Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Apricot Bread #BreadBakers

This month's edition of #BreadBakers comes to you compliments of Mireille of The Schizo Chef.  I laugh every time I see the name of her blog.  I will tell you why.
When we were first married, Frank and I were sitting at the kitchen table talking with his Mom.  Mom worked in a PLAV club and was telling a story of the night before.  She was talking about this guy that was in the bar and describing him as a "skeezo".  I was a little confused but as I listened to her story, I realized she meant Schizo and I began cracking up.  Mom had good humor so she just laughed along with me.  Later that month we got a puppy and guess what we named her?  You got it and true to her name Skeezo was a schizo puppy but grew into a good dog.
Anyway, back to The Schizo Chef, Mireille, who chose the theme of stone fruit for this month's challenge.  It is June and here in Michigan, our stone fruit does not ripen for another couple of months.  I had canned some peaches last season and went into the pantry to see what was left when I spied a huge bag of dried apricots that Frank had bought on a Costco run.  (He can't help himself).  He likes dried apricots, as do I, and we have been feeding them to Little Miss like crazy but it is a HUGE bag!!


I decided to use some of them in this month's challenge.  Originally, I was going to make my Grandma's Raisin Bread and substitute the apricots for the raisins.  Then, I was browsing through recipes and I found this one that I am sharing with you today that I had taken from Taste of Home and forgotten about.  I am so glad that I came across it.  It is moist and tender and sooooooo good for breakfast with a cup of hot joe.  Enjoy!!



Apricot Bread
slightly adapted from Taste of Home

1 c. (about 20) dried apricots, snipped into raisin size pieces
2 c. warm water
1 c. sugar
2 T. butter, room temp
1 egg
3/4 c. rum punch (or orange juice)
2 c. flour
1/4 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
3/4 c. almonds, sliced (or chopped nuts of choice)

Soak apricot pieces in warm water for 30 minutes.  While apricots are soaking, cream butter, sugar and egg together, in the large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, until creamy.  Stir in the rum punch.  Combine dry ingredients and stir into creamed mixture just until combined. Drain the apricots and stir into the batter along with the almonds.  Place into a 9x5 loaf pan that has been treated with baking spray.  Bake in a preheated 350* oven for 55-60 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center removes cleanly.  Let cool in pan on wire rack.  Remove from pan and allow to cool to serving temperature.  Print Recipe


BreadBakers

More Wonderful Breads featuring Stone Fruit


#BreadBakers is a group of bread loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bread with a common ingredient or theme. Follow our Pinterest board right here. Links are also updated each month on this home page.  We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient.
If you are a food blogger and would like to join us, just send Stacy an email with your blog URL to foodlustpeoplelove@gmail.com.

24 comments:

  1. What a funny story about "schizo"! And what a lovely bread you baked. I'm a big fan of apricots.

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  2. That was a great story! Thanks for my little teehee today! The apricot bread sounds delicious, so next time I'm at the store I will buy some dried apricots to try this. I wouldn't mind your posting the raisin bread recipe as well! :)

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  3. Our puppy was schizo too in the beginning. Absolutely nuts! Loved your backstory on it :-) I love dried apricots too and always have a bunch on hand. Love how this bread looks and would love to make it!

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    1. I think all puppies are schizo's for a while Susan. Luckily they outgrow it.

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  4. Very cute story! Way to tie it all together =) Awesome sounding bread too!

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  5. Nice story!! And such a wonderful bread! Sounds really delicious :)

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  6. I can't resist buying big bags of dried apricots, too! This bread looks wonderful...a perfect breakfast! : )

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  7. Yes, I've purchased that same way-too-big sized Costco bag of dried apricots and would love to use them in this recipe.

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  8. this looks too good to resist :) , and enjoyed reading that cute lil anecdote :)

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  9. Hehehe Skeezo...sounds adorable :) I'd like to see her pic sometime! Your bread looks very enticing!

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    1. That was before digital cameras Georgina. I will have to see if I can find an old photo and scan it.

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  10. A nice story followed by a great recipe. I had tasted dried apricot before and liked its taste.

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  11. Sounds like a great bread Wendy, I love ones that can be enjoyed with a hot mug of joe.

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  12. I too am a great fan of dried apricots can eat them like crazy. Can smell the apricots in the bread.

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  13. Loved your skeezo story :-) Aprcito bread indeed looks very moist & delicious.

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  14. love the skeezo story - you had me cracking up and with that rum punch OMG the flavor in this bread must have been awesome

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