Name: Pumpkin Bread in a Jar
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 2/3 c. shortening; 2 c. pumpkin; 1/2 tsp. baking powder; 1 tsp. ground cloves; 2 2/3 c. white sugar; 2/3 c. water; 2 tsp. baking soda; 1 1/2 tsp. salt; 4 eggs; 3 1/3 c. all-purpose flour; 1 tsp. cinnamon; 2/3 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Just in time for pumpkin season, here's an amazingly versatile recipe, shared by one of our longtime staff members. Use 8 canning jars (wide-mouth pint size) and bake this moist, spiced pumpkin bread right in the jars! After they come out of the oven, screw the lids and bands on tightly and the hot jars will vacuum seal themselves. Sealed jars of bread keep for up to one year. That's right - ONE WHOLE YEAR. Makes a fantastic "oh-my-goodness-I-forgot-about-that-potluck-today" bread AND a creative gift for those on your Christmas list (piano teachers, bus drivers, babysitters, mail carriers, neighbors, etc.) who deserve a little something special. Variations included in the recipe to make other types of bread in a jar, too!

Pumpkin Bread in a Jar

Gloria Miller

Prep Time:

10 minutes

Cook Time:

45 minutes

Bake this moist, spiced pumpkin bread right in your wide-mouth canning jars! Sealed jars of bread keep for up to one year.

Ingredients

2/3 c. shortening
2 c. pumpkin
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground cloves
2 2/3 c. white sugar
2/3 c. water
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
4 eggs
3 1/3 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
2/3 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar; beat in eggs.
Add pumpkin and water.
In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices.
Add to pumpkin mixture.
Stir in nuts, if using.
Pour mixture into greased wide-mouth pint canning jars, filling them each half full.
Bake at 325° F for 45 minutes.
When done, remove one jar at a time and wipe off sealing rim with a cloth.
Screw lid on tightly with band. The heat will vacuum seal the jar. Makes 8 pints.