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PETERBOROUGH On the hunt for a new tradition to one-up the usual apple-pie-and-ice-cream combo and replace his late mothers Christmas cake, Ontarios apple-loving minister of agriculture may have hit on a winner. An apple loaf with a crumb topping is a brand-new addition to the Leal family Christmas table from the Foodland Ontario recipe collection, and Agriculture Minister Jeff Leal is keen on baking with Ontario apples, to add to the local turkey, potatoes and turnip that he buys in his Peterborough riding. “Its all about local,” he says.
The Best Apple Loaf with Crumble Top 2 cups all-purpose flour ½ cup packed brown 2 tsp. cinnamon 1½ tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. each, baking soda and salt ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg 1 egg, beaten 1 cup buttermilk ⅓ cup butter, melted 2 tsp. vanilla 1 cup apples, unpeeled and diced ⅓ cup walnuts, chopped and toasted
Crumble top: ¼ cup each all-purpose flour, large-flaked rolled oats, brown sugar, chopped walnuts ¼ cup butter, melted ½ tsp. cinnamon
In large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg. Make a well in the centre and add egg, buttermilk, butter, and vanilla. Sprinkle with apples and walnuts; stir just until combined. Spread into parchment paper-lined or buttered 9- x 5-inch metal loaf pan, smoothing top. In a small bowl, combine flour, oats, sugar, walnuts, butter, and cinnamon. Sprinkle over loaf in pan. Bake in 350°F oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until tester inserted in centre comes out clean. Let cool in pan on rack for 15 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack. Serves 12.
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