Cookies & Pumpkin Chocolate Loaves

Yesterday we created our own tray of cookies for art.   C is for cookie.  Unbelievably, we created fake ones instead of real ones.  

The kids glued a cookie sheet onto the paper.  They lined it with tin foil.  They added the cookies.  They drew the chocolate chips on.  YUM!

This was a nice way to remember what the letter C looks like and to keep busy.

I kept busy in the kitchen.  I know that I have shared this recipe on the blog before.  Preheat the oven to 350.

Pumpkin Chocolate Loaves

3-3/4 cup flour

3-1/2 cup sugar

1-1/2 tsp salt

1-1/2 tsp baking powder

1-1/4 tsp baking soda

 1-1/4 tsp cinnamon*

1-1/4 tsp ground cloves*

1/2 tsp nutmeg*

3 eggs

1 can (29 oz.) solid pack pumpkin

1-1/4 cup canola oil (or any vegetable oil)

3 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted

1-1/2 tsp vanilla

2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

*If you use the "Easy Pumpkin Pie Mix" that already has the spices in it, you don't need to add the cinnamon, cloves or nutmeg.  I always add more cinnamon anyway.

Throw everything in the bowl and mix.  This is a huge batch that will make 3 large loaves or 9 mini ones.  3 mini loaves is equal to one large loaf. 

I don't always have this unsweetened baker's chocolate on hand.  An easy substitute is this.

*For one ounce substitute, use 3 tbsp cocoa plus one tbsp cooking oil.*
I only had two ounces of chocolate, and so I used a substitute AND the chocolate I had left.

This recipe is too large for my Kitchenaid mixer.  It just sat there, over in the corner, looking jealous.

Mix it all up until smooth.  I know that recipes say "add this first, add this next.."  It really doesn't make a difference with this recipe.  Just load it all in and mix.

Prepare your loaf pans by greasing and flouring them.

Evenly distribute the batter.  Taste it, too.  YUM!  Bake at 350 degrees for one hour, or until the toothpick comes out of a large loaf clean.  I removed my small loaves after the hour and left the large ones for ten more minutes.  They were perfect.  Immediately cool on a rack.

These freeze wonderfully and when they thaw out, they are just as moist and wonderful as the day they were baked.  These loaves make wonderful gifts.  To freeze, once completely cooled, wrap tightly with plastic wrap.  Place wrapped loaf into a freezer ziplock bag and label with the date.  Having these made ahead if time is a great time saver.  Have a game night or a Bible study coming up or a family function?  Pull one out of the freezer in the morning and serve it at the event. 

♥♥♥Happy Tuesday!♥♥♥