Craft n' Baking Binge

It has been dreary n' gray all day; A November type of day! I took my hubby to the airport, so what to do
while he is headed to Washington. Binge, a craft binge that is. I decided to get my craft groove on; In his
words, that would mean a mess or Hurricane Ellen.

My kids are use to my messy creative moments! I usually make something for them among the mess. I had a lot of apples left over from apple picking,I made Apple Cranberry bread. This bread is filled with so much fruit that it reminds me of a fruit cake. Every bite is filled with apples, cranberries and I add walnuts to mine.  It taste like Fall, to me.

 This is a double batch; One loaf goes fast. I only make this bread in the fall, when these fruits are in season. I tend to try to cook, this way, the produce is better quality and usually a good buy~

 Here is the recipe  ;-D ( for one loaf)

1/4 cup butter, 1 cup sugar or splenda=to one cup, 1 egg beaten,1 1/2 tsp vanilla ext, 2cups all purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 cups apples, peeled, sliced and diced into cubes. I think my cups are rounded over, I like the batter to just stick to the fruit. 1 cup cranberries, chopped, 1/2 cup walnuts, I tend to have a heavy hand with these.  You may need a few tbsp of water, different apples yield different moisture.  If you make a sugar free loaf with Splenda or Stevia, you will definitely need to add the water. Sugar adds to the moisture, Splenda doesn't. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Cream butter n' sugar, add the beaten egg and vanilla.  Sift together your dry ingredients, flours, salt, baking soda n 'powder, mix well with a fork.  Chop your apples into cubes and your cranberries can be coarsely cut.  Combine the creamed mixture with the dry.  If batter is dry add a few tbsp of water, then stir in your walnuts.  Mix well.   Grease or spray your loaf pan with oil.  Bake for 45-60 minutes.  When cool, wrap in foil and refrigerator.  I first made this recipe, after hiking in Maine;It was awhile ago. I remember my boyfriend, now husband said,  I found a way to his heart, through his stomach.   I did, lol!    


 My daughter just ran out of her room and asked, what is that amazing smell?!

                                                                                
 The apples make it sweet n' moist; the cranberries give it a tangy, tartness!~  If you make it; You'll have to let me know~   
This is a mistake, but I kind of like it.  You never know what you will come up with, experimenting in the kitchen and crafting. It is fun to see what you can do, whether you  Make it or bake it~ 


If you need some inspiration; Here is a free publication filled with a world wind of talent.  I am in awe of Amy's talent and hard work, putting so much time into this project.  It is online, free and has amazing crafts, to put you in the mood  to create something, for this holiday season!





Comments

Cruella Collett said…
Mmmmmmmm - I can almost smell it all the way here! It looks absolutely YUMMY, and you made me veryvery hungry right now! Wish we had cranberries here (I don't think I've ever seen any, at least not fresh - we get them as flavours and in things, but regular cranberries? Never even thought of the possibility).

Have a great time binging ;)
Julie@beingRUBY said…
Wow Ellen
Them some big pictures you have missy!! haha

Hurricane Ellie.. watch out world here she comes..!!!

If it is any consolation.. It's grey, depressing and raining here too and just ain't spring!!!

Have a lovely week.. xxx ciao Julie
Becky Shander said…
It looks like you enjoyed a wonderful day indoors...isn't it fantastic that we can produce our own sunshine?
At least Hurricane Ellie brings good things!
Ella said…
Alex-Thank you, you brightened my day!

Becky-I love your comment,about producing our own
sunshine. It is true, when can re color our days, if we make the time to do something we love!

Julie-I hope the sun shines on your world today; It is the same here today! Showers do help bring the flowers... I'll send you some sun, when I see it again! xXx

Cruella-Oh, I didn't know; Maybe in the frozen food section? We only can get them in the Fall, here. I always buy some to freeze for later. What about dried ones, in your canned fruit section. I hope you can find some! Thank you!
LTM said…
GORGEOUS!!! And my stomach is growling all over the place now... That looks fantastic.

oh, and I love the grapey, leafy new background. This is all so wonderful, I want a warm blanket and a cup of coffee... :o) <3
Lorena G. Sims said…
Mmmm, that looks good and I bit it was Yummy! I just ate breakfast but I'm feeling hungry right now. I'm not much of a cook but I love to eat. Those bread makes my mouth watered. I love apples plus you add those cranberries, mmm mmm good!
Arlee Bird said…
You are so industrious. You make me feel so slothful. I will gladly trade my sunshiny 90 degree Los Angeles day for your gloomy dreary one. I love cloudy days with promise of rain.

Lee
Tossing It Out
DEZMOND said…
I've never seen such lovely cranberries before. Here in Europe they are much much smaller and do not look so firm, like little cherries! Mmmmm ....
Wanda said…
Oh my it looks scrumptious.
Anonymous said…
I love cranberries. Love the band The Cranberries, cranberry juice and Vodka, and cranberry muffins.
Ella said…
Stephen-Me, too :-D

Wanda-No, cranberry coke, yet...lol

Dezmond-Really, I know New England has a huge market. Thanks for sharing~

Lee-Sloth day happened,the next day; It poured all day and so dark. I do enjoy a few rainy days, especially in Spring for growth and summer the Earth needs a drink. We all have our sloth moments~

Lorena-I wish I could share ;-D It is that good; I have request to make more... lol

LTM-I hear you; Nothing like getting cozy and a little noshing~
Unknown said…
i am doing a cranberry post... and I want to cut and paste your terrific cranberry picture... I love it...
Jennifer said…
I would love to come over for a treat and some crafting fun
Ella said…
Jennifer-I wish, that would be so fun~

Lisa-YOU have my permisson; Go ahead, use it~!