Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
1 tbsp. ground nutmeg
2 tsps. baking soda
1 1/2 tsps. salt
1 can (15 oz.) 100% pumpkin puree
3 cups granulated sugar
1 cup canola oil
2/3 cup water
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350F degree.
Spray three standard size loaf pans with cooking spray, set aside.

Before we start here is a picture of my ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg that I got with a giftcard from my grandchildren.  These spices are amazing and so Autumn-ish.  I had to grind the nutmeg myself. mmmmmmm

In a large bowl, combine those spices with the flour, baking soda and salt (until the color is uniform, no white streaks of flour, no brown spicy patches).  Set aside.

 In a mixing bowl with the whisk attachment, blend in the pumpkin, sugar, oil, water, eggs and vanilla (those black splotches in the bowl is real vanilla I extracted from a vanilla bean, I had so many I needed to use up).  Mix completely.

Slowly pour in the dry ingredients into the mixing bowl.  Mix thoroughly.

Gently fold in the chocolate chips (if you're wondering why they look white and powdery, it's because I mixed them with a tbsp. of flour.  According to Ina Garten in Barefoot Contessa, it's supposed to stop the chips from falling to the bottom of the pan when baking).

Divide evenly into the three pans.  Bake for 70 minutes or until a toothpick stuck in the middle of a loaf comes out clean.

Remove from oven and let sit on a cooling rack for 15 minutes BEFORE removing from pan.  Gently insert a knife against the inside edges to pull away from the pan, turn upside down and remove loaves.  Set them on the wire rack again to cool completely.

and now. . . . . , DIG IN!!

Seems this time of year I am constantly making this recipe.  Especially when we have some special friends visiting us from Florida.  My friends hubby (who is originally from the country of India) absolutely loves this bread and requests it every time they come.  I am more than glad to make him some, it is my pleasure :)

It's Homecoming at Liberty University and I have to admit that it's one of my most favorite times of the year.  I LOVE getting together with alumni friends.  I AM SO BLESSED!!!!

Have a great weekend and remember to savor every moment!