Traditional split-top loaves of pumpkin bread offer a no-fail hostess gift or brunch treat. However, even the most accomplished baker has to admit that the traditional recipe, however delicious, can grow a bit stale.
The fact is, the time-honored recipe vastly underutilizes this bread’spotential. Reimagine an Indian-inspired bread where curry and cumin take center stage, or a savory preparation where basil, coriander, and chives remind us that pumpkin is, at heart, part of the squash family.
Inventive ingredients
With a few twists on the traditional recipe, pumpkin bread transitions from sweet treat to savory staple. For a bread that can stand up to soups and stews, try:
Add 1 tsp each of basil, coriander, and chives to the traditional recipe of eggs, pumpkin puree, flour, baking soda, and milk. For an unexpected twist, toss in 1 tbsp of freshly chopped mint and ½ tsp of sage.
Pumpkin bread goes international with the addition of cornmeal and curry. Reduce your sugar and add onion, curry powder, cumin, and cayenne. Use buttermilk instead of regular milk for extra moistness and flavor depth.
Make it memorable
Pumpkin bread does double duty when used as an ingredient. Shake up the traditional bread pudding recipe by substituting in cubed pumpkin bread. Use pumpkin purée, egg yolks, vanilla, nutmeg, and a tablespoon of amaretto or Frangelico to create custom custard.
And don’t let those heels and crusts go to waste! Cube them, toss with olive oil, sprinkle some garlic and salt, and pop them on a cookie sheet in a 300-degree oven for 15 minutes for croutons you’ll never forget.
Pumpkin bread: reimagined
Traditional split-top loaves of pumpkin bread offer a no-fail hostess gift or brunch treat. However, even the most accomplished baker has to admit that the traditional recipe, however delicious, can grow a bit stale.
The fact is, the time-honored recipe vastly underutilizes this bread’spotential. Reimagine an Indian-inspired bread where curry and cumin take center stage, or a savory preparation where basil, coriander, and chives remind us that pumpkin is, at heart, part of the squash family.
Inventive ingredients
With a few twists on the traditional recipe, pumpkin bread transitions from sweet treat to savory staple. For a bread that can stand up to soups and stews, try:
Make it memorable
Pumpkin bread does double duty when used as an ingredient. Shake up the traditional bread pudding recipe by substituting in cubed pumpkin bread. Use pumpkin purée, egg yolks, vanilla, nutmeg, and a tablespoon of amaretto or Frangelico to create custom custard.
And don’t let those heels and crusts go to waste! Cube them, toss with olive oil, sprinkle some garlic and salt, and pop them on a cookie sheet in a 300-degree oven for 15 minutes for croutons you’ll never forget.