Love for Food

Right after I went apple picking, I put a post on Face Book. I asked all of my FB friends if they had any fun ideas for cooking with apples. One of my good friends suggested walnut apple bread. At first I was not turned on to the idea. I was thinking of those yummy "breads" that are really more like cake. I just made pumpkin cake and still had some leftover.
I assured her it was a great idea and I would make it right away. A few days later she asked me about it. For whatever reason, I felt guilty about not making it. Sunday, I made the apple walnut bread but I substitute all of the ingredients out to make it healthier. I also halved it. She got the recipe from food.com.

The apple walnut bread came out like bread not like cake! I was glad I decided to give it a go. It's not too sweet and has a bread texture. My version is not over the top delish but I did sub out all of the fat and sugar. If you want something a little less healthy and more tasty, sub them back in. I am eating a slice for breakfast this week, toasted with a little butter on top. I like the healthy version just fine.

Also, make sure to realize that the batter is VERY thick, but not to worry. I cut the apples in big chunks in part laziness and in part I wanted to see what it would be like. I thought maybe it would be more appley instead of less noticeable apple taste. I think I went a bit overboard. I might scale down by chunks or even shred the apples next time.

Ingredients: Serves Six
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (or white or a mix)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs (or egg beaters)
1 cup Splenda (or sugar)
1/2 cup apple sauce
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup diced apples
1/4 cup walnuts

Method:

• Mix flour, cinnamon, soda, salt, and baking powder together.
• Beat eggs and add Splenda and apple sauce.
• Add vanilla and add dry ingredients.
• Stir in apples and walnuts.
• Pour into a greased loaf pan.
• Bake at 350 for one hour.