This is a tale of a Pumpkin Bread. A family recipe passed down with hesitation. Because this is no ordinary Pumpkin Bread… this is a cursed Pumpkin Bread!
It all started in the early 70’s. My mom came up with a recipe for Pumpkin Bread, and baked it for a ski trip she and my dad were going on. They were driving one car while another two friends drove in a separate car. A half hour into the road trip, they experienced unexpected car trouble. They were forced to turn around, and bring the car to a shop to be fixed. Instead of ruining their ski weekend, their friends offered them a ride. My mom and dad packed their belongings, and the Pumpkin Bread, into their friend’s car and took off. Yet again… more unexpected car trouble. Despite their friends’ car having just gotten a check up right before the trip, the oil cap popped off, and oil went everywhere! They were using windshield wipers to try to see through the front oil covered window! Needless to say, the ski trip was canceled. For years, my parents had been going on that particular ski trip, and had never experienced any issues until then. What was different this time? The Pumpkin Bread. While it may have started as a comical suggestion… I mean, why would Pumpkin Bread cause car trouble?!….. they became convinced it was related.
I know… sounds like a bit of a stretch…. But let’s fast forward a couple of years. My mom decides enough time has passed to give the bread another try… She made a loaf, packed it up, and they headed for the beach on the Jersey shore. Car trouble. No beach trip.
For years my mom continued to make the very popular Pumpkin Bread, but refused to travel with it. Years went by, and eventually my parents were driving through Virginia on their way to New Jersey for the holidays. My mom reluctantly agreed to bring her pumpkin bread. After all, it is the perfect Thanksgiving baked good! Do I really need to say what happened? The car trouble was so bad they had to leave the car in Virginia while my mom’s father drove six hours to rescue them.
Three time’s a charm. My parents refused to ever travel with the bread again. Various friends and family have even recounted stories of car trouble after making the bread, and bringing it along somewhere. And until now, I’ve never even attempted to make it. Wasn’t worth the risk. But recently I came across my mom’s now famously cursed Pumpkin Bread recipe. It was calling my name! But, no – I will not be traveling with it…. just enjoying it with a nice cup of tea in front of a fire, in the comfort of my living room!
So.. now it’s up to you… Do you have the guts to make this bread and find out if the curse is still alive? Conveniently, the recipe makes two loaves. One for you and one to share… if you dare!
Looking for some more Fall flavored goodness. This Apple Sangria is the perfect Fall cocktail! And this Jack O Lantern Pumpkin Spiced Rum Cake is a decadent dessert!
Maybe you’re just a fan of pumpkins… then you shouldn’t spend another minute without the DIY Pumpkin Wine Dispenser!
- 3½ cups Flour
- 3 cups Sugar
- 2 tsp Baking soda
- 2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Nutmeg
- ½ tsp Cloves
- 1 15oz can Pumpkin
- 2 Eggs beaten
- ⅔ cups Water
- 1 cup Melted Butter
- Optional Dry Ingredient:
- ½ cup raisins and/or chopped nuts
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Combine all dry ingredients
- Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients, set aside
- In a small bowl, combine Pumpkin, Egg, and Water
- Pour Melted Butter, and Liquid Ingredients into the well of the Dry Ingredients
- Gently Mix
- Grease/Flour 2 Loaf Pans
- Pour Mix into loaf pans, and Bake for 1 hour, 10 minutes
Yep, totally been in that situation… more than once! lol I shall look forward to next week’s post, my friend x
It’s the worst! After completely scrapping round one, and starting over from scratch … I made it all the way to the end of the project. I sealed it, and the sealer I used had a bad reaction! I wanted to punch someone! I think I have a solution! Wish me luck this weekend!! 🙂
P.S. I am totally too much of a woos to try making the pumpkin bread!
Too funny! I know!! The recipe makes two loaves, which I can never eat by myself. I tried to think who I could give the other one to, but I seriously refuse to put that thing in my car even to drive to a neighbor’s house! In the freezer it went!! 🙂
For me, it’s a Duran Duran t-shirt. The first time, a friend and I were driving to LA to see the band and ended up spending New Year’s weekend in a truck-stop town while waiting for an alternator to come in and missed the concert. The 2nd time, another trip to LA, and we needed to replace my friend’s fuel pump.
I’m not allowed to wear that shirt anymore on any road trips.
Funny story Kimberly!! Note to self… the perfect gift for our enemies… Pumpkin Bread wrapped in a Duran Duran T-shirt! 🙂