apple cider walnut bread

Hey, remember how I told you we love bread around here?  It's still true.  You know, still true after the 2 days since I told you last.  This is our second loaf of this apple bread this week.  It is that good.  Delicious!  And no, it doesn't call for my mom's applesauce (Jenn, heh)!  It is, however, my mom's recipe.  And just to clear up something from the get-go, it is not a desserty-sweet bread like banana bread.  It does taste of apples, and a hint of spices, and is nutty.  And although there is cider and brown sugar in it, it is not super sweet.  So it makes a perfect grilled cheese sandwich if you use a sharp cheddar.  Yum!  If you would like to try it out, this recipe is geared for a bread machine.  But!  If you do not have a bread machine, just knead and let the bread rise twice over like any bread recipe.  Ok!  Gather these ingredients:

 

1 cup cider

2 T butter, cut into pieces

1 cup whole wheat flour

2 1/4 cup bread flour

1 T vital gluten flour

1/4 c packed brown sugar

3/4 t cinnamon

1/4 t nutmeg

1/4 t salt

2 tsp active yeast

1/2 cup chopped unpeeled apples

1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts OR pecans

(mix the last 2 ingredients with 3 T of flour)

makes 1 1/2 lb loaf

 

Measure ingredients.  If you have a 2 year old handy, let her pack the brown sugar.

Place all ingredients into the bread machine, in order according to your bread machine's instructions.  Add in the apples and nuts at the fruit/mix-ins signal.

Use the whole wheat setting with light crust.  Do not use the delay setting.  And the beauty of the bread machine is that it does all your kneading and rising for you!  Sit back, enjoy the smells, and then stand ready with your knife!  It is terrific with butter, or like pictured here, cream cheese.  Hope you love it as much as we do.