Recipe: Pumpkin-Chocolate Loaf

PUMPKIN-CHOCOLATE LOAF

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice*
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup margarine
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
3/4 cup. pumpkin puree
3/4 cup. semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup. black walnuts, finely chopped

* If pumpkin pie spice is not available, use 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon each of ginger and cloves.

Grease bottom and sides of 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Preheat oven to 350F. Combine flour with baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice. Cream margarine in large mixing bowl. Gradually add sugar and cream at high speed of mixer until light and fluffy. Blend in eggs; beat well. Turn mixer to low speed and add dry ingredients, alternating with pumpkin. Begin and end with dry ingredients; blend well after each addition. Stir in chocolate morsels and 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts. Pour into prepared pan and sprinkle with remaining walnuts. Bake for 65 to 75 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched in center. Cool, then glaze with Spicy Glaze.

Spicy Glaze
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 to 2 Tbsp. light cream

Combine confectioners' sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon. Blend in cream until the consistency desired (should be thin).