Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
-Robert Frost, “Nothing Gold Can Stay”
This Autumn Breakfast Bread is from Amanda Paa’s new book Smitten With Squash. It’s a lovely little book, celebrating that underappreciated vegetable, with knowledgeable tips and creative recipes. I’m giving away one copy of her book – leave your name and email in the comment section to enter.
Autumn Harvest Breakfast Bread
from Smitten With Squash by Amanda Kay Paa
I couldn’t hunt down a red kuri squash, so I substituted canned pumpkin. This bread is extra delicious warm.
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted slightly and whisked to a creamy texture
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
3/4 cup red kuri squash puree (or canned pumpkin)
1 cup mashed, very ripe bananas (about 2-3 medium bananas)
2 tablespoons dark rum
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
Preheat the oven to 350. Grease an 8 x 4 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together the butter, sugars, eggs, squash puree, bananas, rum, and vanilla. In a separte bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ginger. Add half of the dry ingredients to wet and stir a few times. Then stir in the remaining dry ingredients until just combined and no flecks of flour remain. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake the bread for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (if the bread is browning but not quite finished, cover lightly with foil). Remove the bread from the oven, let cool in the pan for 8 minutes, then turn out and cool completely on a wire rack.
Maple Cream Cheese Icing
6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
good pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
In the bowl of a standing mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium-high until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides, and add the maple syrup, vanilla, and salt. Beat again until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and mix on low until combined. Increase the speed to medium, and beat until light and fluffy.
(Thanks to the lovely Zoë François for helping me with this post!)
152 Comments
Kathy in Los Angeles
Sunday, October 19, 2014 at 12:31 amI’m new to your blog via The Bojon Gourmet. This bread is my kind of comfort food, and I happen to have a small red kuri! I look forward to reading your blog in future.
Pooja
Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 10:02 pmLooks delicious! Can’t wait to try it!
Jessie
Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 6:35 pmI must try this bread!
AK
Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 6:08 pmyum!
nancy olivo
Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 6:06 pmI would love a copy of this book. I have been working hard at eating better and more natural ingredients.
Dena Strehlow
Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 4:17 pmYum!
ami@naivecookcooks
Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 12:14 pmGorgeous looking bread!!
Hillary
Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 11:30 amWinter squash is a gift from the gods! This looks scrumptious.
Yoojin
Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 11:04 amwhat an awesome idea to have a cookbook devoted to squash! my favorite is kabocha 🙂
Becki @ Bites 'n Brews
Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 10:17 amThis looks divine!
Annie
Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 9:58 amI love this time of year and baking!
Jonena
Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 9:52 amSquash is magic.
This bread is beautiful.
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 8:45 amOh man, I am definitely “smitten with squash” so I need to get my hands on this book. This bread sounds delicious!
melissa herrmann
Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 7:23 amyum!!! A book about squash!!
Jen
Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 7:06 amI love the look of this bread. Just got a whole bunch of winter squash yesterday and I can’t wait to try this!
Erika G
Friday, October 17, 2014 at 11:51 pmThat looks absolutely amazing. My boyfriend looked over my shoulder and told me we should make the bread together and not feel guilty about eating the entire loaf!!
Lauren Elyse
Friday, October 17, 2014 at 9:31 pmI love bread & breakfast & books about squash. Cheers to that! xo
Rebecca
Friday, October 17, 2014 at 8:38 pmLooks delicious! Can’t wait to try it.
amy (Wooden Spoon Baking)
Friday, October 17, 2014 at 8:27 pmRobert Frost! Perhaps the perfect accompaniment to this loaf. The maple-cream cheese icing looks positively divine.
Rebecca
Friday, October 17, 2014 at 7:25 pmThe maple cream cheese frosting sounds divine!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea
Friday, October 17, 2014 at 6:42 pmNow that’s the way to layer frosting on—-nice and creamy and thick and yummy and flat out wonderful. What a lovely recipe and even lovelier poem. One of Frost’s that I am not familiar with or have forgotten. It can’t help but be a fab book.
Caitlin
Friday, October 17, 2014 at 5:46 pmLooks yummy!
Jade Sheldon-Burnsed
Friday, October 17, 2014 at 5:02 pmDefinitely a book I’d love to add to my kitchen…
Adele
Friday, October 17, 2014 at 4:42 pmWow, this recipe sounds delicious! It really makes me look at squash so differently!
Donna F.
Friday, October 17, 2014 at 4:41 pmThis books looks like it has so many great recipes! I just started experimenting with different squashes so it would be the perfect book to own!
