Monday, September 18, 2017

Apple-Raisin Cinnamon Bread on a Rainy Day


Hello, Dear Friends, I hope you are enjoying 
these mellow days of September! 

Here in western Washington State, the seasons 
are changing rapidly. 


It started with a 'visitation' :) 

A lenticular cloud formation, just past 
Mt. Rainier at mid-morning on Friday. 


These amazing cloud formations usually forecast rain 
within 24-48 hours. 

You can read about lenticular clouds and see more amazing photos, Here.



You might almost believe it's a UFO streaking
across the sky! 
Except it wasn't moving........
at least not perceptibly. 


The lower, wispy clouds are smoke, finally lifting,
from the Norse Peak fire near Mt. Rainier. 


By Sunday it rained. 

I could almost hear the collective sigh of relief
from every living thing. 


It has been the 2nd driest summer on record. 
The driest summer was during the years 
between 1915 and 1920 when the 
Pacific Northwest was in a drought. 
100 years ago. 

The good news is that we are having
 several days of rainy, cool weather. 
This will help slow down the fires 
 that were started by lightning back in June, 
in steep, rugged and remote 
locations that are difficult to access. 


While Mother Nature is doing the watering for me, 
I thought I would use my time to do some early Fall baking.
 Apple - Raisin Cinnamon Bread. 
Yum. 

This recipe is so easy - made with ingredients 
you might already have on hand. 
I like recipes like that......there's no planning
involved, just a sudden craving, 
a spare hour or two,
and a kitchen that smells divine. 



Apple-Raisin Cinnamon Bread

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Grease and flour a 9x5 in. loaf pan. 

1/3 cup brown sugar (not packed)
1 tsp cinnamon
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 & 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
 2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup milk
1 apple - peeled and cut into small dice
1/2 cup golden raisins



Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in small bowl and set aside. 

Beat white sugar and butter together until creamy. 
Add eggs, one at a time and beat until smooth. 
Add Vanilla extract. 

Combine flour and baking powder. 
Stir into butter mixture. 
Add milk and stir until smooth. 




Pour half of batter into loaf pan. 
Sprinkle half the diced apple, half of the raisins,
 and half of the brown sugar - cinnamon mixture
over top. 
Pat into batter. 

Pour remaining batter over apple layer, 
top with remaining apples and raisins, 
and brown-sugar - cinnamon mixture. 

Swirl lightly together with finger or wooden spoon handle. 



Bake in preheated oven for 30-40 minutes 
or until a toothpick comes out clean. 

xoxo



Cut a nice, thick slice while still slightly warm :)



It's especially nice with a hot cup of tea 
on a blustery evening. 

Or with coffee and the newspaper on a lazy weekend morning. 



Happy Fall, my friends! 

xoxo


Today I am linking with:

Cooking and Crafting with J & J

Won't you join the fun?

xoxo







48 comments:

  1. It's good to hear that you're getting some much-needed rain. When you saw those clouds indicating rain was possibly on the way you must have been hopeful. Vegetation will be refreshed and hopefully the fires will die down. Your apple-raisin cinnamon bread looks tempting!

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  2. Hi Brigette,gee I didn't realise that the fires were still going,hope you get your much needed rain.
    Love your pics and boy your cake looks so yummy xx

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    1. Sorry meant to say hello Karen xx

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  3. Hello Karen, So glad you're getting some much needed rain. It's hard to believe the fires are still with you. It just shows how dry it must be.
    Loving your recipe of your Apple-Raisin Cinnamon Bread. I have a few windfalls so I have been looking for an apple recipe and this looks very tasty indeed! Thank you for sharing :)
    Have a wonderful week in your cosy home xx

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  4. Your photos are truly amazing, my friend! I have been following your blog for some time now and I am always in awe when I see your Mt. Rainier as it looks different every time. What a beautiful view you have and I am honored that you would share your view with us.

    Your bread....yes, please! I wish I had a slice {of two} right now to go with my coffee {{smiles}} I will have to make your recipe sometime soon.

    Love and hugs to you!

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  5. I wish I lived closer I would be right over to taste some of that beautiful loaf. I will certainly be giving that recipe a go. Thrilled to hear that you finally got the much prayed for rain.

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  6. Well, I think you have the formula! I agree about recipes like that. The homiest thing ever. Such spectacular views! I never get over it. So glad you have gotten rain. I just did a perusal of fall tours. Nice, but nothing as soulful as I found here in your little haven.

