Pumpkin Bread

I wanted to bake a festive fall treat for Halloween, (with some nutritional value) so I decided to make organic pumpkin bread with a maple cream cheese glaze. Here's the recipe I created:

1/2 cup safflower oil (vegetable oil works if you can't find this)
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar, loosely packed (I used dark brown sugar for a richer, more molasses-y flavor)
2 eggs
2/3 can organic pumpkin puree (I used Trader Joe's brand - be sure to get unseasoned pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie mix, which already has added sweeteners)
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup buckwheat flour (I used vegan pancake mix we got at the Boston Vegetarian Food Festival)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
*Can add walnuts to taste but I went nut-free to celebrate the pumpkin flavor

1.) Preheat oven 350 degrees and grease and flower loaf pan.
2.) Mix safflower oil and sugars in large bowl. Add two lightly beated eggs and pumpkin puree.
3.) Add seasoning to taste and stir to combine. Add dry ingredients and mix until just incorporated - should have the consistency of cake batter and nice amber color.
4.) Pour into loaf pan and bake for 35-40 minutes.
5.) Cool on rack at least 15 minutes before topping with maple cream cheese glaze. Serve warm or at room temperature.

To make the glaze: beat cream cheese with about 2 tbsp. real maple syrup and half cup sugar or to taste. Let sit at room temperature to soften while bread bakes. Use spatula to spread over warm bread to drip over edges. So good!

This pumpkin bread is rich and moist and truly to die for - this one got demolished. Yet I constructed a recipe that still has a healthy flare; between the fiber-filled organic pumpkin, wholesome buckwheat flour, and minimal safflower oil so the bread is butter-free, it's relatively low in fat and retains some nutrients. Of course I indulged my sweet tooth with the sugar, but as my creation is super-sweet you can try the recipe using less sugar if you prefer. Combine soft fluffy pumpkin bread with the tangy cream cheese and a hint of maple flavor, and you have the most incredible Halloween treat!