Favorite Pumpkin Recipes this Fall

So far this autumn, these are my two favorite pumpkin recipes:

This first one is a nice morning bread.

Spiced Pumpkin Bread 

3/4 C demerara sugar or sucanat 

1/4 butter, softened 

1 egg 

3/4 cup canned or fresh pumpkin puree 

3 T. orange juice 

1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour 

3/4 teaspoon baking powder 

1/2 teaspoon baking soda 

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

In a medium mixing bowl, beat sugar, butter, egg, pumpkin, orange juice, and orange zest. Set aside. 

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the remaining dry ingredients. Pour pumpkin mixture into bowl with dry ingredients, and stir until no lumps remain. 

Lightly grease and flour a loaf pan. (This recipe makes one 8x4 loaf) 

Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Check with a toothpick or fork (should come out clean).

This next one is a delicious dessert!

Pumpkin Bars

Ingredients:

3/4 cup oil

2 cups sugar

2 cups pumpkin

4 eggs

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. cinnamon

2 cups flour

Mix in large bowl.

Pour into a greased 13 x 9-inch pan

Bake 350 degrees. Bake 35-40 minutes or until pick inserted comes out clean

Icing:

3 oz. softened cream cheese

1 Tbs. orange juice or milk

1/4 cup butter

1 tsp. vanilla

1 3/4 cups powered sugar