Mia
Friday, October 17, 2014 at 11:35 amI think the phrase “smitten with squash” aptly describes how I feel every fall and winter. This bread looks delicious!
erin {yummy supper}
Friday, October 17, 2014 at 10:44 amSarah, I cannot get over that glistening, creamy frosting. I need some NOW:)
xoxo to you and yours,
E
Judy Grubbs
Friday, October 17, 2014 at 10:07 amLooks wonderful!
salvegging
Friday, October 17, 2014 at 9:07 amYum! I love that this bread uses bananas AND pumpkin. I make your sour cream banana bread often. Will have to put this hybrid on the list! The icing sounds great too.
Meredith
[email protected]
barbara n
Friday, October 17, 2014 at 8:46 amThis Autumn Breakfast Bread sounds delicious! I have never heard of a red kuri squash but I would love to win this cookbook!
Heather
Friday, October 17, 2014 at 7:04 amThis has to be incredibly moist and rich. A breakfast feast indeed — for the eyes and the mouth. Glad to have found this on your beautiful blog by way of Amanda’s Instagram! Cheers.
Barbara
Friday, October 17, 2014 at 3:13 amA cake to bake
With sugar and squash
Nothing could be nicer
For a breakfast that’s posh!
Nickie Gorsky
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 11:18 pmWOW! I would love this cookbook! Thank you for this fabulous treat from her book!
Beck
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 10:50 pmPumpkin and banana and rum! Yum!
That’s some breakfast 🙂
Laura Biscaro
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 10:50 pmthis is absolutely lovely! I’m such a sucker for squash, I think nothing screams “fall” better! this book is a MUST! *-*
Brenda
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 7:31 pmCan’t wait to try this!
Patricia Scarpin
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 6:52 pmIt does look amazing – I love the maple frosting!
Christina
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 5:32 pmI can’t get enough squash this time of year! This bread looks divine.
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 4:33 pmThis looks absolutely amazing, and squash is such a fantastic vegetable that is so versatile and very often forgotten!! Definitely want to try making this dreamy looking autumn harvest bread!
Lillian
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 3:12 pmLooks beautiful! Loving this trend to healthier treats!
Christine
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 3:09 pmlooks amazing!
Eric
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 2:36 pmI will definitely be making this soon.
Sarah P.
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 2:19 pmThis bread looks super tasty! I am a huge fan of squash. sarahepardee at gmail dot com
Love CompassionateLee
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 2:16 pmYou are right about squash being under appreciated. However, thanks to this recipe, I’ll be eating squash more often. Happy Thursday, Sarah 🙂
http://www.lovecompassionatelee.com/
natalie
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 1:36 pmthis looks tasty!
Lauren
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 1:24 pmThis looks delicious!
Whitney Fast
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 12:28 pmThis bread looks lovely!
Katherine Turner
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 11:55 amMy favorite poem! And this bread sounds amazing. I’d love to win a copy of the book!!!
Jane
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 11:38 amThanks for sharing the the beautiful poem. It immediately brought me back to my fifth grade teacher who absolutely loved reading Frost to us. What a lovely time of year, and the bread looks fantastic!
Melissa
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 10:42 amMmmmm. Looks delicious. I’m going to make it with rice and almond flours, so I’ll let you know how that goes.
Michaela
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 10:38 amSuch beautiful photography and the recipe looks delicious!
Kelli
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 10:37 amLovely post. Lovely recipe.
Beth DePietropolo
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 10:36 amI am making this today, thank you! Beautiful photos as well!
Allison from Baking: a Love Story
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 10:28 amThis looks incredible. Dammit. I was going to post pumpkin bread on my blog this week, but now, forget it – I’m just making this for the family. The maple is a very nice touch to the cream cheese frosting. Thanks for more originality and GORGEOUS photos!
heather @french press
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 10:15 amyour photos have me drooling and heading to the store!
Julia
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 10:03 amThis looks delicious, perfect for a weekend breakfast treat.
Renée | Flavors of Light
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 9:54 amWhat beautiful images and poem. This breakfast bread looks so scrumptious, that frosting looks so….. I just want to reach in and grab that slice!
Cindy Barnard
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 9:36 amI have so much squash in my garage from my garden. Glad to have another recipe to use some up and the “bread” looks delicious and decadent. Thanks!
Sabrina
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 9:32 amMmm, that looks divine!
sarah
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 9:32 amMmm! I’d love to be inspired by more squash recipes! 🙂
MaryKay Lawrence
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 9:11 amI loved the poem. What a lovely way to start your blog today. I will be making the bread this weekend. Thank you.
Diane Riedel
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 8:59 amSuch a lovely poem and recipe to start the day. I’m anxious to try the recipe, I’m sure it will be a keeper especially with the addition of ginger. Happy baking to all!
Amy
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 8:57 amI think I may bake this today! I love maple and squash.
