Applicious

When I started this blog almost a year ago I was going to share my recipe for apple bread but opted for pumpkin instead because I thought the apple was too fussy for an introductory post. Apples are a fussy fruit. First of all there are so many varieties and if you're not familiar with their qualities, you never know what kind to buy. Secondly, if you're cooking with apples, more than likely they have to be peeled and sliced or chopped. Time consuming. And of course, then they oxidize and turn brown. Let's put these negatives aside and dive into a tasty apple quick bread that's very forgiving and tastes great. Set aside time for peeling, grating and clean up and you'll be very happy you put forth the effort. Plus, the re-mix offers a lot of choices.

Apple Quick Bread

Makes 2 loaves (4 1/2 x 8 inch pans, measured on the top)

Cooking spray

1 T AP flour for dusting loaf pans

1 cup AP flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup quick or old fashioned oats, ground in food processor or spice grinder

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp baking soda

1-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 cup canola oil

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temp

1/2 cup Splenda Brown Sugar Blend

1 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetner

4 large eggs, room temperature

1-1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

3 cups peeled, grated apples (I used 3 large MacIntosh)

Juice of 1 lemon

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. Prep 2 loaf pans with cooking spray and a light dusting of flour. In medium size bowl combine AP flour, whole wheat flour and ground oats. Add salt, baking soda and cinnamon and whisk to incorporate. Grate apples in food processor or use a hand grater and squeeze lemon over the fruit to eliminate browning. In large bowl combine canola oil, butter and both sugars. Mix for 3-5 minutes (I use a simple hand mixer). Add eggs and vanilla. Mix until mixture is smooth and luscious. Slowly add flour mixture. Don't over mix. Fold in grated apples and turn into prepared loaf pans. Bake 50 to 60 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in pans on wire rack 15 minutes. Remove from loaf pans and continue to cool on wire rack. Slice and enjoy. This bread is great with butter and even better with cream cheese.

Re-mix and tips: If you don't have whole wheat flour or oats, use all AP flour. The recipe works fine. Granny Smith and Fuji apples are a great substitute for the Macs. And if you have any no-sugar-added applesauce in the house, toss in 1/2 cup before you mix in the dry ingredients- more flavor, more moisture. By the way, this recipe also works with 2 large eggs and 1/2 cup of egg substitute. If you like nuts, add 1 cup of your favorite (chopped). And if you're a raisin fan add a cup of those too. Apple Raisin Nut Bread is deliciously dense and hearty. You must try it toasted. And if you want to get a bit decadent, add a streusel-like topping: 1/2 cup of AP flour or ground oats, 1/2 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetner, 4 T butter, 1 tsp ground cinnamon and 1/4 cup chopped nuts.