Blimey, it’s been so crazy here recently!
Research for all my Uni stuff, writing my cookbook, writing recipes, photographing recipes…. the list goes on!
I did give myself this past weekend off though. I worked so, so hard all week and decided I really needed to give myself a break. It was really nice, just chilling and watching TV.
We went out for a meal on Saturday which was yummy! Miller & Carter – so my OH had steak and I had my favourite barbecue chicken!
I took delivery of some more pumpkin the other day! I still have so many recipes I want to make!! It’s pretty hard to find over here, but I managed to find it on Amazon and it wasn’t too expensive, so that’s great!
One of the recipes I was desperate to write and make was this loaf cake.
You make one batter, then divide it and add chocolate spread (or nutella – I’m allergic to nuts) then you swirl the two batters together and bake it all up – bliss.
This was soooo good, I could have eaten the whole thing, all the time I was photographing it, I was picking at the crumbs and then I just had to eat the slice I cut to photograph…
My skinny jeans aren’t thanking me, but oh well, it was divine!
You get the lightly spiced pumpkin cake and then a hit of chocolate. I use Sainsbury’s chocolate spread and it’s glorious! I’ve tried many others, including Cadbury’s, but I keep going back to Sainsbury’s own chocolate spread. It’s really rich and worked perfectly in this loaf. But use whichever one is your favourite!
Seriously, go make this. I’ve just polished off the last slice and am feeling the need to go make it again!
If I call it a “quick bread” does that mean we can eat it for breakfast?
Pumpkin Chocolate Swirl Loaf Cake
Ingredients
- 1 stick (113g) butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup Pumpkin Purée, not pie filling
- 2 1/2 cups cake flour*
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- Pinch ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup Chocolate Spread/Nutella
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 160C/325F and grease and line a 2lb loaf tin.
- Place the butter and sugar into a large bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes on med-high speed.
- Add in the eggs and vanilla extract and mix until well incorporated. Add in the pumpkin purée, flour, baking powder and spices and mix until light and smooth, about 1 minute on med-high speed.
- Take 3/4 cup of batter and place into a medium sized bowl. Place 1/2 cup chocolate spread into the medium bowl and mix with a spoon/spatula until well combined.
- Spoon 1/3 of the pumpkin batter into the loaf pan and level off, spoon some chocolate batter on top, then mix slightly until swirled. Repeat with the pumpkin batter and chocolate batter until the loaf pan is filled.
- Place in the oven for 65-75 minutes until risen, it springs back and an inserted skewer into the centre comes out clean.
- Leave to cool in the pan for at least 1 hour before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, slice and store in an airtight container, at room temperature for 4 days.
Recipe Notes
*To make cake flour measure out plain flour and then take 2tbsp per 1 cup and replace with cornflour. Sift twice to ensure it's well mixed.
Annie is a self-taught baker, recipe developer and food photographer. When not in the kitchen, she can be found with her head in a book or jotting down recipe ideas! 
I am going to have to try this!
I have a giveaway going on and today is the last day to enter, would love for you to check it out!
http://thediaryofarealhousewife.blogspot.com/2013/10/sponsorship-giveaway.html
it seems so yummy!
i’m linking from inspiration monday party and i’m happy to have found your recipe!
Hi, this looks amazing and I bet tastes yummy. I saw it on tasty tues.
Julie @ julieslifestyle.blogspot.com
Such a perfect fall treat. So pretty with the swirls too!
what a gorgeous loaf
This is such a beautiful looking cake and my do I love chocolate and pumpkin. Glad you enjoyed your break. Thanks for sharing this with us on foodie friday.
Pumpkin, chocolate? Yes and Yes. Glad you got a little break in a busy life. Our weekly Super Saturday Link Party is live. We would love to have you join us with any of your great ideas. It would make us so happy to have you on board. http://www.madefrompinterest.net/2013/10/super-saturday-link-party-14/
love the swirl!! So pretty! You’ve been featured today at Nap-Time Creations!!! I’ve shared it on all my social media… please feel free to reshare or tweet :o) thanks for linking up to Tasteful Tuesdays! Emily
Hi Annie,
What a lovely presentation for a fall loaf cake, it looks awesome! Hope you are having a fun weekend and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Miz Helen
Wow, this looks so yummy, and I happen to have some Nutella on hand too. Thank you for sharing on Foodie Friday
This looks sooooo good! You will be one of the features tomorrow at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again tomorrow at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Congratulations! You’ve been featured on this week’s Martha Mondays! 🙂 Swing by to pick up a “Featured” button and do a little bragging! 🙂
http://www.watchoutmartha.net/2013/10/martha-mondays-link-up-party-features_13.html
Amanda
http://www.watchoutmartha.net
Annie, This bread looks amazing. What a great fall treat. They will be FEATURED on Tasty Thursdays this week. The party goes live tonight. Thanks for linking up!! Nichi
Sounds fabulous, Annie! I would love to have it for breakfast, afternoon snack, or dessert! Thanks so much for linking up at Thursday’s Treasures….hope to see you back tonight!!
Pumpkin + chocolate is such a glorious combination, so I know I’d love this awesome cake. YUM!
Thank you for sharing at our TGIF Link Party at A Peek Into My Paradise. Your post will be featured at the TGIF Link Party this week and was pinned to the TGIF Party Board!
Cathy @ http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/
And my skinny jeans won’t be thanking me either!! Thanks for a great recipe. Trying it with Nutella today. I have to get rid of those 2 big Costco jars somehow!
Love how simple and easy this amazing recipe is, Annie! You always amaze me. And, I can’t wait for the ebook!!!!
Already pinned!
This look so good! You can’t go wrong with pumpkin and chocolate! This sounds like the perfect antidote to a busy week. A thick slice and a cup of tea would do us all good!