A Southern Grace: oats and raisins and walnuts, oh my!

July 1, 2010

oats and raisins and walnuts, oh my!

Yum

What do you make when you have a tub of oats, a massive jar of applesauce, and oodles of raisins on hand?


Some might say that cookies are the obvious choice, but being the lazy gal that I am, my vote goes to quick bread*! The results of this recipe are fluffy yet dense and even a little bit chewy, which is quite a unique quality for this type of bread. Would cookies be better? Perhaps. Perhaps not.

*Are you sick of seeing these gazillions of quick bread recipes yet? Sorry. The mini loaf has become a staple in our household--they make great "handfood," which means they're easy to grab and eat on the run. I doubt the various versions of the convenient little rectangles will disappear any time soon, so if you're sick of 'em, tough. I does what I likes and I likes what I do.


You just come for the profound and abstruse narrative anyway, right? :)

Quick Bread, Version 7.9
(based on these)

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups oats
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup applesauce
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 cup raisins

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a muffin pan with paper liners or grease a different but equivalent-in-portion pan.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg. In another bowl combine the applesauce, buttermilk, sugar, oil, vanilla, and egg. Make a well in the dry ingredients and add in the applesauce mixture. Stir together just until all dry ingredients are incorporated. Gently fold in the walnuts and raisins with a spatula.
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared molds. Bake for 16-18 minutes for muffins, around 30 minutes for mini loaves, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

49 comments:

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

What a wonderful texture! That is a delightful bread!

Cheers,

Rosa

CC11 said...

Yup - it's the narrative that keeps me coming back for me - the recipes are just a plus ;)

megan said...

I don't think I could ever be sick of quick bread. I have a ton on my blog too...i love to try new ones! I just posted a blueberry orange bread that is my new favorite. :) Yours looks really good...not a huge fan of raisins, but I'd replace them with chocolate chips :)

Joanne said...

I could never be sick of your quickbreads! You always have the best flavor combos. Like this one. Awesome.

Barbara said...

Does anyone get tired of quick breads? I hope not, 'cause I make a lot of them!
And this one will go on my list ASAP...applesauce? buttermilk? Yum. Makes this bread so moist!

And yes, I love your fun patter, but your recipes are always so full of gooey, crunchy goodies! (AND you are one of the most supportive bloggers I know!)

Rhetta Stephens @ On Raspberry Hill said...

Sick of quick bread? Never! We love it, and any extra goes to the freezer or the table of a grateful friend.

I think I'll forsake my standard banana bread recipe to try your beautiful, more healthful version. Thanks, as always, for sharing with us.

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Actually funny you ask but I'm not sick of quick breads. In fact I gravitate towards them. Like I would with this! :D

Angie's Recipes said...

You should consider to publish your own "coffee cake" book!
Love this type of cakes, rich, moist and 'pick-up-your-mood'!

vanillasugarblog said...

we need to get you your own bread truck. all these fabulous creations on one truck--yeah you'd make a ton of cash sister.

oneordinaryday said...

I've finally gotten myself some mini loaf pans and need to start using them more!

lisa is cooking said...

Applesauce, oats, walnuts, and raisins--sounds like a healthy and delicious quick bread. Having good handfood on hand is the best.

kat said...

Nice combination!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Buttermilk, applesacue, plump, juicy raisns...I don't see how it could get any better except to add the oats.

Mel said...

I come for the profound and abstruse narrative (even though I don't know what abstruse means) AND for the delicious quick breads.

Faith said...

I could never get sick of your amazing quickbreads Grace! This one is definitely another winner. :)

Ingrid_3Bs said...

I'm okay for quick bread except when you add in raisins. EW!
~ingrid

FOODESSA said...

Grace...it's quite obvious that you have lots of character. You've decided on what you like and for now this is where you're comfortable and this is where you excel ;o)

Great recipe for an easier cake on the go.

Flavourful wishes,
Claudia

laura said...

Not sick of the quick breads, grace! This sounds wonderful, and who doesn't like convenience, speed, and yumminess?!

Marjie said...

What you make with that tub of oats is something good for you that doesn't taste like cardboard! Excellent choice!

The Blonde Duck said...

I'm making this for the in-laws when they come down this weekend...

Nutmeg Nanny said...

You crack me up! Of course we are not sick your quick bread! Mini loaves are the way to go in our house too. Only two of us.

Unknown said...

3 of my absolute fav ingredients!

pigpigscorner said...

I had a bad experience with applesauce. Tried to make healthy muffins by substituting butter with applesauce and they turned out rock hard and nothing like this!

Cara said...

Sick of mini loaves? Who, my dear? not me! If you get tired of them, though, feel free to send some my way :)

Ms. Meanie said...

Just when I thought I kicked my cake craving you go and post this. :P

Seriously, it looks awesome, and again contains a bunch of ingredients I love - nuts, oats, raisins, SUGAR...

P.S. I'm not getting sick of these quick bread recipes. Keep them coming! They all look delicious.

Dani Spies said...

Wow... this looks so good. That s "A lick the screen" photo!

Mimi said...

I'm all for handfood, narratives (profound or not) and quick breads.
Mimi

Deborah said...

I never get sick of quick breads or muffins!!

Lyndas recipe box said...

What, no cinnamon Grace? :)
These do look like such tasty little cakes. I'm always wanting more quick bread recipes. these are just perfect.

Lisa-Marie said...

You had me at oats and raisins! a winning combination if ever I'd eaten one!

This is going into my cakes for autumn folder! I'm making your sour cream cake for my husband's birthday today - it is his very favourite cake!

shaz said...

I likes! I likes! Both the bread and the narrative :)

Nadji said...

Des muffins qui semblent délicieux.
J'aime beaucoup.
See soon.

Penny said...

Gread sounding quick bread! Have a wonderful 4th of July Grace.

scrambledhenfruit said...

I say you can't have too many quick bread recipes, and this one sounds delicious! Applesauce, nuts, and oats? Sounds nutritious too. ;) Share as many of these as you like-
Betty

Hungry Dog said...

Handfood. That's cute. I'm stealing it!

Carolyn Jung said...

With applesauce and buttermilk in the batter, I bet this is one lusciously moist cake that keeps well, too.

pam said...

there is no such thing as too much quick breads.

Sook said...

It's great to find a recipe that uses oats in bread! I usually make cookies or pancakes. This is such a great recipe. I am definitely saving it for later! :)

Gloria Baker said...

Grace this look absolutely yummy and tempting!! love it!!! gloria

LilSis said...

I love that you made these into muffins and I love the applesauce, nuts, and raisins! I wish I had one of these for breakfast this morning!

sweetlife said...

i never tire of your quick breads, hey I love anything quick, great recipe I love that is contains both applesauce and buttermilk, oh too awesome

sweetlife

marla@familyfreshcooking.com said...

We could never tire of quick breads....they are awesome. You always keep us drooling. I say you go for version 20.9. xxoo

Lori said...

I never tire of quick breads. I think they are oh so easy too- they always come in handy.

Half Baked said...

I don't think it's possible to tire of quick breads...mmmm yummy!

Julie said...

Looks just scrumptious! I hope you have a great 4th of July :)

Y said...

Always on the lookout for interesting things to bake with oats. This one looks yummy!

Amy Ricks said...

Love it all! Thanks for cooking and writing. I left you an award if you would like to take a look. http://kitchencentsability.blogspot.com

Amy

Lazaro Cooks said...

Just a perfect recipe and wonderful photo.

Cheers

kimberleyblue said...

Oatmeal and raisin cookies are one of my favourites, and I do always have buttermilk and applesauce left over in my fridge; this sounds pretty perfect to me!