Apple Bread RecipesMost apple bread recipes are of the quick-bread variety and don’t depend on yeast for leavening. So what makes quick breads rise? They count on such leaveners as baking powder, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Many yeast breads can take hours to rise, so they require a longer time commitment from a home baker or the use of a bread machine. Quick breads, on the other hand, use quick-rising ingredients that act swiftly, eliminating the time-consuming wait that is necessary for yeast breads. Almost exclusively, apple and other quick breads have five basic ingredients... flour, baking powder and/or baking soda, eggs, and some type of fat, such as butter, margarine, solid vegetable
There are three methods for making quick breads...the quick-bread method, the creaming method, and the biscuit method. The quick-bread method puts all the dry ingredients together and separately, all the wet ingredients together. The two are then incorporated. In this method, the beaten eggs trap air and assist the dry leveners in making the bread rise. You’ll recognize the creaming method because it is also used for cake batters. The butter and sugar are creamed together until fluffy. Eggs and liquid flavoring are mixed in next, followed by the dry and then liquid ingredients. Air pockets formed in the creamed butter aid in the rising process. As is the case with various apple bread recipes, care should be taken to just fold the fruit and spices in, so these pockets are not destroyed. The biscuit method is used mainly for biscuits, scones, and pie crusts. As you may recall from making pie crusts, the fat is “cut” into the dry ingredients. I use a pastry blender, but the food processor has become the tool-of-choice for accomplishing the same technique. The layering from this makes the mixture rise and helps to add flakiness to the finished product. There are many types of bread-like items that also qualify as “quick breads,” including muffins, biscuits, scones and pancakes. With such a broad area from which to choose, let’s give them all a try.
For more apple bread recipes and other quick breads, check out Breakfast and Brunch Recipes. Also find delicious recipes for coffeecakes, scones, and muffins, along with pancakes, waffles, and French toast. To Apple Recipes Home Page from Apple Bread Recipes |