Norma
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 8:57 amLove to try new recipes using squash as we always have an abundance of it in the garden. Would love to win the book and find new ways to utilize squash. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Kaye L
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 8:57 amDivine! Thanks for sharing tbe recipe & the poem.
Julia in St. Paul
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 8:52 amMmmmm . . . any excuse for that maple cream cheese frosting, I’m there!
Margaret Ann
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 8:51 amFirst time reading your blog (that I can remember); what a warm, wonderful feel to it. You hooked me with the Frost poem and I noticed other poems in earlier postings – a draw to pull me back, as if the photos weren’t enough. Squash & pumpkin are very favored ingredients in our home, so will be trying this very soon (like the use of the bananas as well – always have a few in the freezer). Thank you. P.S. Of course the giveaway would find a good home in my kitchen.
Amanda Paa
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 8:44 amThat poem is so beautiful. What a true representation of the change in seasons. I’m so grateful for your support with the book. These photos are so gorgeous, the lighting, the textures, everything. Thank you so so much. xo
Britney Loren
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 8:43 amIt is 6:45 am…I am hungry and this is making me drool. Can’t wait to make it!!!
molly yeh
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 8:37 amthis bread, these photos are GORGEOUS!!!!! and hi, zoe!!! hehehe
Annie
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 8:35 amLooks delicious! Happy fall to you.
Sini | My Blue&White Kitchen
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 8:32 amWhat a comforting breakfast bread, and I think that frosting makes it even better. Perfect for fall.
Marcia
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 8:30 amI completely agree that squash – (I never heard of kuri – but must look for it!) is underrated and awesome! This looks so good! Must try….
Rachel Farrant
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 8:27 amThis looks delicious!
Ginger Stark
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 8:25 amLooks delicious!
Deborah
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 8:22 amThis looks yum!
Liesl R
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 7:55 amLooks lovely and it’s perfect for this weekend’s new baking recipe!
Cristina
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 7:37 amYay for squash! I always substitute it for pumpkin and I am glad to see there is a whole book dedicated to it 🙂
Samantha
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 7:21 amLooks delicious!
Angela
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 7:12 amThis poem reminds me of the house I lived in as a child, nestled in the forest of a state park. Watching the many beautiful changes the seasons brought to those woods was life-altering. Thank you for starting my morning with creamy thoughts, and helping me decide what to bake today!
Rachel
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 7:05 amMaple cream cheese icing…too good!
Maryna
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 6:55 amAmazing photos, amazinf recipe! It feels like autumn in your post)
cori
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 6:38 amLooks AMAZING especially at 5:30am
Katherine
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 6:37 amThis bread looks delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Danielle
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 6:34 amWill have to get this book! My husband grew several dozen butternut squash this year so we’re up to our eyeballs (literally, if you stack them!) in squash!
Lesie
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 5:34 amOven is on! Gotta make this pronto!
marpy hayse
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 5:29 amOh. Em. Gee.
Yum!
Debbie Laurens
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 4:25 amThis looks wonderful. I’d love to win the book!
Alex Reynolds
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 2:56 amWhat a great idea to use vegetables and with pumpkin in season now I think this is one I need to try now. Thanks
Linda L.
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 1:45 amThat loaf looks great!
Jane Lustgarten
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 1:44 amThis looks wonderful. J have a B@B in Vermont. Will make this recipe this weekend.
Jane Lustgarten
I meant to say I have a B@B in Middlebury Vermont. This recipe will be perfect
for my guests.
Jane Lustgarten
Tiffany
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 1:20 amDelicious, can’t wait to make this.
sabine
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 1:18 amSince pumpkin is not so popular at my house, I´m always grateful for a great sounding recipe like this one to improve that poor squash´s reputation… Merci!
Meghan
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 1:09 amThat poem is one of my favorites from Mr. Frost. He’s one of my favorites, as he has such a way with the seasons. And as for that bread: that icing is incredible looking. This is the kind of loaf I could cozy up to wit a good book and a cup of tea.
Madeline
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 12:15 amThis looks delicious, squash AND banana, perfect!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 12:07 amHow perfect is that Frost poem?! Lovely! And so is this bread…a whole book about squash?! I’m in!
Lauren G.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 11:57 pmThanks for the giveaway. I love squash-my favorite is spaghetti squash.
Ashley O.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 10:31 pmI love this time of year for so many reasons, but baking being one of the top! I would love to have a copy of this book. This recipe sounds absolutely delightful!! xoxo ~Ashley
Chloé
Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 10:10 pmThat looks absolutely delicious. Hope I can win the book!
Emily
Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 10:06 pmHave to bake this! 😀
chickie brewer
Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 4:56 pmLooks so deliciously yummy good!