Pumpkin and Walnut tea bread

If you ever tasted date and walnut tea bread then this is similar, a rich moist bread lovely with butter for afternoon tea.


1/3 cup  butter, softened at room temperature
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup packed natural brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large organic eggs
1 1/2 cup mashed pumpkin
1 3/4 cup  whole wheat flour
Pinch of  kosher salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup water
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup dark chocolate at least 80% grated

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Method

Lighly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan with butter. Sieve the  flour, cinnamon, and salt into a bowl.
In another large bowl, combine butter, honey, and sugar and beat for two minutes. Add the eggs and lightly beat until combined. Gently fold in the puypkin and vanilla, then gradually fold in the flour.

Dilute the baking soda in ¼ cup of hot water, then add to the batter.Add the nuts and chocolate. Pour into the baking tray and bake for about an hour and ten minutes. Test for doneness after an hour.