Spiced Apple Pecan Loaf And An Auction For Charity
3 mini loaves
You all know about my passion for animals and that I work with rescue and animal related charities. One of the groups I work with is called PugsquadSOS. We recently had an auction to benefit a small animal rescue group in upstate NY and I donated homemade baked goods. One of the items I included in this box of treats is this homemade spiced apple loaf. I used my banana bread recipe and adapted it for apples adding some warm autumnal spices and homemade applesauce. It turned out really well, the bread is not overly sweet, is light and smells wonderful because of the spices. This loaf along with other homemade baked goods is currently up for grabs on Instagram, we are raising money for 2 little dogs that need very expensive life saving surgeries and their families do not have the means to pay for it. If any of you would like to bid on my offering or any of the items on instagram go to @portiathepug_paw_pal_auction.
I am bringing these loaves with me to Fiesta Friday #145, last week I co hosted and this week we will all be voting on the feature recipes.
I would also be remiss if I did not acknowledge our veterans today. Thank you to the men, women and canine corp that sacrificed life and limb so that we may enjoy the freedom and safety that sadly we sometimes take for granted, without their bravery it would be a far different world. Bless our Veterans and take care of them each and every day and not just on Veterans Day.
Spiced Apple Pecan Loaf
Makes 1 standard size loaf or 3 mini loaves
4 oz (1 stick) softened butter
1 cup sugar (preferably organic)
2 eggs at room temperature
1 cups flour
1/2 cup spelt flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allapice
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 heaping cup applesauce (I used homemade unsweetened and it was about 1 1/4 cups)
1/2 cup creme fraiche or sour cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped roasted pecans
1 apple peel left on, cored and cut into thin slices
Pre heat oven to 350 degree’s. Butter or grease standard size loaf pan or 3 mini pans.
Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. While creaming the butter sift or whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda and spices. Add eggs one at a time beating between each addition until eggs are incorporated. Add the flour mixture and beat only until combined. Add the applesauce, creme fraiche and vanilla and beat until combined. Fold in the pecans and scrape into baking pans. Place apple slices and whole pecans on top and bake until golden brown and when tester inserted it comes out clean. This will take close to an hour for a large loaf and about 25 minutes for 3 mini loaves.
Auction items
The winning bid will receive:
1 dozen chocolate chip cookies
1 dozen healthful dog cookies
1 dozen fig/pistachio rugelach
1 dozen ginger spice molassess cookies
1 mini loaf banana bread
1 mini loaf spiced apple pecan bread
apuginthekitchen 
Yum-beautiful loaves! Great cause. Cheryl xo
Thank you so much Cheryl!!
Dear Suzanne, quel beau travail dans tous les sens du terme ! Comme tes pâtisseries doivent sentir bon 🙂 Je te souhaite bon succès – et merci pour tout ce que tu fais – Bises et amitiés – france
Merci France, J’aime cuire et aimer la pâtisserie. Cuire pour aider les animaux dans le besoin is especially satisfying. Thank you so much hugs to you and have a great day.
Love apple cake!
Thank you so much Archana.
You have a beautiful heart❤
A giving fire in your soul…🔥
Enjoy this gorgeous day…🌞
❤️❤️
These loaves look delish Suzanne. Happy Fiesta Friday and have a good weekend 🙂
Happy FF a week late, so sorry for the late response. Been crazy here. Hope you have a great weekend.
Our veterans gave so much. Thanks for reminding us Suzanne. Your bread looks wonderful, I love the spelt flour and all the spices you put into it.
The loaves turned out so well, the spices and apple made my kitchen smell delicious. Thank you so much Gerlinde.
Your bread looks absolutely delicious! I love the warm spices you have used and the apple and apple sauce! A lovely post! 🙂
Thank you Petra, I love baking quick breads and experimenting with different flavor combinations. These turned out so good. Have a great weekend.
hi Suzanne
You too! 🙂
These loaves are just the essence of fall! Love that you added pecans! And how wonderful to use your baking gift to help care for animals in need.
Thank you so much. The auction was a success and the little pug Simon is scheduled for surgery on the 27th. A win win.
Perfect for the weather Suzanne! Lovely loaves there!
And I admire you for your cause of supporting dogs! You have a gentle heart! ❤️
Thanks so much Sonal, helping animals is my passion, I devote as much time as I can to rescue and charity work. My heart breaks everytime I see cases of abuse and neglect. This is my small way of helping to make a difference in the lives of the helpless.
The work you do for dogs is greatly appreciated by many, Suzanne! The apple loaves would be something I’d happily partake in. xoxo
Thank you so much Kathryn. I love baking and I love dogs so this was something I really enjoyed.
