Spiced Apple Loaf Recipes

SPICED APPLE-PECAN LOAF WITH PECAN PRALINE TOPPING

Steps:

• Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Generously butter a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Whisk the flour and the next 4 ingredients to blend in a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Mix in the flour mixture. Add the apples, 2/3 cup pecans and raisins and stir until just combined. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, smooth the top. Bake until the top of the loaf is set, about 25 minutes. Meanwhile: stir the pecans, brown sugar and melted butter to blend for topping. Remove the pan from the oven and spoon the topping carefully over the top of the loaf. Return the pan to the oven and continue baking until a tester inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 25 minutes, longer. Cool the loaf in the pan on a rack about 10 minutes. Carefully turn the loaf out and cool completely. (Bread can be baked 3 days ahead. Cover tightly with plastic wrap.) For Mini Loaves: Brush 3 (5.72 x 3.94 x 1.88) inch aluminum loaf pans generously with butter. Divide batter among pan; smooth top. Bake until the top of the loaves are set, about 25 minutes. Carefully top the loaves with the pecan mixture, dividing evenly. Continue baking until a tester inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 20 minutes longer.

APPLE & SPICE TEALOAF

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Butter a 900g/2lb loaf tin and line with a strip of baking paper, or use a loaf tin liner (see tip, below). Beat together the butter and sugar until pale and creamy, then beat in the eggs one by one. Grate half the apple and mix it into the batter with the vanilla, dried fruit and ground almonds. Mix the baking powder, flour and spices together with a pinch of salt, then fold into the mix until even. Spoon into the tin and level the top.
• Thinly slice the remaining apple half, toss with the lemon or orange juice, poke the slices a little way into the batter, then sprinkle with 1 tsp more sugar. Bake for 45 mins, then turn the oven down to 140C/fan 120C/gas 1. Cover the cake with foil, then bake for another 45 mins until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool in the tin.
• To finish the cake, melt the marmalade or jam in a small pan, sieve to remove any lumps, then brush it over the cake to glaze the top. Serve cut into thick slices, and spread with a little butter, if you like. Will freeze for up to 1 month.

SPICED APPLE LOAF

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to gas 4 or 180.
• Line a 2lb loaf tin with greasproof paper.
• Peel and core the apples, cut into chunks, place in a pan and cover with water, bring to the boil and simmer until the apples are just starting to soften. Drain and add a little sugar to taste (I prefer the apples to be quite tart). Leave to one side to cool.
• Put all dry ingredients into a large bowl together and mix roughly.
• Next add all wet ingredients at same time, mix until all of the flour mixture is taken up.
• Pour into the loaf tin and cook for 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 hours until browned.
• When the cake is cooked, LEAVE IT IN THE TIN until cool, then wrap in foil.
• This cake is best left until the next day to eat (if you can wait that long!).