cool thoroughly on a wire rack.

<UPDATE/TIP:  If you want to finish up your can of pumpkin, but don't have the 1 cup needed for this recipe, fill the remainder of the "1 cup" with applesauce!  I've done this a couple times, and it always turns out great! >

I made some Pumpkin Bread this week for my daughter's birthday breakfast!

-AND-

I'm linking up with Mique @ Thirty Handmade Days for her weekly Pity Party,
and with Lori @ Paisley Passions for "Fun with Food Friday."

Check this out. (Love it!)

As I was "touring around" over at Paisley Passions (a new find for me), I found this AMAZING Linky Library with lots and lots of Linky Party Information.  It's a Linky Party Linky Party!  What a concept.  The Linky Parties are organized by day of the week.  There are ALL KINDS of links: crafts, food, photography.  Check it out!