Pumpkin Beer Bread

Ingredients:

• 2 + 1/4 tsp (1 packet) dry active yeast
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tbsp honey
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 egg, whisked
• 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/3 cup pumpkin beer
• 3 cups whole wheat bread flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1/2 tsp all spice
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg, freshly grated
• garnish: pepita seeds

Note: make sure all ingredients are at room temperature, including the beer.

Directions:

1. Heat milk in microwave for 1 minute or until hot to touch. Add butter and honey. Stir to melt/combine. This mixture should read about 105 to 115 F in order to successfully proof the yeast. Stir in yeast, set aside and allow to bubble for 5 minutes.
2. In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, sift the dry ingredients (bread flour, salt and spices). Stir just to combine. With the mixer on low, slowly drizzle in proofed yeast, whisked egg, pumpkin puree and pumpkin beer.
3. Increase the speed to medium-low and continue to knead the dough for the next 10 to 12 minutes.
4. Once the dough is smooth, oil a huge bowl and transfer the bread dough into the bowl. Cover bowl with a damp paper towel, place the bowl in a humid area of the kitchen to allow dough to rise (double in size) for at least 1 hour.
5. Lightly oil a loaf pan. Once dough has doubled in size, punch it down and shape it to fit into loaf pan. Cover with a damp paper towel and allow to rise again for 30 to 45 minutes.
6. Preheat oven to 350F.
7. Bake bread dough for 25 to 30 minutes or more, depending on how brown you want the bread loaf to be.
8. Remove bread loaf from oven and allow to cool for 30 minutes before removing to cool on cooling rack.