Pumpkin Bread

The best pumpkin bread recipe ever!

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cup flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup pumpkin (if double recipe use 1-15 ounce canned pumpkin)
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/ 2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional

Directions:

In a small bowl sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves with a fork or whisk.

With an upright mixer, cream the shortening and sugar. Add the beaten eggs and pumpkin. Mix till fluffy.

Combine the milk and vanilla. Alternate the dry ingredients and the milk mixture with a spoon until well combined. Whip with mixer until fluffy.

Fold in nuts if desired.

Pour batter into a well-greased loaf pan. Bake at 350-degree oven for about one hour. Test bread in middle for doneness.

Allow to cool and turn out on wire rack to cool completely.