Sunday, March 22, 2015

Apple Cheesecake Bread

I thought I'd come up with a bread that would be perfect for those days when the sun is shining, temperatures are in the 70s, you've worked in the garden most of the day and now just want to sit back, enjoy a glass of wine on your porch or deck. Tall order...maybe not! That day was yesterday and an assortment of cheeses and fruit seemed like the way to end it.

My grandpa Frank loved a slice of cheese with apple pie, so this combination seemed very natural to me. I used, Manchego, Tipsy Goat, Harvati, Smoked Gouda, and an Irish cheese called Dubliner; Honey Crisp apples were the perfect choice for fruit.

Apple Cheesecake Bread
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature*
8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, at room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups Natural applesauce (I used Motts, but you could make your own)
3 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. Apple Pie Spice
1 cup pecans (or walnuts) chopped

*If you cut your butter into 1/2-inch cubes, it will soften quicker!

Preheat oven to 350F-degrees.  I used my tea loaf pan + a mini bundt, but this will easily make a 12-cup Bundt cake, or 2- 9"x 4" loaves.  Grease and flour (I use a baking spray that combines both) the pan(s) of your choice, filling them about two-thirds high.

In a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese together.  While the mixer is running on low, slowly add the sugar, then push the speed up to med/high and mix until fluffy.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.  Add the eggs, one at a time, until incorporated, then, add the applesauce and vanilla and mix and scrape down the sides again.

Add the dry ingredients and nuts and mix on low just until combined.  
Spoon batter into the prepared pans. Bake tea loaf pan about 40-45 minutes, small bundts about 30- 35 minutes, loaf pans 40-45 minutes, and 12-cup bundt about 45-50 minutes, but check using a wooden skewer when the center is done just in case.
That's it!  Warm, wonderful apple bread and cheese was the best way to end a perfect day. Enjoy!

 

13 comments:

  1. Perfect!! I love the idea of the cheese assortment with the fresh apples and with slices of the Apple Cheesecake Bread.

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    1. So refreshing and the apple bread would make wonderful sandwiches too!

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  2. This is a GREAT bread to welcome SPRING! I would love a slice for my morning tea, Susan.

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    1. ...and I loved to be there to have this with you!

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  3. I love anything made with apples! This sounds so good. Happy Spring my friend and Sis! Sweet hugs, Diane

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    1. Everything is just busting--flowering trees, bulbs, and my peonies are poking up! Happy Spring to you too, Sis

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  4. Replies
    1. Very moist and yummy; it started when I made it a few weeks ago with "leftover" apple sauce cups I had bought for the grands when they were here. Never let anything go to waste as my mother always said!

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  5. The bread sounds wonderful and I am going to make some. Thanks so much for the recipe. I worked in the garden off and on all weekend too.

    Have a great week.
    Mary

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  6. That sounds divine! I may have to give it a try next weekend.

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  7. Mmmmmmmmmm! this sounds so good. no chocolate! yeah!
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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  8. Yum! This sounds like a wonderful bread, Susan!

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  9. Yum-o! You are truly a baking goddess!

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