4 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup softened butter
4 eggs
1/2 cup water
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin (not p.pie.mix)
1 cup mini-chocolate chips, plus 2 Tbs more for "sprinkling"
2 Tbs chopped pecans, for "sprinkling"
2 Tbs sugar, for "sprinkling"
Preheat oven to 350. Grease & flour bottom only of 2 loaf pans.
In medium bowl, stir flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon & nutmeg until well combined. Set aside.
In large bowl, beat sugar & butter with an electric mixer on medium until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Turn mixer on low & add pumpkin & water. Slowly add flour mixture and mix on low for about 1 minute. Stir in 1 cup of the chocolate chips. Spread evenly pans & sprinkle tops with remaining chocolate chips, pecans and sugar.
Bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10-15 minutes; gently remove bread from the pans and place on cooling rack. Let cool completely before serving, about 1-2 hours.
I like to serve this with cream cheese or peanut butter, but its just as good plain.
