Longing for Autumn

Harvest Apple Bread

• 3 cups flour
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups chopped apples (peeled)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Mix flour, spices, soda, salt, baking powder together in a bowl.  In large bowl, beat eggs then add sugar, oil and vanilla; mix well.  Add dry ingredients to egg mixture and stir just until blended; stir in apples & nuts.  Fill 2 greased loaf pans 2/3 full and bake at 350 degrees for approx 1 hour (or until bread tests done with a toothpick).  Cool in pans for 10 minutes before turning out onto wire racks to cool completely.  Keeps very well at room temp for a couple of days and can be frozen (well wrapped) up to 3 months. 

Here's my plan -- I'm beyond tired of Summer -- so, for the next few weeks I will be baking/cooking all sorts of  'Autumny' breads, casseroles, soups, etc . . . . and, just maybe the weather will actually turn 'Autumn-like'!   Don't know it will work, but if it doesn't -- at least I'll have a freezer full of prepared food !  

Note:  this bread is a 'keeper' !