HEARTY APPLE LOAF
Friday, October 30, 2009 at 4:37PM 
There are days I feel like cooking, and there are days that it sounds like the last thing I’d like to do. Hugh does an excellent job of romancing you into the Sprouted Kitchen, but believe me, toast and hummus work fine for me some nights. For this experiment, I strapped on an apron to remind myself that I mean business. I doubled this recipe, trusting it would work out. I like to have a tasty option waiting for me for breakfast and I also wanted to take action on my long time intention to send a loaf to a new friend. If you make this, I suggest you do the same. I have never met a person who does not like surprise mail, and I guarantee there is someone in your life who could use a surprise.
The lovely thing about this hearty loaf, is that you could use apples, pears, stone fruit or berries and make it yours. Throw in whatever you’re in the mood for. If it is a day you need to toss in the rest of the bag of chocolate chips you have into the batter, I encourage that. It tastes more like a bread than a cake due to the whole grains and modest amount of sweetener. It definitely needs this yogurt topping, which goes with just about anything, and this fibery gem gets along so lovely with the creamy tang. Hugh preferred a good schmear of butter; you pick your poison.
HEARTY APPLE LOAF // Makes one loaf
Muscovado sugar is a natural sweetener that has a more intense flavor than brown sugar. It is also more moist and sticky, so it holds up well in baked goods. It has a nutritional profile rich in minerals as a result of not being over processed. Turbinado sugar is much easier to find and would work fine as an alternative, just expect a coarser texture.
2 Heaping Cups Chopped Apples, Fairly Small Pieces
3/4 Cup Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
1 Cup Almond Meal
½ Cup Oatmeal
1 tbsp. Baking Powder
1 tbsp. Cinnamon
1 tbsp. Fresh Ginger
1 tsp. Salt
2 Eggs
1 Cup Buttermilk
1 tbsp Real Vanilla Extract
½ Cup Ricotta
¼ Cup Butter, Just Barely Melted
½ Cup Muscovado Sugar (plus 2 tbsp for the top)
Squeeze of lemon
Oven at 375’
1. Butter the loaf pan.
2. Put the chopped apples in a bowl of warm water with a squeeze of lemon and let them sit.
3. Whisk the eggs, butter, ricotta, vanilla and buttermilk together.
4. Add the dry ingredients together, including the cinnamon, ginger and salt and mix to combine. Gently mix in the buttermilk mixture til incorporated.
5. Drain the apples in a colander and give them a little shimmy to shake off excess water. Fold in the apples, do not over mix.
6. Fill the loaf pan and sprinkle remaining 2 tbsp. of the muscavado. Bake on the middle rack for 45 minutes until golden on top and springy to the touch. Test for doness with a toothpick, as the type of pan and oven vary. Do not overcook, as it will continue to cook a bit more when you remove it. Remove and cool.
7. While cooling, mix together your yogurt frosting. Cut yourself a slice of the loaf and drizzle her with a generous dose of the yogurt goodness.
Reader Comments (45)
That loaf sounds so good and so easy to adapt depending on the seasons! Thanks!
yummy. so hungry. can i please have a bite? (;
apple bread is one of my most favorite things. I totally understand the not feeling like cooking thing - someday it just i'm just not feeling it. Is turbinado sugar a better substitute than brown sugar? I want to try this soon and hunting down muscovado sugar where I live would be almost impossible. haha!
This looks amazing! You and Hugh are such an awesome duo :)
umm....jealous! who is this "new friend" you speak of????
oh that looks AND sounds so delicious! I love the shot of the apples on the grass!
Glad you decided to strap your apron on bella! Had you decided not to, we would have still been looking at those potatoes and chickpeas you made last week!
Looks great! I have been on an apple frenzy lately. Wish I had a slice right now.
that'd be a perfect breakfast slice!
cheers,
*heather*
Oh, Sara. I love that you're honest enough to admit sometimes you don't feel like cooking. Me neither. And I also love that you wanted to send a loaf of bread and that you got me thinking of who I can send one to. You have a good heart. Thanks for brightening my morning.
I've never tried apple bread. I'm glad you and Hugh made it into the kitchen- the loaf looks super-healthy and delicious. And, of course, the photos are out of this world!
