Golden Apricot Nut Loaf
This delightful Golden Apricot Nut Loaf is a cherished recipe that captures the essence of homemade comfort. Inspired by my mother's aromatic kitchen, this quick bread combines the sweet-tart flavor of dried apricots with the crunchy goodness of chopped nuts. Perfectly spiced with a hint of orange, it’s a wonderful addition to any holiday gift basket or brunch spread. Moist and flavorful, this loaf is not only easy to bake but also a heartfelt gesture. Share the warmth of this bread with friends, family, and teachers during the festive season.
10
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
flour
2 1/2 cups (All-purpose flour)
sugar
1 cup (Granulated sugar)
baking powder
3 1/2 teaspoons (Leavening agent)
salt
1 teaspoon (Table salt)
butter
3 tablespoons (Melted)
milk
1/2 cup (Whole milk or buttermilk)
orange juice
3/4 cup (Freshly squeezed)
egg
1 (Beaten)
nuts
1 cup (Chopped (walnuts, pecans, or your choice))
dried apricot
1 cup (Chopped)
orange rind
to taste (Grated)
Instructions
1
In a small saucepan, bring enough water to cover the dried apricots to a boil. Add the apricots and let them simmer until they are soft, about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool.
2
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
3
Generously grease and lightly flour two 7x3x2-inch loaf pans to ensure easy removal.
4
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
5
Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the melted butter, milk, orange juice, and beaten egg. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
6
Gently fold in the softened dried apricots, chopped nuts, and grated orange rind, ensuring an even distribution throughout the batter.
7
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared loaf pans.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for about 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
9
Remove the pans from the oven and allow the loaves to cool in the pans for 15 minutes.
10
Carefully remove the loaves from the pans and let them cool completely on a wire rack before serving or storing.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Golden Apricot Nut Loaf?
It is a moist and flavorful quick bread that combines the sweet-tart flavor of dried apricots with crunchy chopped nuts and a hint of orange.
How many loaves does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield two 7x3x2-inch loaves.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking.
How do I prepare the dried apricots?
Simmer the apricots in a saucepan with enough boiling water to cover them for about 5 minutes until soft, then drain and cool.
What is the recommended pan size?
The recipe calls for two 7x3x2-inch loaf pans.
How should I prepare the loaf pans?
Generously grease and lightly flour the pans to ensure the bread can be removed easily.
What are the dry ingredients in this recipe?
The dry ingredients include 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 3 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1 teaspoon of table salt.
What liquid ingredients are required?
You will need 1/2 cup of milk (whole or buttermilk), 3/4 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice, and 1 beaten egg.
Does the butter need to be melted?
Yes, the recipe requires 3 tablespoons of melted butter.
How do I combine the wet and dry ingredients?
Create a well in the center of the whisked dry ingredients and add the melted butter, milk, orange juice, and beaten egg, mixing until just combined.
Is it okay to overmix the batter?
No, you should only mix until the ingredients are just combined; overmixing can affect the texture.
When do I add the apricots and nuts?
Gently fold in the softened chopped apricots, chopped nuts, and grated orange rind after the wet and dry ingredients are mixed.
What kind of nuts work best?
You can use walnuts, pecans, or any choice of chopped nuts you prefer.
How long does the loaf need to bake?
Bake the loaves for approximately 55 minutes.
How do I know when the bread is finished baking?
The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How long should the bread cool in the pan?
Allow the loaves to cool in their pans for 15 minutes after removing them from the oven.
What is the final step of the cooling process?
Carefully remove the loaves from the pans and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
Can I use buttermilk instead of regular milk?
Yes, the recipe suggests using either whole milk or buttermilk.
What gives the bread its orange flavor?
The orange flavor comes from 3/4 cup of orange juice and grated orange rind added to taste.
Is this recipe suitable for gifting?
Yes, it is specifically described as a wonderful addition to holiday gift baskets for friends, family, and teachers.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
The recipe makes approximately 10 servings.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients total, including the orange rind and leavening agent.
What type of flour is used?
The recipe uses 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour.
What is the leavening agent?
The recipe uses 3 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder as the leavening agent.
Should the orange juice be freshly squeezed?
The preparation notes suggest using freshly squeezed orange juice for the best flavor.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of granulated sugar.
How should the orange rind be prepared?
The orange rind should be grated and added to the batter to taste.
What is the texture of the Golden Apricot Nut Loaf?
It is described as a moist and flavorful quick bread with a crunch from the nuts.
Are the apricots used fresh or dried?
This recipe specifically uses 1 cup of chopped dried apricots.
Is this bread served at a specific time?
It is a great choice for brunch spreads or as a festive holiday snack.