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Pumpkin is trending on Google again this autumn, and pumpkin bread is the most searched pumpkin recipe in more of the country than any other. On a slow autumn morning Akane bakes one moist, warmly spiced loaf in her small countertop oven: one bowl for the dry, one for the wet, a gentle fold, a crown of pumpkin seeds and a careful doneness check. Captions walk the reader through every amount, temperature and timing so it can be baked at home, ending with Akane at her little table with a warm slice and a cup of tea, running some very serious quality control.
Page 1
A cosy home kitchen on a golden autumn morning: sunlight through the window over the sink, potted herbs on the sill, a rattan lamp over a small wooden table with two chairs, a small oven on a wooden cart beside the white fridge. Akane stands at the counter, tying her apron. Caption: "Recipe 4: Pumpkin Bread" Akane smiles down at a white bowl of smooth orange pumpkin purée, a whole pumpkin beside it. Caption: "Pumpkin is trending on Google again, and pumpkin bread is the most searched pumpkin recipe of all." Akane holds up an empty silver loaf pan with both hands. Caption: "One loaf, 10 slices. 15 minutes of work, 1 hour in the oven, 1 hour to cool." Akane pushes the sleeves of her cream knit top up to her elbows. Caption: "Let's begin."
Page 2
Overhead: a bowl of flour, small dishes of baking soda, salt and brown ground spice, and measuring spoons. Caption: "INGREDIENTS: 190 g (1 1/2 cups) plain flour. 1 tsp baking soda. 1/2 tsp fine salt. 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice." A bowl of pumpkin purée, bowls of white sugar and light brown sugar, and two brown eggs. Caption: "225 g (1 cup) pumpkin purée. 100 g (1/2 cup) white sugar. 100 g (1/2 cup, packed) light brown sugar. 2 large eggs, at room temperature." A jug of golden oil, a glass of milk and a dish of green pumpkin seeds. Caption: "120 ml (1/2 cup) neutral oil. 60 ml (1/4 cup) milk. 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds for the top." A silver loaf pan, two mixing bowls, a whisk, a pink spatula, a roll of baking paper and a wooden skewer. Caption: "TOOLS: a 21 x 11 cm loaf pan, 2 bowls, a whisk, a spatula, baking paper and a skewer." Akane stirs ground spices together in a tiny dish, smiling, the small oven behind her. Caption: "No pumpkin pie spice? Mix 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp nutmeg and 1/4 tsp cloves."
Page 3
Akane leans over and turns one of the two round dials on the small cream oven beside the fridge; its inside begins to glow. Caption: "STEP 1. Heat the oven to 175°C (350°F), with the rack in the middle." A pastry brush spreads a thin layer of oil inside the silver loaf pan. Caption: "Grease the loaf pan with a little oil." Akane presses a strip of white baking paper into the pan, the ends hanging over both long sides. Caption: "Line it with a strip of baking paper that hangs over both long sides. Later, it becomes your handles."