Monday, November 17, 2014

Apple Fritter Bread - Create a Quick Bread



I don't know how much of a secret it is, but I have a fondness for donuts on Saturday mornings. We don't get them often, because they are a "treat", but I sure do love them. And it doesn't help much that we have a killer doughnut bakery close by. We all pick out our favorites - anything with sprinkles for the two little ones, maple bars and Bavarian cream for the middle ones and I get an apple fritter. 

I absolutely adore them. In fact, I have a love affair with all things apple. Well, not apple flavored candy and such, but ALL apple baked goods. They are my most favorite - have been since forever. So baking up some apples in a quick bread that has fresh chunks and cinnamon and glaze - be still my heart. I am all over that! I doubled the recipe when I made this, so I could take a loaf to a friend as a gift, but sadly, it was too delicious and my family discovered that Apple Fritter is the best flavor of doughnut and quick bread ever - in the whole wide world.... Ever! 



Apple Fritter Bread - Awesome!
Serves 8

Bread Loaf
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup milk
2 apples, peeled and chopped (any kind), mixed with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Old-Fashioned Creme Glaze
1/2 cup of powdered sugar
1-3 tablespoons of milk or cream- (depending on thickness of glaze wanted)


Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use a 9x5-inch loaf pan and spray with non-stick spray or line with foil and spray with non-stick spray to get out easily for slicing.




Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl. Set aside.


Chop your apples and mix them with cinnamon / sugar. I chopped mine very small because I wanted the pieces of fruit in the bites of bread to not be overwhelming. 




In another medium-sized bowl, beat white sugar and butter together using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.

Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, until blended in; add in vanilla extract.



Combine & whisk flour and baking powder together in another bowl and add into creamed butter mixture and stir until blended.

Mix milk into batter until smooth.




Pour half the batter into the prepared loaf pan; add half the apples and half the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture.

Lightly pat apple mixture into batter.



Pour the remaining batter over apple layer and top with remaining apples and brown sugar/cinnamon mixture.

Lightly pat apples into batter; swirl brown sugar mixture through apples using knife or spoon.



Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean, approximately 50-60 minutes.



To make glaze, mix powdered sugar and milk or cream together until well mixed.

Let cool for about 15 minutes before drizzling with glaze.


Optional
Next time I think I would add in walnuts. You can always use other fruit, or you could add in chocolate chips too! (Of course!)



Substitutions: I've also substituted this with 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt, 1/3 cup milk and add 1/4 teaspoon baking soda instead of 1/2 cup milk as called out in the bread loaf ingredients.

Baking options: Bake 30-40 min. for 2 loaf recipe, 15-20 minutes for muffins or 50 -60 minutes for one full loaf recipe or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.