Monastery Pumpkin Bread

This pumpkin bread has been a favorite through decades.  It is the recipe of the nuns of the Monsatery of Angels in Hollywood.  They have been making the bread and selling it in their gift shop for the past the 40 years to keep the Monastery going.  Over the years, their bread has been so well recieved that it has been sent as gifts all over the country, even to many presidents.  In fact most people say it is the best pumpkin bread in the WORLD.  Lets give it a try!

Ingredients


3 1/2 sifted flour
3 cups of sugar
2 teaspoons soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup oil
2/3 cup water
2 cups mashed, cooked pumpkin (canned will do too)
walnut halfs
butter


Sift together flour, sugar, soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.  Combine eggs, oil, water, and pumpkin and mix well. Stir into dry ingredients.


Pour into 3 greased 8X4 inch loaf pans and top with walnut halves.  Bake at 350 degrees 1 hour or until wood pick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool before slicing.  Serve with warm butter.