Cool weather inspired baking ideas

We know that frigid weather is coming up, but those of us who like to bake use the excuse of a 60-degree day to get into the kitchen and start baking.

One suggestion? Invite the kids in to help. Sure, if they’re under 6 or 7, you might be looking at a bit of a mess – but the payoff is worth it. Who can forget the sight of that grinning child mixing those chocolate chips into the batter?

A true fall classic should include pumpkin, and nothing is much simpler than a quick pumpkin loaf. So chill out, family, and gather around for the first bake-a-thon of the fall season.

Enjoy this Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread from allrecipes.com to make a quick bread. The test kitchen at ShopAtHome.com took down the amount of salt and nutmeg by a bit. To follow the recipe exactly, use 1 ½ tsps. salt, and 1 tsp. nutmeg.

Ingredients:

• 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2/3 cup water
• 3 cups sugar
• 3 ½ cups white flour
• 2 tsps. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• ½  tsp. nutmeg
• ½ tsp. cloves
• ¼ tsp. ground ginger

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour three 7-by-3 inch loaf pans.

Combine wet ingredients in one bowl, dry in another. Fold wet ingredients into dry. Pour into pans and bake around 50 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

Another recipe to try? Go to Fleischmann for a simple yeast bread recipe.

Need a loaf pan?

The best baker knows the real secret to a perfect baked treat – savory or sweet – is the right  baking tool. For the perfect loaf of bread, we go to the Food Network’s 9-by-5 inch loaf pan. It’s nonstick and we love the silicone handles. We’d say yeah, use those potholders, but these will protect your hands a bit. Food Network Nonstick 9″ x 5″ Loaf Pan, on sale $12.74 (plus 2% Cash Back), Kohls.com