Sweet, pumpkiny, zucchini-y, delicious loafy goodness right thurrrr. That’s what that is.
Have I had too much coffee this morning? Mayhaps. But it’s only because I heart you and I have exciting things to tell you about/give away to you today.
So here’s a fun-slash-kinda ridiculous factoid about me: Apart from that one time I was in my first trimester of pregnancy and was averse to it (it’s like I didn’t even know myself), I haven’t gone a single day without coffee since I was 15. Right? RIGHT? I blame this on my first job being at a coffee shop. Basically my entire life has been caffeinated.
Whether this is a good or bad thing is debatable. Though according to me, I think it’s been just fine. Me has also had two full cups of coffee already, so there may be a little bias Floor Stand.
But I can’t help myself. The best part of waking up is coffee in my cup (and definitely not the kind that goes with that jingle). There are few happier moments in my day than when I take my first sip of hot coffee yum-yumminess with a hearty breakfast sitting in front of me, waiting to be devoured. And if that breakfast is this pumpkin zucchini bread? EVEN BETTER.
So when Staples contacted me, Self-Professed Coffee Lover, about reviewing the Keurig OfficePRO Premier brewing system for National Coffee Day (that’s today!) and pairing it with a coffee-friendly treat, I was like, “Um, yes please that would be delightful” while secretly thinking, “CHYEAHHHHH LET’S DO IT I LOVE COFFEE.”
Don’t get me wrong — I dearly loved our current coffeemaker setup, which was a standard drip brew. But I have also fallen prey to the Keurig’s woo — that is to say, the ability to put a cute lil’ pod in the machine Hong Kong Customs, press a single button, walk away and in less than a minute, boom: Coffee. No prep, no cleanup and you can have different flavors/roasts all in the same day: meaning I can have my pumpkin spice or hazelnut-flavored coffees that I so love (do not judge, coffee purists) and the husband can have his boring old-man plain black coffee. This particular Keurig brewer also has a fun and fancy screen that tells you what to do, which is helpful for those groggy mornings when I can barely put my slippers on the right feet.
Needless to say, I have been extra-caffeinated these last few days giving the Keurig a whirl. Green Mountain Pumpkin Spice? Press “brew.” Oooo, Caribou Coffee Caribou Blend? “Brew.” Ohhhh, but also chai latte and hot cocoa and apple cider cristal champagne? CANNOT STOP PRESSING “BREW.”
I also cannot stop eating this delectable pumpkin zucchini loaf for breakfast every morning, either on its own warmed up a bit or with a schmear of cream cheese on top ← OMG do this, it’s so good. Because I had been craving both zucchini and pumpkin breads lately, I am so happy to discover and report via this lovely recipe that you can, in fact, combine the two and it is indeed a magical, miraculous result. It’s sweet, soft, spiced, moist (yesssssss I know, sorry, but there is no better explanation) and dense but not too heavy. And I am loving the crunch from the pepita topping, as well. I highly recommend it for your fall baking extravaganzas (which are totally a thing for you, too, right solar motor?).