Are you craving the warm, comforting taste of apple fritters but don't have the time for individual frying? Then this Apple Fritter Loaf is your perfect solution! It captures all the deliciousness of classic apple fritters in a simple, bake-at-home loaf. This recipe is incredibly easy, perfect for busy weeknights, and guaranteed to become a new family favorite. It's a fantastic quick dinner idea or a delightful dessert, and the pictures are sure to get tons of likes on Facebook!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended), peeled, cored, and diced
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Instructions:
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Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. This ensures your loaf releases easily.
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Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps.
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Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract.
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Combine: Gently pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.
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Add Apples & Nuts: Fold in the diced apples and nuts (if using).
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Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Every oven is different, so keep an eye on it after 50 minutes.
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Cool & Serve: Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired, before slicing and serving.
Tips for the Best Apple Fritter Loaf:
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough loaf. Mix until just combined.
- Use a good quality oil: The oil adds flavor and moisture to the loaf.
- Adjust the sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet loaf, reduce the amount of sugar by 1-2 tablespoons.
- Add other spices: Experiment with different spices like cardamom or allspice for a unique flavor twist.
- Make it a streusel loaf: For an extra layer of deliciousness, top with a homemade streusel topping before baking.
Variations:
- Cranberry Apple Fritter Loaf: Add ½ cup of dried cranberries to the batter.
- Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf: Create a swirl by mixing ½ cup of cinnamon sugar into a portion of the batter and swirling it into the rest before baking.
- Chocolate Chip Apple Fritter Loaf: Add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the batter for a decadent treat.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 300-350
- Fat: 15-20g
- Saturated Fat: 3-5g
- Cholesterol: 40-50mg
- Sodium: 200-250mg
- Carbohydrates: 40-50g
- Fiber: 2-3g
- Sugar: 20-25g
- Protein: 4-5g
This nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used. Enjoy this easy and delicious Apple Fritter Loaf! Share your creations on Facebook and tag me – I'd love to see your baking successes! Remember to use relevant hashtags like #AppleFritterLoaf #EasyRecipes #HealthyMeals #HomemadeCooking #DeliciousDishes to reach a wider audience.