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  7. I started making soups this week and it's not even cold yet here in NM. The bread looks delicious. I love your picture of all your stoneware bowls.
    xx Beca

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  8. Oh that does sound good, I like recipes with not much sugar in them, it looks delicious!! I am so happy to hear you all are getting cooler temps and RAIN!! Answer to prayer!

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  9. Amen to the collective sigh of relief we and every living thing felt with the wonderful pitter patter! Baking is always a great thing to do on a rainy day. Lovely loaf!

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  10. So happy it's raining in your area helping to put out the fires. Your recipe looks so delicious and I'm going to try to figure out how to make it using GF flour. Thanks.

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  11. Can you save me a slice? It looks divine! So happy to hear your fire situation is better. Wishing you a fabulous fall. Pat xx

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  12. I read that the state of emergency has been lifted for the fires as of today in BC. So glad you have received the much needed rain. I'm sure the fire fighters were happy for that as well. I can't imagine their exhaustion at battling these blazes.
    Your apple/cinnamon bread looks delicious!! Next time I get the apples, I think I'll be baking this. We have our a/c on again here in Ontario it's muggy and the temps have been in the high 20s all September, and no rain.
    Wendy

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  13. Apple-raisin cinnamon bread - that sounds so delicious, especially on a rainy day. It looks so moist and Yummy, Karen. I'm sipping on my coffee right now wishing I had a piece. I like those pretty plates you served it on. I was looking for the raisins til I noticed in the recipe it calls for golden raisins haha I'm so glad you got rain! And I can't believe those fires started back in June. That's so interesting that the cloud formations forecast the rain. Those clouds are spectacular.

    Enjoy your apple raisin bread, Karen, and I may try this sometime. I'm a baker like you. : )

    ~Sheri

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  14. It does look like a streaking UFO!!! I also am grateful for the rains to help with the fires there and here in Oregon. We have suffered with so much smoke from them here. MMM! Can smell the deliciousness!

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  15. Beautiful views of the mountain! Your bread sounds lovely. I think I'll give it a try - love Apple bread.

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  16. Hummm...Mouth watering!Beautiful pics.Have a lovely week!

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  17. What gorgeous pictures of your mountain! That cloud is awesome. The apple bread sounds pretty awesome too! Pinning it to add to my Fall baking, when I start it. We are in the high 80's here with humidity and will be through the weekend! Send some rain our way...that is when you've had enough :-)

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  18. So very pleased to read about your rain, I enjoyed your photographs.

    I can almost smell the wonderful aroma of that bread cooking ... delicious.

    All the best Jan

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  19. Love the cloud pics! And that bread looks amazing!! I think I can smell it from here. ;) Yum! xoxo

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  20. Hello Dear Karen, lovely to catch up with you again!
    Those cloud formations are really different and always so interesting to see against the backdrop of Mt Rainier.
    Oh those lovely baking smells - always so nice visiting your happy blog :D)

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  21. Hi Karen, those are beautiful photos of the mountains. Glad you received some rain to help the fires. I wish we could send some your way. The cake looks absolutely delicious and I love your presentation of it. Enjoy your week.

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  22. Your recipe seems like a scaled down version of an apple cake I used to make--I will try it as a mid-morning treat for a cool day. So glad you've had the relief of rain!

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  23. Karen, I can almost smell that delicious bread baking from here. I wish! Thank you for including the recipe. It looks easy and perfect for an autumn afternoon (or morning or evening or midnight). Love the cloud pictures! xo

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  24. Dear Karen, my sweet friend, thank you for this so delicious recipe, sounds really yummy!!!
    The photos from the mountain in the clouds are great! I love such pictures!
    Wishing you a wonderful rest of the week, take care,
    love and hugs and blesings to you, my friend, Claudia xo

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  25. Yes, I breathe a collective sigh when the cool air and rain move in, thank-you dear Heavenly Father, thank-you & praise you for your mercy and kindness!

    Our area of Washington set a new record of days without rain ~ 80 days ! We are so happy to see the rain and low temps return, and warm comfort food is called for, finally. Your recipe looks to be one I will try soon, thank-you.

