Spiced Apple Gingerbread Delight
This Spiced Apple Gingerbread Delight is a heartwarming quick bread that perfectly balances the sweetness of applesauce with the warm spice of fresh ginger. Packed with plump golden raisins and crunchy pecans, this delightful loaf is ideal for gifting or savoring with a cup of tea. Its moist, flavorful texture and unique combination of ingredients make it a standout dessert or breakfast option. Whether you're cozying up on a chilly day or looking for a thoughtful homemade treat, this recipe is sure to impress friends and family alike.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
2 1/4 cups (sifted)
kosher salt
1 teaspoon (none)
baking soda
1/2 teaspoon (none)
sugar
1/2 cup (none)
vegetable oil
1/2 cup (none)
eggs
2 (beaten)
applesauce
2/3 cup (none)
buttermilk
1/4 cup (none)
fresh ginger
2 tablespoons (grated)
golden raisins
1/2 cup (none)
pecans
1/2 cup (chopped)
powdered sugar
1/2 cup (none)
cream cheese
1 tablespoon (softened)
lemon juice
1 tablespoon (none)
lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon (minced)
salt
1 pinch (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
2
Prepare a loaf pan by generously coating it with nonstick spray.
3
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and baking soda, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients.
4
In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs vigorously until the mixture lightens in color and becomes fluffy.
5
Carefully fold in the applesauce, buttermilk, and freshly grated ginger, mixing until just combined.
6
Gently incorporate the dry mixture into the wet mixture, taking care not to overmix.
7
Finally, fold in the golden raisins and chopped pecans, allowing them to be evenly distributed throughout the batter.
8
Immediately pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top if necessary.
9
Bake the loaf in your preheated oven for 55-60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
10
Once baked, allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely (up to 3 hours).
11
For a finishing touch, prepare a simple glaze by mixing powdered sugar, cream cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled loaf before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spiced Apple Gingerbread Delight?
It is a heartwarming quick bread that balances the sweetness of applesauce with the warm spice of fresh ginger, featuring golden raisins and pecans.
What temperature should the oven be preheated to?
The oven should be preheated to 325 degrees Fahrenheit or 165 degrees Celsius.
How should the loaf pan be prepared?
The loaf pan should be prepared by generously coating it with nonstick spray.
Which dry ingredients are sifted together?
The all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and baking soda are sifted together in a large mixing bowl.
How should the sugar, oil, and eggs be mixed?
They should be whisked together vigorously until the mixture lightens in color and becomes fluffy.
When do I add the applesauce and buttermilk?
The applesauce and buttermilk should be folded in after whisking the sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs.
How is the ginger prepared for this recipe?
The ginger should be freshly grated before being mixed into the wet ingredients.
How much fresh ginger is required?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of freshly grated ginger.
What is the correct way to combine the wet and dry mixtures?
Gently incorporate the dry mixture into the wet mixture, taking care not to overmix the batter.
What type of raisins are used in this bread?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of golden raisins.
What kind of nuts are included in the recipe?
The bread includes 1/2 cup of chopped pecans.
When are the raisins and pecans added to the batter?
They are folded in last, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter before baking.
How long does the Spiced Apple Gingerbread Delight take to bake?
The bread takes between 55 and 60 minutes to bake.
How can I tell if the bread is finished baking?
The bread is done when a skewer inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
How long should the bread cool in the pan?
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes after removing it from the oven.
Where should the bread cool after it is removed from the pan?
It should be transferred to a wire rack to cool completely.
How long does the bread need to cool before glazing?
It can take up to 3 hours for the bread to cool completely.
What ingredients are needed for the glaze?
The glaze consists of powdered sugar, softened cream cheese, lemon juice, minced lemon zest, and a pinch of salt.
How is the cream cheese prepared for the glaze?
The cream cheese should be softened before mixing.
How is the lemon zest prepared for the glaze?
The lemon zest should be minced into fine pieces.
When should the glaze be applied to the bread?
Drizzle the glaze over the loaf only after it has cooled completely.
What type of flour is recommended for this bread?
The recipe calls for 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour.
What is the amount of sugar used in the batter?
The batter requires 1/2 cup of sugar.
What kind of oil is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of vegetable oil.
How many eggs are required?
You will need 2 eggs, which should be beaten.
What kind of salt is used in the main batter?
Kosher salt is used in the main bread mixture.
What provides the leavening for this quick bread?
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda is used as the leavening agent.
What is the suggested serving accompaniment?
It is ideal for savoring with a cup of tea.
Is this bread suitable for giving as a gift?
Yes, this delightful loaf is perfect for gifting to friends and family.
What is the overall texture of the bread?
The bread has a moist and flavorful texture with crunchy pecans and plump raisins.