I always feel like I need to preface ANY blog entry I do that is baking related:

I’m not a baker. I’m still trying to work on it. Give me cooking any day, but baking – I can surely leave it behind.

This past Sunday was definitely a clear reminder as to why.

The night before, while enduring the latest rain storm to move our way (we’re waterlogged, no more, okay?), I decided I was going to give homemade mac ’n cheese a shot. Again. Something about past recipes (read reviews first!) the consistency just hasn’t been what I’m going for.

Despite a “I can’t stop whisking the milk now! I’ll waste a carton of milk!” panicked-bathroom-potty-training-toddler fiasco – it was still a better experience for my soul than baking only two loaves of bread the following day.

My son loves pumpkin, but I’m not a fan. Looking for a compromise, and having an abundance of fresh orchard picked apples, the idea for making pumpkin apple bread came about (look for that coming next week!)

But that only used TWO apples. Which still left me with almost a whole paper bag of apples.

Apple muffins? Apple bread?

Apple bread was decided on because, well, I had a greased second pan ready and waiting to go.

I’m posting the deets on the apple bread first because, depending on where you live, your apple picking season is probably nearing to an end, or has ended.

Time is of the essence! Let’s use those apples!

The recipe I found and used was from Kelly at A Side of Sweet. I gravitated towards it because it was quick (my mom has since informed me that an hour cook time is considered quick in terms of bread making) and the use of cinnamon sugar on the top. It sounded sweet, moist, and a little crinkly. Pairing all of my favorite things.

I have a kid? Meh, I made him bread too. This was MOMMA’S bread.

It. Is. Delish.

For real. I can’t believe that I made it. I’m sure by the time this post goes live, it will be all gone, and I will be considering going back down the baking rabbit hole to make more.

Without further delay… the recipe:

*I should note that I swapped in maple syrup for the vanilla. Because, for the first time since my mother started making and supplying us kids with vanilla extract – I was out, and had forgotten to get more – then forgot I didn’t have any… until I needed it.

Quick Apple Bread Recipe with Cinnamon Sugar

Apple bread ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon iodized salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2/3 cup neutral cooking oil, like canola or vegetable
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups peeled and chopped apples (about 2 medium)

Cinnamon Sugar Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×5″ loaf pan and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

3. Add the oil, eggs and vanilla and stir until just combined.

4. Fold in the apples.

5. Scrape into a greased loaf pan.

6. Mix together sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over bread.

7. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the loaf comes out clean, about 60 minutes.

8. Cool for ten minutes then remove from pan to wire rack. Let cool until just warm and then slice.