Pumpkin and Chocolate Loaf

Pumpkin and Chocolate Loaf

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice -- ** see note
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1 cup 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 powdered sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons light cream

Cooking Directions

1. Grease bottom and sides of 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan. Set oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine flour with soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice.
3. Cream margarine in large mixing bowl. Gradually add sugar and cream at high speed of mixer until light and fluffy. Blend in eggs; beat well.
4. 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. Bake for 65-75 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched in center. Cool, then glaze with spice glaze.
7. SPICE GLAZE:
8. Combine 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon. Blend in 1-2 tablespoons light cream until the consistency desired (should be thin).
9. ** If pumpkin pie spice is not available, use 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon each of ginger and cloves.