Sunday, December 18, 2011

Apple Walnut Bread



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...The theme of the gift baskets I made for the neighbors this Christmas is apples. While I had filled them with chutney, two kinds of jelly and apple butter, I thought they still looked too skimpy for gifting . So, at the last minute I decided to add a cake-like apple bread to bulk them up a bit. The bread I selected is very easy to make and requires no special equipment, save for a wooden spoon, to assemble. It is very similar in taste to a Jewish apple cake. Now, I've always questioned that designation because both the Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch have a cake with nearly identical ingredients and taste. Turns out it's called "Jewish" because the cake is completely dairy free, and that makes it especially appropriate to serve for the holiday of Rosh Hashanah when sweet foods are eaten because they represent the wish for a happy, sweet year ahead. I wish my neighbors nothing less. Whatever their origins, all these cakes are delicious and take minutes to assemble once the apples are are sliced or diced. They age extremely well and actually taste better the day after they are made. Those of you who like sweet desserts will really enjoy this dense apple bread. Here's the recipe.

Apple Walnut Bread...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Leah Koenig

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 large eggs
3 cups Red Delicious, Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored and chopped into 1 inch pieces
1 cup toasted walnuts, chopped

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 8 x 4 x 2-1/2-inch loaf pans. Set aside.
2) In a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, salt, cinnamon and baking soda. Set aside.
3) In a small bowl, combine granulated and brown sugar, oil and vanilla extract. Add eggs one at a time, stirring to combine after each addition. Pour sugar mixture into dry ingredients and mix to combine. Fold apples and walnuts into batter, which will be very thick.
4) Scrape batter into prepared pans. Bake loaves for 45 to 60 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into middle of loaf comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack. Let sit for 10 minutes and then remove from pans. Yield: 2 loaves.








One Year Ago Today: Assorted Christmas Confections















Two Years Ago Today: Florentine Lace Cookies

35 comments :

Ginny Hartzler said...

Your neighbors are really lucky!!! I may move across the street from you!

Cloudia said...

mmmmmmmmmmmm



Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral

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Katarina said...

Sounds delicious and a great gift!

Pondside said...

I have a similar recipe that I love. Anyone who tastes it asks for that recipe.

A Spoonful of Yumm said...

such a great gift idea...happy holidays ! the bread looks fabulous mary :-)

Lenia said...

I wish I were your neighbour so I would receive such great and yuumy gifts!Greetings,dear!

Diane said...

That looks right up my street, can I come and be a neighbour? Keep well Diane

Becki's Whole Life said...

This all sounds like a wonderful gift and a great recipe for a delicious quick bread. My neighbor bakes a bread for us every year and we really look forward to it.

Big Dude said...

This sounds delicious - I like the walnut/apple combo

meghan @ scratch-made wife said...

I love making gifts for friends and co-workers for the holidays. I'm sure your neighbors love getting gifts from you - especially when they look as good as this bread! Wish we had some in our house for breakfast. :)

Rita said...

Would love to be living next door.
Rita

Tanna said...

More and more I wish I lived next door!! LOL! Thank you for this easy recipe, Mary! And, congratulations to Pondside for the win! Love to read her blog, too. Blessings ~ tanna

Martha said...

It looks delicious! I would love to have a taste! Have a Wonderful Christmas!

That Girl said...

I wish I was your neighbor!

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

Merry Christmas your family for sure will eat GREAT!

lena said...

nice packing you got there and i'm sure you will surprise them with th efact that it's also non diary,i'm sure they will enjoy eating these!

Sue/the view from great island said...

I think you just single handedly raised real estate prices in your neighborhood! Have a great Sunday.

Jo-Lyn's Cup Cakes N' Candies said...

everything but the walnuts, they make my tongue feel funny! i think it's a slight allergy...btw everytime i load your page i wanna take a bite of your 'logo'!!! mmmmm it looks so yummy!! ;)

Anonymous said...

this sounds lovely, a different one for me!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I love the idea of foodie gifts and themes for the neighbours!!

tender b. said...

I love apples and walnuts separately so I can only imagine how great they taste together.

Dining Alone said...

Thank you for checking out my blog, I look forward to reading some of your entries as well!

Sudha said...

That's a fabulous apple walnut bread you have here - looks absolutely awesome:)Thanks so much for sharing!

Cindy@NorthofWiarton said...

Happy Sunday to you, Mary. Could I make this bread with the Spy apples I have frozen? Your opinion would be appreciated, and I would like to thank you for your kindness in advance .... I am hoping to try a Black Forest Banana Bread out myself at some point today, to gift. Cindy.

Joanne said...

What lucky recipients! I love the idea of themed baskets with homemade gifts. This bread sounds delicious!

Kim said...

I'm a huge fan of cake-bread because it's simple to prepare and it's so delicious. I love everything (almost) with apples...

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

Yes, those festive loaves are a lovely finish to a gift basket! Hope you're enjoying the holiday preparations, Mary!

Poornima Nair said...

This would make an awesome gift...love the combination of apples and walnuts!

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

As I said last year . . . lucky neighbors.

The nice thing for me, is that this year I actually know some of my neighbors. YEAH.

Fondly,
Glenda

Chelsea said...

Anything apple and anything walnut sounds delicious to me! Lucky neighbors :)

What's next said...

Lucky neighbors! Looks wonderful!

Monet said...

I love how you have themes for your gift baskets. What a great idea! I usually just throw in a bunch of different treats together. I'm doing this next year! I hope you are having a relaxing Sunday, my friend. I'm about to begin a week of baking, traveling and celebrating with family. Much love and many blessings.

Lauren @ hey, who cut the cheese? said...

This bread sounds really delightful! An excellent gift for friends =)

France@beyondthepeel said...

I love homemade baked Christmas gifts. Should I give you my address? :)

Amalia said...

I love anything with apples, but surprisingly I've never tried apple bread. Although it looks fantastic and I really want to make some! Your neighbors are going to love this :)

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