Apple Loaf

This would also be good with pears using ginger in place of the cinnamon, and candied ginger in place of raisins and nuts. This idea was posted in some discussion group on the Internet and it sounded really good. We tried this recipe with pears, left out the raisins but added almonds. It was quite good, especially with cream cheese but I would have preferred it without the almonds. It was hard to taste the flavor of the pears with the almonds in it. Instead, I think candied ginger would accent the pear, as mentioned by the discussion group poster. Here's a pear bread recipe I found that uses candied ginger: Pear Bread w/ Vanilla & Ginger.

I have not tried making this with the apples.

2/3 cups sugar
1/3 cup shortening
2 eggs
3 Tbsp. sour milk or buttermilk
1 cup chopped apple (can increase amount if you want more apples)
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups flour
2 tsp. lemon peel (optional)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon (optional)
1/2 cup chopped nuts [I would use walnuts or pecans]
1/4 cup raisins [optional]

Preheat oven to 350°

Beat together the sugar, shortening and eggs. Stir in the milk and chopped apple. Add the baking powder, baking soda, salt, flour and the lemon peel and cinnamon, if using. Add the nuts and raisins. Once the ingredients are well incorporated pour into a greased 9 by 5 by 3-inch loaf pan. Let stand 20 minutes before baking.

Bake for about 1 hour until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the loaf comes out clean. Turn out onto a cooling rack. Cool completely.

Bread keeps very well refrigerated and can be frozen. Makes an excellent breakfast, sliced and toasted; also as holiday gifts. Good with cream cheese spread on top.

Makes 1 loaf