Apple Pie Bread

Every Christmas season, I like to bake most of my gifts. I find it to be the perfect way to give holiday gifts to all of my friends without breaking the bank. And everyone is always so impressed that it's home made. I guess it all started several years ago when I decided to visit a few friends on Christmas Day. My Father always said to "ring the doorbell with your elbow." In other words, you should always bring something when you visit someone. So, each year, I pick one recipe, usually a bread of some sort, and make lots and lots of them. From then on, it became a sort of tradition.
This was the bread that I made last year and it was a huge hit! Many people have asked for the recipe. So here it is. It's moist, comfortable and goes great with a cup of coffee or tea. Don't wait until the holiday season to try it! It's great any time. Oh, by the way, this bread freezes well, so make a few and keep them in your freezer. Then you'll have it on hand in case you have unexpected company.

2 1/4 c flour
1/2 c rolled oats
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1 lg egg
1 lg egg white
3/4 c brown sugar, packed
1/4 c honey
1 tbs vegetable oil
1 c buttermilk
2 c apples, pared, diced



Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour a 9" loaf pan. Set aside. Whisk the flour with the oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Set aside. Beat the egg, egg white, brown sugar, honey and oil with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add the buttermilk and beat again. Stir the flour and apples into the batter by hand just until combined. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Turn out onto rack and cool completely.


Tip:
To make buttermilk, use 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice plus milk to equal 1 cup. Microwave for 15 seconds. The milk will curdle which is exactly what you want. If you don't have a microwave, you can just let it stand until the milk curdles. you'll get the same result. The microwave just speeds the process.
This recipe can easily be doubled.