I was making something breakfast like for my husband to take into his office for the holidays. I had already made scones, which tend to be a little on the drier side. So I wanted something a little softer to accompany them.
I go through phases of eating a ton of dried apricots, so I happened to have two large bags of them from Costco. I love recipes where I can use what I have on hand. No need to go to the store to supplement the essentials in my pantry!
This recipe does indeed product a very soft and moist breakfast bread.
I was a little concerned when I added the melted shortening to the milk. The shortening had cooled quite a bit, but when added to the milk, there was definitely a curdled appearance.
I know this happens sometimes and everything is fine. But I have also had it happen where the end resulting dish was completely ruined.
I had waited until the last minute though. I really only had about an hour and a half before my husband had to leave for work so I had to go with it. Yes, that means I was baking this bread at six in the morning!
Thankfully everything worked out and the curdled appearance was just that - an appearance. It did not ruin the bread!
The apricots are nice and soft. Soaking them for four hours really rehydrates them nicely. Being so early in the morning I did not have four hours to wait, so I heated my apricots up a bit on the stove to hasten the process. This took a tenth of the time, but still had the same softening result.
The bread was a big hit with all who tried it!
APRICOT NUT BREAD
1 Cup Dried Apricots
3/4 Cup Warm Water
2 1/2 Cups Flour
4 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1 Teaspoon Salt
2 Eggs
3/4 Cup Sugar
Milk
2 Tablespoons Melted Shortening
1/2 Cup Chopped Nuts
Cut apricots in small pieces. Soak in warm water 4 hours. Sift flour with baking powder and salt three times. Beat eggs until light. Gradually add sugar and beat thoroughly. Drain apricots, saving liquid. Add enough milk to liquid to make 1 cup. Add the melted shortening to the milk, then the apricots. Add to eggs. Add flour and beat well. Stir in nuts. Pour into a greased loaf pan that has been lined with wax paper. Let stand 10 minutes. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remove from pan and cool before slicing.
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