Just the thing for fall. Lucky friend!
Oh wow, this looks good. Ricotta, buttermilk, oatmeal and ginger? I am so making this.
@Hannah- Muscavado is tough to find anywhere. You can order it online via Amazon seems to be the most affordable option. It has a unique taste, so someone who bakes like you could make use of it!
@Shannalee- sweet comment. I am far from perfect, thus have no problem admitting so to readers who, I'm sure, feel the same way sometimes!
I love that there is a little heart-shaped crumb in the last two (gorgeous) pictures.
That cake looks so wonderful! I love apple things but I don't make them nearly enough. You have a great site with wonderful pictures! I'm adding you to my feeds!
I'm new to your site - what a beautiful blog you have! This recipe looks amazing :D
its midnight ,cant sleep looking at all the wonderful food and amazed at all the different ideas that would never appear in my head...what a mind along with a gift for writing
I know I'm not necessarily a "new" friend, but I'm still holding my breath for a suprise package in the mail. This looks too good!!
Sara...this recipe is beautiful.
pefect way to use up more of my apples from the orchard.
Oh my gosh what a beautiful blog! I love it!
What a beautiful loaf! Love the fall flavors... it just says warm and homey.
Opening up a package that revealed this loaf was one of the kindest gestures I've ever received. Thank you Sara for your delicious baked treat and for reminding us how important the little things are.
That loaf is filled with lots of wholesome ingredients and there's goodness in every bite.
i think this is one of your most beautiful posts yet!
How funny... I just posted my favorite apple bread as well. It's just that time of year. This one looks great and while it is a little more complicated than mine, it is definitely healthier and looks delicious. I will have to try!
Wow, glad to have found your blog. It's so beautiful!
Outstanding images! Sounds yummy..
Surprising a friend with a care package of baked sweets is a splendid idea. I'm loving the versatility of this recipe as well.
Yummmm! I LOVE heart bread! Anytime you can eat bread and feel good about it, I'm all for it!! Great recipe, Sara. I can't wait to try it out.
Wow- I don't even *like* fruit breads and I'm already dying to make this! And I know just what you mean about strapping on an apron- somehow, that one little act can mean the difference between puttering about, half-heartedly preparing food, and getting right down to work, chef-style ;)
i love that you are highlighting a healthier, traditional and beautiful sweetener such as muscavado. i must make these now, but i might try replacing all the wheat flour with almond...
Now, how delicious is that? Wholesome and filled with seasonal apples... yum.
I LOVE that I just stumbled on your site. it is wonderful. your closeups are awesome.
[...] were a wonderful addition. I liked the cake, and made a few modifications from the original at Sprouted Kitchen, but likely would not go through the fuss of buying such fancy ingredients a second time. This [...]
I made the loaf with apples and cranberries and it was wonderful. Thanks for sharing!
http://tastespace.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/hearty-apple-cranberry-loaf/
This apple cake rocks! My husband just literally ate 1/2 of it!! Your recipes are just what I've been looking for. So glad to have found your site. And the photos are just beautiful.
[...] to find a store that sells flours/grains in bulk and you can buy just what you need by weight. Or, as I’ve suggested before, make extra and give some away. I mean, they taste pretty healthy for a muffin, but it’s [...]
I absolutely love your recipes! They are genuinely healthy, a lot of people just substitute butter, or some part of the flour. But you look at all the ingredients and find healthier alternatives!! I try, and I know its a tedious task. I'm always very satisfied when I come here. I had written to you earlier about my father having diabetes, so your site is great!! Thank you! Though my only problem is with finding sugar alternatives, since most sugars are bad for him...can you help me in some way...
Love
Mandakini (India)
PS If you ever want anything from India, let me know :-)
[...] Original Recipe [...]
Just took this out of the oven! smells and looks incredible! So excited I think I might make another one tonight! It was so fun to make
Am I missing something or why can I not find the recipe for the yogurt topping?
Also wondering if this bread would freeze well.
Thank you so much
Dana, I found a recipe for a sweetened yogurt to go with the Carrot Cake Cookie 'Wiches and I wonder if that is what the link should go to. It's in the June archives.
@Dana @christina - thanks for passing that on! Dana and I emailed, it's just plain yogurt with maple syrup for anyone curious.