Heavenly Calabaza Sweet Bread
Heavenly Calabaza Sweet Bread is a delightful and aromatic treat that brings the essence of Cuban baking into your home. Made with rich pumpkin puree, this bread is perfectly sweetened and spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, creating a warm and inviting flavor that is ideal for any time of the day. Whether served warm for breakfast alongside coffee, sliced and toasted for afternoon tea, or enjoyed as a soothing dessert after dinner, this bread will envelop your senses in its delicious aroma. Optional golden raisins add a chewy texture that enhances every bite, making this a memorable recipe from Eating Cuban: 120 Authentic Recipes from the Streets of Havana to American Shores.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
1.5 cups (sifted)
baking powder
1 teaspoon
ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon
freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon
salt
1/2 teaspoon
ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon
cooked and cooled pumpkin puree
1 cup (or 1 cup canned pumpkin puree)
sugar
3/4 cup
unsalted butter
1/2 cup (melted)
large eggs
2 (beaten)
golden raisins
1/2 cup (optional)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-x-5-inch loaf pan with butter and line the bottom with parchment paper to ensure easy removal.
2
In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and ground allspice to ensure even distribution of the dry ingredients.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, sugar, melted butter, and beaten eggs using an electric mixer. Beat until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
4
With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.
5
If desired, gently fold in the golden raisins to the batter for added sweetness and texture.
6
Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan, ensuring it is evenly distributed.
7
Bake in the preheated oven on the middle rack for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the loaf has risen and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8
After baking, allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes on a wire rack. Then, carefully turn it out onto the rack, peel off the parchment, and let it cool completely before slicing.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Heavenly Calabaza Sweet Bread?
Heavenly Calabaza Sweet Bread is an aromatic Cuban-inspired treat made with pumpkin puree, warm spices, and optional golden raisins.
At what temperature should I preheat my oven for this recipe?
You should preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking the bread.
What size loaf pan is required?
This recipe requires a 9-x-5-inch loaf pan.
How should I prepare the baking pan?
Grease the pan with butter and line the bottom with parchment paper to ensure the bread can be easily removed.
Which dry ingredients are sifted together?
Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and ground allspice.
Can I use canned pumpkin for this bread?
Yes, you can use either 1 cup of cooked and cooled pumpkin puree or 1 cup of canned pumpkin puree.
How many eggs are needed for Heavenly Calabaza Sweet Bread?
The recipe calls for 2 large eggs, which should be beaten before being added to the mixture.
What type of butter is recommended?
The recipe specifies 1/2 cup of melted unsalted butter.
How should I mix the wet ingredients?
Combine the pumpkin puree, sugar, melted butter, and beaten eggs in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
What is the secret to adding the dry ingredients to the wet mixture?
Add the flour mixture gradually while the mixer is on low speed, and mix only until just incorporated.
Is it okay if there are lumps in the batter?
Yes, a few lumps are perfectly fine; it is more important to avoid overmixing the batter.
Are raisins a required ingredient?
No, the golden raisins are optional, though they add a nice chewy texture and sweetness.
How long does the bread need to bake?
The bread should bake for 50 to 60 minutes on the middle rack of the oven.
How can I tell if the bread is finished baking?
The bread is done when it has risen and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How long should the bread cool in the pan?
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes on a wire rack before turning it out.
When should I remove the parchment paper?
Peel off the parchment paper after turning the bread out of the pan and before letting it cool completely.
What is the origin of this recipe?
This recipe is from 'Eating Cuban: 120 Authentic Recipes from the Streets of Havana to American Shores'.
What spices give the bread its aroma?
The bread is spiced with ground cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg, and ground allspice.
Is this bread suitable for breakfast?
Yes, it is excellent served warm for breakfast alongside a cup of coffee.
Can this be served as a dessert?
Absolutely, it makes for a soothing dessert after dinner.
What type of raisins should I use?
The recipe recommends 1/2 cup of golden raisins for their specific flavor and texture.
What is the total number of ingredients needed?
There are 11 ingredients total, including the optional golden raisins.
How much sugar is in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of sugar.
What kind of flour should I use?
You should use 1.5 cups of sifted all-purpose flour.
Is this a quick bread or a yeast bread?
It is a quick bread, as it uses baking powder as a leavening agent rather than yeast.
Can I serve this bread for tea time?
Yes, it is a great option for tea time, especially when sliced and toasted.
Should the pumpkin puree be warm or cold when mixing?
If you are using homemade puree, ensure it is cooked and cooled before mixing.
What texture do the raisins provide?
The optional golden raisins add a chewy texture that enhances the bite of the bread.
What rack should the bread be baked on?
The bread should be baked on the middle rack of the preheated oven.
How do you incorporate the raisins into the batter?
The raisins should be gently folded into the batter after the wet and dry ingredients are mixed.