Apple Pecan Quick Bread

🍏🍞🌰 Apple Pecan Quick Bread: A Delicious Delight 🌰🍏🍞

History 📜:
Apple Pecan Quick Bread is a delightful treat that has become a beloved classic in the world of baking. While there isn’t a specific historical account for this particular bread, quick breads, in general, gained popularity in the United States during the 18th century when pearlash (a precursor to baking powder) was discovered. This made it easier to create leavened bread without the need for yeast or long fermentation times. Over time, various regional twists and flavors, such as apple and pecan, were incorporated into quick bread recipes.

Components 🧁:
The key components of Apple Pecan Quick Bread are:

1. Apples: You’ll need fresh apples, typically Granny Smith or another tart variety, peeled, cored, and finely chopped.

2. Pecans: Pecans add a delightful nutty flavor and crunch to the bread. They’re usually toasted and chopped before adding to the batter.

3. Flour: All-purpose flour serves as the base for the bread.

4. Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the bread.

5. Baking Powder: Baking powder acts as the leavening agent, giving the bread its rise.

6. Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg are common spices to enhance the flavor.

7. Eggs: Eggs provide structure and moisture to the bread.

8. Oil: Vegetable or canola oil keeps the bread moist.

9. Vanilla Extract: Adds a lovely hint of vanilla flavor.

10. Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness.

Steps to Prepare 🍽️:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder, 1 ½ teaspoons of cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.

3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, beat 2 eggs, add ½ cup of vegetable oil, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Mix well.

4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

5. Add Apples and Pecans: Gently fold in 2 cups of peeled, chopped apples and 1 cup of toasted, chopped pecans.

6. Bake: Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

8. Enjoy: Slice your Apple Pecan Quick Bread, serve, and savor the deliciousness!

Time Needed ⏰:

• Preparation Time: Approximately 20 minutes.
• Baking Time: 50-60 minutes.
• Cooling Time: About 1 hour.

In total, you can expect to spend around 2 hours from start to finish, and it’s definitely worth the time for this scrumptious treat! 😋🍞🍏🌰

Certainly! Here are the nutrition facts and some health information for a typical serving of Apple Pecan Quick Bread:

Nutrition Facts (Approximate, per serving):

• Calories: 230-250 calories
• Total Fat: 12-14 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 1-2 grams
• Cholesterol: 20-25 milligrams
• Sodium: 150-180 milligrams
• Total Carbohydrates: 30-35 grams
  • Dietary Fiber: 2-3 grams
  • Sugars: 15-18 grams
• Protein: 3-4 grams
• Vitamin C: 2-4% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Calcium: 2-4% DV
• Iron: 4-6% DV

Health Information:

• Moderation: While Apple Pecan Quick Bread can be a delightful treat, it’s important to enjoy it in moderation due to its sugar and calorie content.

• Fiber: The bread contains a small amount of dietary fiber, which can aid in digestion and help you feel fuller for longer.

• Vitamins and Minerals: It provides some vitamin C and a modest amount of calcium and iron, but it’s not a significant source of these nutrients.

• Protein: While it contains a small amount of protein, this bread is not a substantial protein source.

• Sugar: Be mindful of the added sugar in the recipe, and consider using less sugar if you want to reduce the overall sugar content.

• Calories: The calorie content can vary based on the size of your serving, so it’s essential to be aware of portion sizes.

• Healthy Fats: Pecans contribute healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which can be beneficial for heart health in moderation.

• Customization: You can make this bread slightly healthier by using whole wheat flour for added fiber or reducing the sugar content if you’re watching your sugar intake.

Remember that nutrition values may vary based on the specific recipe and portion size. It’s always a good idea to check the nutrition facts label if you have access to one, or use a nutritional calculator if you need precise information for your specific recipe.