Slovenian Almond-apricot Bread

Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 25 mins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 1/2 cups dried unsulfured apricots, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange rind
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup toasted chopped almonds

Recipe

• 1 in a medium saucepan, bring the water and apricots to a boil, then simmer until soft, at least 10 minutes.
• 2 add the butter, maple syrup, egg, vanilla and orange rind; stir well until butter melts.
• 3 remove the mixture from the heat.
• 4 preheat oven to 350°f.
• 5 sift together the flours, salt, baking soda and baking powder.
• 6 fold the dry ingredients into the apricot mixture.
• 7 add the chopped almonds and mix well.
• 8 spread the batter into an oiled medium-sized loaf pan.
• 9 bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, until knife inserted in center comes out clean.
• 10 allow the bread to cool for a few minutes before removing from the pan.