Whole wheat fiber, heart healthy olive oil, and two apples make eating this quick bread a positive experience in more ways than one. The loaf will disappear in seconds if you have eaters around because it is so moist and delicious. Consider saving time and effort by doubling the recipe and freezing one, or giving your extra loaf away as a gift. Also, to save yourself time and to keep more fiber in your diet, don’t peel the apples.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup(s) olive oil
2 egg(s)
1/2 cup(s) brown sugar -- sucanat is best
3/4 cup(s) apple cider/juice
2 cup(s) whole wheat pastry flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
2 apple(s) -- cut into 1/2" chunks; Macintosh good
2 tsp flax seed -- ground to meal
2 tsp sugar
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 5x9 loaf pan.
2. Combine olive oil, sugar, eggs, and juice in mixing bowl. Sprinkle flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon over top, then mix all together.
3. Fold in apple chunks and pour batter into pan. Sprinkle top with flax and sugar.
4. Bake 45 min., or until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for 15 min. before loosening sides and inverting pan. Cool completely before cutting.
VARIATIONS: -Replace 1/4 c. of apple juice with 1/4 c. apple brandy for more flavor.
-Or if someone drinks all the juice, replace with 1/4 c. apple sauce and 1/2 c. milk.
-Chop walnuts fine and add to flax and sugar on top. Press nuts down gently with palm of hand before placing bread in oven.
-Add 1 tsp. of vanilla, and/ or 1/2 tsp. nutmeg to batter.
REDUCED FAT: -Replace half of the olive oil with flax gel. Increase cooking time by at least 5 minutes because it will more moist!)
(adapted from marthastewart,com “Apple Bread”)