Reblogged this on ravenhawks' magazine and commented:
Those are beautiful loaves Suzanne. Please support Suzanne cause if you can on instagram go to @portiathepug_paw_pal_auction.
Dyanna thank you so much. I am so sorry to just be commenting. I have had so much going on, I am late in responding. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
You are welcome, no worries life sometimes get hectic, it happens to all of us.
What a wonderful thing Suzanne to combine your talent in the kitchen for your love of animals. This bread looks amazing and I know your auction was successful!
It was Julie and the little dog is having surgery on the 27th of November. A combined effort by caring members of our IG community made this all possible. Thank you so much.
I am frequently looking for recipes using homemade applesauce since I just canned a bushel of apples. Animals (especially dogs) and food – always a plus.
I wish I had canned some apples but this year I only had a small amount. I love homemade applesauce. Thank you so much.
I was just in NYC, but my daughter kept me so busy I never had time to call you and see if we could meet. We even went to Brooklyn, for dinner at Zenkichi. Have you been there? What an incredible experience. I originally assumed she would have to work when I visited, so it turned out great. I visited Le District, which is a French version of Eataly. Really fun. But mostly it was just Christmas shopping. A beautiful bread, and you’re so wonderful to work so passionately for animals. Oh, my daughter surprised me with a visit to Meow Parlor – have you heard of it? You pay to play with cats/kitties!!!
I figured you got really busy that happens when you are in NYC. No, never been to that restaurant will have to try it. Never heard of meow parlor either, I know that they rent pets here so you can have the experience of having a pet without the commitment. Next time you come we have to meet!!!
Definitely.
I know, I promise I will make time. Renting pets sounds lovely, too! With three dogs, I definitely don’t have a need for that, although mine are all a bit strange. I could probably rent a giant golden, or better yet, a Bernese, just to get that big dog love out of my system!
Love pugs, had one as a kiddo. Also love your blog and this awesome apple loaf. Will have to bookmark it for future baking.
Thank you so much, it’s a delicious loaf and one I will be making a lot this season. Thanks again.
I will also try it soon. Enjoy.
The loaves look so delicious Suzanne, I bet they smell so good too, with all those spices and apples. I really admire you for all your work and concern for your community as much as I enjoy each of your yummy recipes! Have a great week and take care.
Viviana thank you so much, I am actually making more of these loaves today. Love making quick bread and playing around with the ingredients. Have a great weekend.
I love anything that has pecans in it and your spiced apple loaf sounds great.
Thank you so much Karen. Me too!!
100% YUM!!!
Thank you so much Michelle. Happy Thanksgiving,
Beautiful loaves of apple and pecan goodness!!! Thanks for sharing this 🙂
Thank you so much.
Reblogged this on Chef Ceaser.
Thank you Chef!!
I’ve been buying so many apples just to eat on their own, but I’ll have to make this Suzanne. Such a comfort!
During apple season there is never a time when I don’t have them in my fruit bowl, love apples. Thank you so much Mary, hope you have a great weekend.
What a clever idea – adapting your banana bread recipe for apples, it made me realise how little creativity I bring to my cooking. 😉
It is such a great recipe I loved adapting to different fruit. Thank you so much.
These apple spiced pecan cakes look absolutely divine! What a great idea! MMMM!
Thank you so much Sophie, it was wonderful.
I have a recipe for apple cake, but I think I’d love the bread better, especially with the homemade applesauce. This sounds yummy. I love pecans baked into almost anything, too.
Thanks Mary, I have a fantastic recipe for apple cake as well but these loaves are so easy to make and I love having little loaves that I can freeze and use when needed (or wanted) Have a lovely weekend!!
Enjoy your Fiesta Friday, Suzanne.
What beautiful loaves–and all those wonderful treats for a great cause!
So smart, Suzanne, to use your homemade applesauce adapted into the banana bread recipe! Glad it came out so well! And the collection of treats looks awesome! Who wouldn’t want that to arrive at their door??! Are you baking/cooking for Thanksgiving?? Going with friends/family?? Having people in?? Hope it’s a wonderful delicious day for you and has some quiet moments to sit back and enjoy it all… I’m thankful for you friend. hugs.
Beautiful Suzanne
Suzanne, this looks delicious! I love these types of desserts, especially with a cup of coffee 😀 What a wonderful event and I am sure your donation is much appreciated! Have a wonderful rest of your weekend!
Reblogged this on Once Upon a Spice and commented:
A Lovely Autumn Recipe from aPugInTheKitchen!
Thank you so much Lana, Happy Thanksgiving😀😀
You’re so welcome! Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Hon!
Great cause. I would love to be part if I was some were near. You are amazing. Your bakes looks great. A brilliant post.