Put the rack in the lower position in the oven so that the tops of the pans will be in the middle of the oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Only the bottoms of two loaf pans and eight muffin cups should be greased. 1/2x4 1/2x2 1/2 inches, or one loaf pan measuring 9 by 5 by 3 inches, with the addition of shortening.
Mix pumpkin puree, sugar, oil, and vanilla in a large basin. Mix in the remaining ingredients while stirring. Pour into pans.
Bake loaves of 8 inches for 50 to 60 minutes, and loaves of 9 inches for 90 minutes. One hour and ten minutes to one hour and twenty minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center come out clean.
Cool for 10 minutes. Loosen the edges of the loaves from the pans, remove the loaves from the pans, and lay them on the wire rack with the top side facing up.