Image & Caption Credit : Mama’s Cooking Recipes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 2 tsp butter
- 3 cups flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons yeast
- 1/2 cup diced apple (peeled)
- 1/3 cup walnuts or crushed walnuts
Step 1: Prep Work – Let’s Get Ready to Bake! Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a loaf pan lightly or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Now, gather all your ingredients and equipment. Put on your favorite cooking playlist – it’s baking time!
Step 2: Activate the Yeast In a small saucepan, heat the water and butter until warm but not boiling. We want it to be just right, like a cozy bath for the yeast. Once warm, pour this mixture into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the yeast over the water-butter combo and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it starts to froth. This is when you know the yeast is activated and ready to party!
Step 3: Mix it Up – Let the Magic Begin! In the same bowl with the activated yeast, add in your flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Mix everything together until it forms a dough. Now comes the fun part – kneading! Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it until it becomes smooth and elastic, like a little doughy yoga session.
Step 4: Applelicious Addition Once your dough is all zen and elastic, it’s time to add in those juicy diced apples and crunchy walnuts. Fold them gently into the dough until they’re evenly distributed, like a cozy apple and walnut hug.
Step 5: Rise and Shine Place your dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm, cozy spot for about an hour or until it doubles in size. While you wait, maybe do a little dance or practice your bread baking victory speech – you’re doing great!
Step 6: Bake to Perfection Once your dough has risen to glorious heights, gently punch it down (yes, you read that right – give it a little love tap) and shape it into a loaf. Place it into your prepared loaf pan, cover it again, and let it rise for another 30 minutes. When it’s nice and puffy, pop it into the preheated oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes until it’s golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Step 7: Let it Cool – Patience is a Virtue I know, I know – the smell of freshly baked bread is irresistible, but trust me on this one. Let your Dutch apple bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This waiting game is tough, but the end result will be worth it!
Step 8: Slice, Serve, and Enjoy! Finally, the moment you’ve been waiting for – it’s time to slice into that warm, fragrant loaf of Dutch apple bread. Grab a serrated knife, cut yourself a thick slice (or two), and savor every delicious bite. Whether you enjoy it plain, with a smear of butter, or even a dollop of whipped cream – this bread is sure to bring smiles and satisfy your cravings!
Congratulations, you’ve just baked a delightful Dutch apple bread that’s bound to impress friends, family, and maybe even yourself! Now, sit back, relax, and bask in the warm, cinnamon-infused glory of your homemade creation. Happy baking! 🍞🍏✨
