A sweetly spiced apple bread that won’t poison you. I promise. Each slice is like a work of art, packed with a mosaic of fresh, diced apples and crunchy almonds.
2cupsall-purpose floursubstitute half with King Arthur White Whole Wheat, if desired
1teaspoonbaking powder
1teaspoonbaking soda
1teaspooncinnamon
¼teaspooncloves
⅛teaspoonnutmeg
½teaspoonsalt
1cupmilk
¼cupsour cream
2cupsapplesdiced small
⅔cupsliced almondschopped, plus additional ⅓ cup for sprinkling over top, if desired
Rum Raisin Cream Cheese:
8ouncescream cheesesoftened
¼cupbrown sugar
1teaspoonmolasses
½teaspoonrum extract
½teaspoonvanilla extract
½teaspooncinnamon
pinchor two of cloves
¾cupraisinschopped (I used golden)
Instructions
Almond Apple Bread:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour and 8 x 5 inch loaf pan.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and salt; set aside.
3. Beat butter and sugars together until fluffy then beat in eggs.
4. Add flour mixture to egg mixture in three batches, alternating with milk and lastly sour cream. Add a spoon of flour to the apples and toss to coat to help prevent them from sinking to the bottom. Stir in apples and almonds. The batter will be stiff.
5. Spoon into prepared pan and sprinkle almonds over top. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean and top is nicely browned. Cool thoroughly; best not to slice when warm.Rum
Raisin Cream Cheese:
In a medium bowl beat cream cheese with a hand mixer on low until light and fluffy. Beat in brown sugar, molasses, extracts, cinnamon and cloves. Stir in raisins.