Apple Bread

Good afternoon! Happy Monday!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Mine was so nice, it started off with a bang for my birthday celebration on Friday night! If you follow me on Instagram, you got a sneak peek! But stayed tuned tomorrow for the full report!

Yesterday we woke up to the sound of fog horns. It was a cool and windy San Francisco day, which put me in the mood to cook! I spent the afternoon in the kitchen listening to music as I cooked and baked to my hearts content. I made Apple Bread for a sweet fall treat using the apples from our backyard. I also made a batch of my favorite, Leek and Fennel Soup.

Today I wanted share with you the recipe for Apple Bread. Even though I'd say it's more of a cake with all that sugar! I had been wanting to use up some of the apples I picked from our apple trees last week, and this was the perfect recipe. I had everything I needed at the house already, so I was able to throw it together in no time. I was inspired by this recipe, and made a few slight modifications.

Ingredients: 
1/2 cup light sour cream
3/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
3 eggs
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups shredded apple
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda

For Topping:
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/3 cup Old Fashioned Oats (I used quick oats because that's what I had on hand)


Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- Grease and flour 2 loaf pans (I only have one so I used a square Pirex dish for the other, it worked fine)
- In a large bowl, mix sour cream, sugar, applesauce, eggs, spices and apples
- In a separate bowl, combine flour and baking soda
- Add dry ingredients to wet mixture, stir until combined
- Divide evenly between the two pans
- Sprinkle with topping mixture
- Bake 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. (the square Pirex dish I used was done in about 40 since it's shallow).


If you're in the market for an apple bread recipe, this one is quick and easy. And you most likely have all of the ingredients already in your pantry. It would be perfect if you're hosting an afternoon tea (good for Playgroup, Mom) or to serve as dessert. Although, like I mentioned, it was a bit sweet. I think next time I'll leave out a bit of sugar, 2 cups seems a little excessive. So I'll keep you posted on how it tastes with less sugar.

It was fun checking an item off my Fall To Do List! I loved spending the afternoon listening to my Pandora mix of Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé, & Van Morrison in the kitchen, I guess I really am getting old!