Pumpkin Loaf with Brown Butter Buttercream

All I can help but think is how much history I am living through right here, right now in America.

I have been mulling over again and again what to post on the blog and social media. I feel as if anything I post (i.e. recipes, content, etc.) would just feel insignificant to the rest of the happenings in the world. 

The world is literally crazy. I feel like at any point in time a civil war will break out, or Trump will get assassinated or I’ll get a knock on my door saying I need to leave my home for some reason or another. It all feels like a dream. A really scary dream that I haven’t quite woken up from yet. Don’t get me wrong I didn’t vote for Trump but I also just feel way to overwhelmed by it all to stand out and protest. 

Believe me, I won’t get too into it on the blog, it just isn’t the platform for me to go on a political rant. But I will tell you the weary and grieving feelings are alive and running. I am literally glued to my phone watching political video after political video. 

While I don’t see this chaos ending any time soon I really hope that we can all find some small amount of relief for Thanksgiving this year. While I know many people are not thankful for what they may or may not have to endure come January we can still be grateful to be surrounded by our families and the food that will hopefully be on the table. 

I hope that you will take in those that are alone and surround yourselves with people that you love from all corners of your life.

I know that the pineapple is the universal symbol for hospitality but I also believe that the “loaf” will always resemble a feeling of giving. Maybe it’s just in disney movies the baker character is alway so joyful and giving but that symbol has been embedded as something of pleasant and helpful. A loaf of bread to someone in need and for something to share.

Hang in there America, and be there for each other because sometimes that’s all you can do. 

I hope making this pumpkin loaf for you friends and family is something that you can share together and enjoy a few moments of peace. It’s moist and wholesome and the brown butter buttercream is to DIE for. The recipe gives you all the cozy feelings that are much needed right now. And while these scary feelings will not go away nor be masked they should be relieved for moments of time with moments of warmth and coziness. Good luck all you lovely people, hopefully we can find a peaceful resolution soon. 

PUMPKIN LOAF WITH
BROWN BUTTER BUTTERCREAM

for loaf
1 1/2 Cups of all purpose flour
1 Tsp of baking soda
1 Tsp of baking powder
1/4 Tsp of salt
1 Tsp of ground cinnamon
1 1/2 Tsp of pumpkin pie spice
1 Cup of sugar
1 Tbs of vanilla extract
2 Large Eggs
1/2 Cup of vegetable oil

for buttercream
1/2 Cup / 1 stick of unsalted butter
3 1/2 – 4 Cups of powdered sugar
1/2 Teaspoon of salt
1 Tsp of vanilla extract
1/4 Cup of half and half as needed

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees

In a heavy bottom sauce pan heat butter on medium-high for 5-10 minutes or until a dark amber color is achieved. Be careful not to burn. Remove from heat, set aside and cool for 20-30 minutes.

In a large bowl combine all dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and salt. In a separate bowl combine sugar, vegetable oil, egg and vanilla extract. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Pour evenly into three mini greased loaf tins or one large greased loaf tin. Bake for 30-50 minutes (30 mins for smaller loaf tins and 45+ mins for larger tins) or until a tooth pick comes out clean. Allow to cool for 60 mins before frosting.

In a large bowl fitted with a standing or hand mixer add in browned butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Add in powdered sugar 1 Cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Use half and half to thin out butter cream if it begins to become dry or lumpy. This will help thin out the buttercream. Spread a layer over cooled pumpkin loaf.