Apple Bread

Growing up in Zambia, and my parents being Church developers, meant we traveled to where the churches needed to be. That meant we were in the car A LOT! Sunday mornings usually started around 7 am and we would drive 1-4 hours depending on the church we were going to. Many times we would go and stay the weekend at places because it was to far to drive in one day. But those are some of the best memories I have. The roads were terrible or non existent. I remember many times my brother and I siting on top of the car driving through grass that was taller then an Elephant, following a cattle trail to get to the church. Jesse(my brother) and I would tell dad the direction we would see any hut or person or any sign of life out in the bush. When we got high tech, dad bought a GPS. YAY! So we would mark the church and then the next time we came all we would have to do is make a trail to the point on the screen and HOPE your point of reference weren't off by any measurement. Those memories were so wonderful! Except for maybe the SPAM sandwiches my mom would make us....YUCK! I don't know how I survived eating that stuff! But Even with the SPAM sandwiches, Mom would bring a bag of snacks to eat along the way. Peanuts, chips, Granola bars, whatever she put in the basket. But my hope was always that she would put one of her sweet breads in the basket. Banana Bread, Zucchini bread, Pumpkin bread. They are delicious! When we go to visit them in Zambia, I STILL hope she puts breads in the snack basket. My boys are catching on to this sweet bread idea. They love it for breakfasts and snack time, tea time and dessert. Most of them freeze really well. Last months I spent a day baking different sweet breads and then wrapping them and freezing them. Keith could grab them when he went hunting.

This recipe is for Apple bread but it works GREAT for Zucchini or pears! I love this recipe!! I like to add chocolate chips, Craisins, Cranberries, blueberries, Pecans, or any other chopped nuts. It makes two 8x4 loafs. But these are also fun to make in mini loafs and wrap and give as gifts to someone's birthday or to anyone who needs a "pick me up"! Like the Post Office Lady.  They make great welcome to the neighborhood gifts and thank you gifts. Growing up Mom would make a bunch and we would deliver them to our neighbors at Christmas time! It is a great way to make someones day. Who wouldn't want a nice loaf of sweet bread? I hope you enjoy this recipe and I hope you share some to those people around you!

Apple Bread
3 cups all purpose Flour
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup oil
2 cups sugar
2 eggs ( I use Ener-G Egg Replacer)
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups Shredded Apples, pears, or Zucchini or a combination of these
1 cup chopped walnuts or Pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
In a bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt. Set aside. In a mixing bowl place oil, sugar, eggs (I add the powder to the dry ingredients and the water to the wet ingredients) vanilla, and apples. mix well. Stir in the flour mixture. add nuts and mix well. Divide between 2 greased loaf pans. 8x4 Bake for 40-45 minutes. till done. Cool 10 minutes on wire rack before you removing from pan.