cold morning=warm breakfast

We've had unseasonably cold weather for the past few days. Given that I'm not from the south, I love it. My kids; however, shiver their way to the breakfast table, moaning if any cold foods appear before them.

So this morning I made quickie (Kerbey Lane mix) pancakes and oatmeal. No moaning=nice start to the day.

No pancakes or oatmeal for me though. I try to keep a supply of quick breads, scones and biscotti in the freezer so I can take something to work and eat at a normal hour; 6:00 a.m. just doesn't do it for me. This morning it was pumpkin chocolate bread made last weekend.

Pumpkin Chocolate Bread (adapted from Martha Stewart)

12 T unsalted butter melted, cooled | 2.5 c flour | 2 t baking powder | 2 t pumpkin pie spice | 1 t salt | 1 c sugar | 1 c light brown sugar | 1 can pumpkin | 3 lg eggs | 3/4 c semi-sweet chips | chopped pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 375. Butter/flour four mini loaf pans. Mix flour, powder, spice, salt. Whisk sugars, pumpkin, melted butter, eggs. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture and stir until just combined. Add chocolate chips and chopped pecans.

Spoon batter into pans. Bake 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans briefly and then remove from pans and cool on wire rack. Enjoy!