Spice Up Jack-o’-Lantern Bread

Bread dough, seasoned with pumpkin pie spice and shaped into a jack-o’-lantern, makes a fun addition to a Halloween dinner or party. Team the loaf with hearty soup or stew for a satisfying meal.

JACK-O’-LANTERN BREAD

5 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 packages quick-rising yeast

1 cup pumpkin

1/2 cup water

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

1 egg

Oil

Vanilla icing

Raisins

Dried apple pieces

Combine 4 cups flour, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, salt and yeast in large bowl. Heat pumpkin, water and butter in saucepan over low heat until hot to touch, 125 to 130 degrees. Stir into dry ingredients.

Mix in egg and enough remaining 1 cup flour to make stiff dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cover and let rest 5 minutes.

Reserve plum-size piece dough. Divide remaining dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into 7-inch rope. Place side by side on greased baking sheet. Pinch ends together to make pumpkin shape, sealing well.

Use reserved dough to make top and stem. Place over top of pumpkin and pinch seams to seal. Cover and let rise in warm, draft-free place, until doubled, about 30 minutes.

Brush loaf with oil. Bake at 375 degrees 30 minutes or until browned. Remove from baking sheet and cool on wire rack. Use icing, raisins and apple pieces to create face. Makes 1 loaf.