Grandma's Maple Pumpkin Bread. It’s the only thing you need to get through a day like today. All in one day, sweet hubby ran an incredible fever, the dog vomited on the floor, the teenager was late coming home from a date AND the horse began to limp. You’ve had days like this, right?
You will never guess what my new phrase for a day like this is.
Sweet hubby could only nod and wave his hand in a feverish dream-state when I told him. The dog simply looked at me with big sad eyes.
We could just run away.
Well, I could, you don’t have to….
But then again, who would carry soup back and forth to the bedroom? Who would let the dog in and out? Who would endlessly text the teenager, “WHERE ARE YOU? CALL ME!!”? Who would wait for the large animal vet to arrive at the pasture gate?
Oh yeah, we have a job to do here at home. So, sorry, I have to stay here. My job is called caretaker, everything , hey you .
Nope, I’m kidding, I’m just called Mom.
So, for today, Grandma’s Maple Pumpkin Bread is what we need to get through the day. Soft and a little gooey with an aroma that takes me back to my grandma’s kitchen. I can feel her arms tight around my shoulders as she hugs me into her apron. I can hear her heart beating and her soothing voice. I know I am safe and loved.
In just one breath of nutmeg and cinnamon I am transported to my spot at her table. I have my own little plate with some warm Maple Pumpkin Bread. There is a pat of butter gently sliding into the nooks and crevices.
Oh, what’s that you ask? What is my new phrase for days like today?
Grandma Days. That is it. That is my phrase.
It’s the days I miss her most of all.
I had a Grandma Day today. Now I have some Maple Pumpkin Bread to remind me and everyone at my house that we are safe and loved.
Enjoy.
RECIPE FOR Grandma's Maple Pumpkin Bread
Grandma's Maple Pumpkin Bread
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Cups Sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup oil
- 1 ½ cups maple syrup use 100% maple syrup if available
- 2 Cups pumpkin puree mashed pumpkin - about 1 can
- 4 ½ cups flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 ½ teaspoon nutmeg.
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300.
- Prepare 2 standard loaf pans by coating with a layer of butter or cooking oil and a coating of flour. (You can use a baking spray instead).
- In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, beat together sugar, eggs, oil and maple syrup.
- Add the pumpkin puree to the egg and sugar mix.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, ground cloves and nutmeg.
- Add the dry ingredients (flour mixture) to the wet ingredients (pumpkin mixture) in thirds. Mix well after each addition.
- Add the pecans and fold in by mixing on low for 30 secs.
- Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes.
- Test to see if bread is done by inserting a toothpick in the middle - if it comes out clean - the bread is done. If any cake or batter is sticking to the toothpick, bake for another 5-8 minutes and retest.
Notes
Nutrition
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR GRANDMAS MAPLE PUMPKIN BREAD
- It is important to prepare the loaf pans (bread pans) EVEN if they are non-stick. Grandma’s Maple Pumpkin Bread is definitely NOT non-stick.
- Remember to only add ⅓ of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients at a time. You will have a big floury mess if you don’t.
- An hour and 20 minutes is a long time to bake - but oh so worth it.
- Smells are FREE! Thank goodness!
- This smells delightful and will make your whole house smell good!
A VERSE TO SHARE
When I have a Grandma Day, I am reminded of God’s promise in Jeremiah to his people. My God is an AWESOME God. He hasn’t forgotten us. He knows what is on our hearts.
“For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[b] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
~Jeremiah 29: 10-14
moxie says
Made my kitchen smell just like heaven!
Carol says
This recipe is so incredible and I always love to read your website. Sometimes it feels like we are the only ones having a "day".I have made this recipe a couple of times now and feel it is every bit worth the lovely maple syrup and time it takes to bake.It is still approximately 15 minutes away from coming out of the oven right now, and I can hardly wait for the smell to warm my day.
Wendi Spraker says
Oh Carol!!! That is just the nicest thing ever!!! Thank you so much for sharing! As I write this I believe you are probably enjoying your first piece and I hope you slathered it with real butter and let that melt into the crevices. :). Have a good better day! Peace.
Wendi Spraker says
And CAROL!!! YIPEEEE!!!!! YOU ARE THE VERY FIRST PERSON that I get to use my new "Made This" function on!!!! Wow!!! Congrats!! (See the little cutting board with the "Made This!"?) How fun is that????
Carol says
Hi again Wendi! I have been trying to locate the little cutting board with no luck. I am just so excited about that and I was happy to be the first person that you got to use it on! P.S. Oh those loaves just turned out heavenly! And I would not dream of using anything but real butter on them or anything else for that matter. No disgusting Mar______ for this girl I cannot even put that word into my vocabulary.
Wendi Spraker says
Carol, I'm so glad to hear that you won't let that M word enter your mouth! We are two gals in a pod. The cutting board should be right on the same line with your comment - it's shaded so that its in the background. 🙂
Carol says
Wendi Oh, I see the little cutting board! That is just such a a cool way to let us know that recipes have been tried and true! 🌝❤🍰🌞
Wendi Spraker says
Thanks Carol! I think it's an especially cool feature too! I've gone back a couple of months in the comments and noted all that I found with the cutting board - so now y'all will be able to see who have made the dish and what recommendations they have for the recipe!
Lindsey says
While not quite the same as yours, I'm having a day (week) like that here. With a sick kid on the couch beside me, custom orders not going to plan, an older child needing to be chauffeured (while other sick child is now crying) and a husband working an hour away without his car, and being asked to run some last minute errands for your actual employer, it feels like life is a little derailed - a grandma hug (or fairy godmother) would go a long way! For now, we just remember that we are here for the ones who needs us and one day we could be giving the grandma hugs. Your post and Scripture were timely.
PS your recipe sounds delicious!
Wendi Spraker says
Oh Lindsey, I'm sorry you are having a Grandma day!!! I REALLY AM A GRANDMA so I can officially hug you and make it all better!! HUGS! BIG ONES! I recommend making some delicious homemade bread. Failing that - a bag of chips or a package of cookies will do. Hang in there sister.
Jenn says
This piece was a liefjacket that saved me from drowning.
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Jenn - I'm so happy you didn't drown!!! Anytime you need a lifejacket just send a note over here! I'll gladly throw one - or jump in and tread water with you. 🙂
Mary says
Helping our grandkiddies feel loved and safe is an important part of being a Grandma! This bread sounds and looks so delicious! Thanks for the tips and tricks to make this recipe a success. Love that it makes 2 loaves...one with pecans and one with walnuts. Pinned. Thanks for sharing. Hope your week is much better!
Wendi Spraker says
Oh Mary, you are so right. I had the great pleasure of spending the day with my baby grandson and I LOVE kissing boo boos and picking him up when he is tired and cranky. Makes everything right with my world too. :). I'm so glad you stopped by friend. 🙂