Pumpkin Fruit and Nut Loaf

This is a large quick-bread which I  have been making every autumn for as long as I can remember.

It is moist and full of flavor from the wildness of the Black Walnuts and tartness of the fresh cranberries.  Fresh or dried apples provide a bit of sweetness along with the raisins, all with a fresh pumpkin base.

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cup flour

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

Combine and mix in a medium bowl and set aside.

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup soft butter

1 cup pumpkin puree

2 eggs slightly beaten

In a large bowl, beat sugar and butter together until well beaten.  Beat in pumpkin, then add the eggs.

1/3 cup milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Mix together and add alternately with the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture.

Fold in:

1/2 cup pecans or walnuts

1/3 cup raisins

1/3 cup coarsely chopped cranberries

1/4 cup dehydrated apples or 1//2 cup fresh apples

(If using dehydrated apples let them soak is either water or apple juice for a while before adding to mixture)

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Pour into greased loaf pan and bake 1 hour until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.