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  26. Dear Karen,

    Love the photos of the mountains and the gorgeous cloud formation. Always good to get some much needed rain. The apple raisin cinnamon bread looks and sounds delicious, many thanks for sharing the recipe.
    Happy week
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  27. What a cool cloud, I've never seen one like that before.
    We've had rain here the last couple of days too. It's nice and finally no smoke in the air.
    Mmmm, that bread looks delicious.

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  28. So glad to read about the rain and what an interesting cloud formation.

    I've saved your bread recipe and hope to make it today. I think it will be a great mood lifter. :-)

    Thanks for sharing ~ Love & hugs ~ FlowerLady

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  29. Oh, I would never tire of staring at that mountain! I'm glad the rains finally came and I hope they squelched most of the fires. Have a blessed day!

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  30. Loving everything about your post! The bread looks fab and thanks for the recipe, yum. Your clouds are amazing and I think you should be on lookout for the little green men, lol, it sure does look like a UFO.

    Last but not least, your stove is amazing Karen! Love how it looks and obviously it bakes quite well :)

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  31. I see that you still make beautiful pictures and delicacies :-)

    Greetings from the Netherlands!
    Gert Jan
    www.gertjanhermus.nl

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  32. WOW that bread looks wonderful and I sure wish I had a piece right now. Thanks for the recipe.

    Mary

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  33. Looks absolutely delicious!! :-)

    Blessings,
    Jill

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  34. Just reading the title of this post had me drawn in! OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, the aroma in my mind's eye [and nose] right now. A bit of heaven.

    And your photos. YUM.

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  35. I'm so glad you finally got some rain. Thank you for the lovely recipe, I shall have to check the UK equivalent of all purpose flour then will give it a try xx

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  36. Lindas imagens e um bolo com muito bom aspecto! Deve ser delicioso! Felicidades.Cumprimentos.

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  37. I liked seeing your "visitation", and glad you got some well needed rain! Your bread sounds absolutely perfect for Fall, Karen. I, too, love those recipes where all the ingredients are right there. I can practically smell that delicious bread...yum! Thank you for the recipe! Happy Friday and weekend, my friend. xo

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  38. Hello, gorgeous views of the mountains and cool cloud formations. I would have loved to have been in your kitchen when your bread was baking. I am sure it smelled heavenly. I will save this recipe, thanks for sharing. Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!

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  39. You are making my mouth water. I used to make an apple cake with whole wheat flour. I can get away without using sugar when it's a fruit cake or bread. And I can't wait for cooler temps...it was 90 degrees here today! Enjoy your weekend sweet friend. Happy Fall!

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  40. I think I'll try this gorgeous recipe as I'm a big lover of all kind of apple cakes, pies, bread. Thanks for sharing the warmth, the cozyness and the positive mood of your beautiful nest among the woodlands in America.
    Happy weekend dear Karen!
    Olympia

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  41. How blessed you are to have such an incredible view of that mountain. The photos are wonderful!! Have a nice rest of your weekend!! xo

    ~ Wendy

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  42. Stunning scenery! With views like those I would have a hard time breaking away from its spell. Thank you for the delicious recipe. I would dearly enjoy a slice right now but I will be getting my shopping list done in the morning :). Happy Sunday to you!

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  43. Hello Karen, I just loved the photo of your bread and I am going to try it! And I wanted to mention that your oven is so gorgeous...
    So thankful you have finally gotten some much needed rain, I loved the way you put it, It was as if everything just sighed a sigh of relief.
    You can see the hand of God in your mountain view, each and everyday is different.
    Hugs, Roxy

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  44. Dearest Karen,
    So happy for the rain in your region; so much needed for the wild fires!
    Well, baking something delicious is the very best one can do during such dark days.
    Sending you hugs from a warm and sunny Georgia!
    We are about to go biking...
    Mariette

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  45. That apple raisin cinnamon bread looks so delicious! And so perfect for Autumn! Yes, this has been a DRY summer!!! We finally got some rain a couple of times while I was away in Virginia, Russell said. Just light and drizzly, but it kept him from watering my plants (I know he was happy he didn't have to do that! :-) ) I came home to our first freeze, so I covered everything, but now the temps are creeping up again, so hopefully my garden will last a while longer. Love the photos of Mt. Rainier! We have snow on our mountains again too.

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  46. Beautiful photos! I would have a slice of that bread right now :)

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  47. This bread looks like the perfect thing to have for tea time during fall!

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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