Pumpkin Pound Cake

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This copycat recipe is patterned after the one that's used to make Starbuck's Pumpkin Pound Cake. I found the recipe while paging through the blog, Just A Pinch, and I must tell you that it makes a dessert that is simply delicious, while remaining deliciously simple to make. My only problem is that I think this loaf has been misnamed. Its texture is unlike any pound cake I've ever made, but it is an absolutely stellar pumpkin bread that I know your family enjoy. The recipe is simple enough for young cooks to make and because it uses no special equipment it can be prepared in a barebones kitchen. The loaf is moist and mildly spiced and it is an excellent keeper if it stored well-wrapped. I really liked this bread and will make it several more times before the Thanksgiving holiday. As desserts go, this one is not half-bad for you. No fat is used to make it and egg whites are used instead of whole eggs, so it certainly is more heart-friendly than most of the pumpkin desserts floating around at this time of year. I do hope you'll give this recipe a try. Here is how the bread/cake is made.

Pumpkin Pound Cake...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Just A Pinch

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup fat free vanilla yogurt
3 egg whites
1 cup canned pumpkin
Optional: Powdered sugar glaze or cream cheese frosting

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 inch loaf pan and set aside.
2) Sift flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cloves, and nutmeg into a mixing bowl. Set aside.
3) In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, yogurt, and egg whites. Whisk thoroughly until blended. Stir in pumpkin.
4) Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture. Stir until completely incorporated. Pour into pan.
5) Bake for 60 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool on a wire rack. Makes 8 servings.