Apple Pecan Bread

So I had a few apples laying around that were past their prime, but I hated the idea of tossing so much good food in the compost.  I don't like applesauce, so that wasn't an option.  Then I came across this recipe for Apple Pecan bread.  It sounded perfect since I also have some pecans in the pantry being under-appreciated.   So today, instead of getting my homework done, I baked.

Preheat the oven to 325 and then start by peeling the apples and dicing them up.  The recipe calls for two cups diced apples, which actually only took two apples.

I used my old school pint-size food processor to cut em up, but eventually I got to two cups.

While I was in chopping mode, I went ahead and chopped 1 cup of pecans.  I don't like huge chunks in my bread, so I grounded it pretty fine.  The rest of the ingredients are pretty common  - I had them all on hand.

I think what really makes this bread are the spices.  I used cinnamon, a pinch of cardamom (the secret to every great Chai), and a pinch of ginger since I didn't have nutmeg.  Oh, and as always in baking, I let the eggs sit on the counter an hour or so to get to room temperature.  So then I combined most the dry ingredients - flour, baking soda, salt, and spices and mixed them together.

And yes, I kept my promise to dust off those pyrex bowls and actually use them.  This is one of my Butterprint ones.  Then I put the sugar and oil into the mixer, beat well.  Add the eggs and beat again, then add the vanilla and mix together.  Now turn the mixer on low and slowly add the bowl of dry ingredients just until combined.  Then fold in the apples and pecans.  The batter will be thick, sticky, and FILLED with spicy apple-pecan goodness.

Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan (the bread doesn't really rise, so it's ok if it's a little full).  Stick it in the oven and back for 60-75 minutes or until your test toothpick comes out clean.  Let the bread cool as long as you can stand it, then enjoy!

I dusted mine with powdered sugar.  Be warned, this stuff is addictive.  It's a bit like banana bread, just ever so sweet and spicy and when it's warm......
Our loaf is almost half gone already!
Here's the recipe, minus my ginger substitution:

Apple Pecan Bread
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 pinch fresh ground nutmeg
1 pinch cardamom (optional)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups apples peeled, cored, and diced
1 cup pecans, roughly chopped

Enjoy!