Pumpkin-Chocolate Loaf

Ingredients

Bread

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice*
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup black walnuts, finely chopped

Spicy Glaze

• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 to 2 tablespoons light cream

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease bottom and sides of 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.

Bread

1. Combine flour with baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice.
2. Cream butter in large mixing bowl.
3. Gradually add sugar and cream at high speed of mixer until light and fluffy.
4. Blend in eggs; beat well. Turn mixer to low speed and add dry ingredients, alternating with pumpkin. Begin and end with dry ingredients; blend well after each addition.
5. Stir in chocolate morsels and 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts.
6. Pour into prepared pan and sprinkle with remaining walnuts.
7. Bake for 65 to 75 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched in center.
8. Cool, then glaze with Spicy Glaze.

Spicy Glaze

1. Combine confectioners' sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon. Blend in cream until the consistency desired (should be thin).

Notes

* If pumpkin pie spice is not available, use 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon each of ginger and cloves.