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Writer's pictureWest Coast Nannies

Fall things!

We love fall at West Coast Nannies! Crisp air, pumpkin spice everything, colorful leaves, cozy days, costume fun and of course - pumpkins! We’re sharing a toddler friendly pumpkin craft and a kid approved pumpkin loaf recipe. Fall is here and it’s time to embrace everything it brings!



Ghost Pumpkin:


Supplies:

  • pumpkin

  • paint (white)

  • sharpie marker (black)


Directions:

  • Simply have your kiddo dip their thumb in the paint and press onto the pumpkin to create ghost shapes. Let dry completely. Finish the ghosts by drawing on eyes with the permanent marker.



Pumpkin loaf


My kids (and I) love this pumpkin loaf. It doesn't last long in our house, but if there's any left it's great for lunchboxes too. The recipe is from Sally's Baking Recipes.


Ingredients:

  • 1 and 3/4 cups (219g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg*

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves*

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger*

  • 3/4 teaspoon salt

  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature

  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar

  • 3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar

  • 1 and 1/2 cups (340g) pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)

  • 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil, canola oil, or melted coconut oil

  • 1/4 cup (60ml) orange juice*

  • 2/3 cup (120g) semi-sweet chocolate chips*


Directions:

  1. Adjust the oven rack to the lower third position and preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Lowering the oven rack prevents the top of your bread from browning too much, too soon. Grease a metal 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.

  2. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and salt together until combined. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until combined. Whisk in the pumpkin, oil, and orange juice. Pour these wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix together using a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon. There will be a few lumps. Do not over-mix. Gently fold in the chocolate chips, if including.

  3. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 60–65 minutes, making sure to loosely cover the bread with aluminum foil halfway through to prevent the top from getting too brown. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with only a few small moist crumbs. This may be before or after 60–65 minutes depending on your oven, so begin checking every 5 minutes around the 55-minute mark.

  4. Allow the bread to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before removing and slicing.

  5. Cover and store leftover pumpkin bread at room temperature for up to 3–4 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.


Notes:


  1. Make Ahead Tip: Baked pumpkin bread can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.

  2. Special Tools (affiliate links): 9×5-inch Loaf Pan | Glass Mixing Bowls | Whisk | Cooling Rack

  3. Spices: You can use 1 teaspoon store-bought or homemade pumpkin pie spice instead of nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Be sure to still add 2 teaspoons of cinnamon to the batter.

  4. Oil: Oil is a better choice than melted butter in this recipe. The bread is not as moist and soft if using butter.

  5. Orange Juice: You can substitute milk (any kind) for orange juice.

  6. Chocolate Chips: If desired, try using milk chocolate, white chocolate, dark chocolate, or even chopped pecans/walnuts instead of the semi-sweet chocolate chips. You can leave the pumpkin bread plain, too.

  7. Pumpkin Muffins: This recipe makes 15–18 pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. Bake for about 20 minutes at the same oven temperature, or try this similar pumpkin muffins recipe.

  8. Bundt Cake: Simply make this pumpkin Bundt cake (pretty much this exact recipe) and leave out the cream cheese filling. Add 1 and 1/2 cups chocolate chips if desired. About 1 hour bake time.





Are you looking for a nanny, household manager, or household assistant? We can help! West Coast Nannies is a full service nanny placement agency in Seattle. We are available to work with families and nannies throughout the Seattle Area including: Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Sammamish, Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Redmond, Woodinville, Bainbridge Island, Mercer Island, West Seattle, Bothell, Kenmore, Medina, Hunts Point, Lynnwood, Everett, Shoreline, Renton, Newcastle, Normandy Park, Kent, Burien, and Tacoma. Our goal is to create lasting and meaningful placements between nannies and families.We look forward to speaking with you to see how we can meet your family's needs. Contact us today// 253.245.8538// nicola@wcnannies.com


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