Apple Pie Bread

Apple Pie Bread

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup buttermilk or sour milk

(To make 1/4 cup sour milk, place 3/4 tsp. lemon juice or vinegar in a glass measuring cup.  Add enough milk to make 1/4 cup total liquid; stir.  Let mixture stand for 5 minutes before using)

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp. salt

2 cups shredded or chopped, peeled apple (about 4 medium)

1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

1/2 cup raisins

1 recipe Streusel-Nut Topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease the bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of an 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan; set aside.

In a large bowl, beat sugar with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.  Beat in sugar until combined.  Add buttermilk and baking powder; beat until combined.  Add eggs and vanilla; beat until combined.  Add flour and salt; beat until combined.  Stir in apples, nuts and raisins.

Spoon batter into prepared pan; spread evenly.  Sprinkle Streusel-Nut Topping over batter.  Bake for 60 – 65 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes.  Remove from pan.  Cool completely on wire rack.  Wrap and store overnight before slicing.  Make 1 loaf (14 servings)

Streusel-Nut Topping

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

3 Tbsp. flour

2 Tbsp. butter

1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and flour.  Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Stir in walnuts or pecans.