Healthy Cinnamon Apple Loaf

We made the mistake of buying two large packages of apples at Costco, and of course we can't eat them fast enough. I found this recipe on All Recipes, but made several changes to make it a bit more healthy.  I substituted yogurt for the oil.  You could also use applesauce to make it even more apple intense. I also reduced the sugar to 1 1/2 cups, rather than the 2 cups it called for.  It turned out really well and I think it would be great to make this recipe into muffins to have on hand for a quick weekday breakfast. 

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 40 minutes

Makes: 2 loves 

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup plain yogurt (I used vanilla because that's all I had on hand)

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 eggs, beaten

2 cups apple, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped

1 cup broken walnuts

DIRECTIONS:

In a bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside.  In a large mixing bowl, place oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla and apples.  Stir into flour mixture.  Add walnuts and mix.

Divide mixture between two greased 8''x4'' bread pans.  Sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until bread test is done.  Cool for about 10 minutes on a wire rack before removing from pan.

Zoo-kee-nee Bread

Zucchini is easy to grow. And even easier to grow REALLY BIG. At this time a year when there is a plethora of zucchini to be had, it is inevitable that this squash lover turn to a trusty zucchini  bread recipe to off-load some of this squash (I mean 5 plants...what was I thinking?!). This recipe is really good and really moist.  The bread will freeze well and keep in the refrigerator for weeks.  This recipe makes 2 bread loafs - so there is plenty to go around. 

Prep time: 20 mins

Cook time: 1 hour

Makes: 2 loafs

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

3 tsp ground cinnamon

3 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

2 1/4 cups white sugar

3 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups grated zucchini

1 cup chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS:

Grease and flour two 8x4 inch bread pans.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.  Sift the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon together in a bowl.

Beat eggs, oil, vanilla and sugar together in a large bowl or mixer.  Add sifted ingredients tot he creamed mixture, and beat well.  Stir in zucchini and nuts until well combined.  Pour batter into prepared pans.

Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes.  Remove bread from pan, and completely cool.

Banana Walnut Bread

This is a Starbucks recipe that I snagged on one of my rare and desperate visits in need of coffee (you know it's bad when I settle for Starbucks).  I made this yesterday for the first time for an early morning meeting at work and my co-workers raved about it.  And since Starbucks was kind enough to share it with me, I will gladly share it with all of you!

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 45-60 mins

Makes: 1 loaf

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 egg

1 1/8 cups sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 tbsp buttermilk

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

3 large ripe bananas, mashed

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/3 cup chopped walnuts for topping

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 325F.  Grease a 9x5x3 loaf pan and dust with flour.

Blend together the flour, baking soda and salt and set aside.  Mix together the egg, sugar and vegetable oil until combined.  Add the flour mixture and when blended add the buttermilk, vanilla and mashed bananas and mix until combined.  Fold in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts and pour batter into prepared loaf pan.  Top batter with remaining 1/3 cup chopped walnuts.  

Bake for 45-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack before removing from the pan.  Cool for another 30 minutes before slicing the bread.