Dark Chocolate, Cranberry & Walnut Spiced Pumpkin Bread {GF, DF, Vegan}

We are at cake number four and this one is pretty darn special if I don't say so myself. It's my Dark Chocolate, Cranberry & Walnut Spiced Pumpkin Bread. A mouthful to say and a delicious mouthful to eat. This unassuming looking loaf is packed full of the best flavours. It embodies the warm and spices from a traditions pumpkin bread with a soft and fluffy crumb but inside there lurks some special punches of greatness. 

I wanted this loaf to be more than a simple spiced pumpkin bread because there are a thousand of them lurking in the corners of the internet. What I wanted was something with a little bit more pizzaz and some mystery delights hidden inside. I mean when this bread cooks in the oven every crevice of your house will smell so good. I would make this again so I could smell it. There is something about spiced breads and cakes baking in the oven. It makes a house feel like a home to me.

Inside this Dark Chocolate, Cranberry & Walnut Spiced Pumpkin Bread is pops of tart, sweet dried cranberries hidden in the fluffy folds of the cake alongside crunchy walnuts and my favourite bit, chocolate. Dark chocolate in fact that compliments the warming spices throughout the bread. I implore you to use a good quality 70-85% dark chocolate for this bread if you can. I will say this bread still warm from the oven slathered in dairy free butter is teh bees knees let me tell you. 

Add in a warm cup of coffee or tea and a quiet house, and I am in heaven. It's the simple things in life that make me happy these days. Like the quiet drive to the gym in the early mornings and being able to listen to a podcast on my way. The time out for me to refuel my internal energy store by having time away from the kids is so necessary. Simple things like when Little Miss A repeats my "I Love You" at bedtime, being able to drink a hot cup of tea all in one go, picking up a pen that works to write a to-do list and find out it's a damn good pen to write with. (I have a thing for a good pen) - Also don't get me started on stationery and notebooks. Watching a beautiful sunset has become my favourite past time to stop for a few minutes during the busyness of the end of the day and to have a few quiet moments and see the colours swathed across the Skye.  

Your guests will be coming back time and time again for a second and third piece of this cake a leave with a smile on their face. It's the perfect cake for any time of the year but with winter coming in our part of the world I can see this bread on regular rotation in my baking repertoire with it's warming spices and melty chocolate bits throughout. It's pure comfort food I can assure you of that.  I would love to hear your thoughts on this recipe if you make it in the comments below or tag me on Instagram or Facebook with your creations.