Holiday Hearth Loaves
A moist, flavorful apple raisin loaf with lemon and cinnamon notes, perfect for holiday gatherings, breakfast, or tea time, offering a warm, fruity, and aromatic experience.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup butter or oleo, softened ⓘ
- 2/3 cup sugar ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon ⓘ
- 2 eggs ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons milk ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice ⓘ
- 2 cups flour ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon baking powder ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups peeled, shredded apples ⓘ
- 1 cup raisins ⓘ
Instructions
- Cream together butter, sugar, lemon peel, and cinnamon.
- Beat in eggs until light and fluffy.
- Beat in milk and lemon juice. Stir together dry ingredients.
- Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture.
- Stir until moist.
- Fold in shredded apples, raisins, and nuts.
- Spoon into a greased 5 x 9-inch loaf pan.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using brown sugar instead of white sugar. If you don’t have fresh lemons, lemon extract can be a great substitute for lemon juice. Ensure your apples are well-shredded to blend seamlessly into the batter. Adding chopped walnuts or pecans can enhance the texture, but if you prefer a nut-free option, simply omit them.
Serving Suggestions
These delightful loaves can be served warm or at room temperature. They pair beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee and make an excellent breakfast or snack. For an extra indulgent treat, serve with a dollop of whipped cream cheese spread. They also complement well with Crinkly Gingersnaps for a festive dessert platter.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover loaves in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, wrap the loaves in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to three months. To reheat, thaw at room temperature, then warm in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Holiday Hearth Loaves contains roughly 698 calories, with 7g protein, 56g carbohydrates, and 49g fat. It is a good source of iron (18% of the Daily Value), protein (14% of the Daily Value), and calcium (13% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1768mg per serving (77% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I substitute the apples with another fruit?
Yes, you can substitute the shredded apples with grated zucchini or mashed bananas for different flavors and moisture. Just ensure the fruit is well-drained if it contains a lot of moisture to keep the loaf from becoming too wet.
What can I use instead of raisins?
If you're not a fan of raisins, dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots work wonderfully as alternatives. They’ll add a nice tartness that complements the sweetness of the loaf.
Is this recipe suitable for a vegan diet?
To make this recipe vegan, substitute the eggs with flaxseed meal (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water equals one egg) and use a plant-based butter alternative. Additionally, ensure your milk is plant-based, such as almond or oat milk.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).