Berry Bread

I have been staring at this recipe and others like it for a week now, so I hope you try it and like the wonderful combination of berries and crunchy nuts! We can still find fresh berries at our markets, so enjoy them while they last! Check older posts here or our webpage for more berry tips and ways to preserve them all year round.

Berry -Almond Quick Bread

· 1 1/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour (see Note), or whole-wheat flour

· 1 cup all-purpose flour

· 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

· 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

· 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

· 1/4 teaspoon salt

· 2 large eggs

· 1 cup nonfat buttermilk, (see Tip)

· 2/3 cup brown sugar

· 2 tablespoons butter, melted

· 2 tablespoons canola oil

· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

· 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

· 2 cups fresh berries, (whole blackberries, blueberries, raspberries; diced strawberries)

· 1/2 cup chopped toasted sliced almonds, (see Tip), plus more for topping if desired

1. Preheat oven to 400°F for muffins, mini loaves and mini Bundts or 375°F for a large loaf. (See pan options, above.) Coat pan(s) with cooking spray.

2. Whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.

3. Whisk eggs, buttermilk, brown sugar, butter, oil, vanilla and almond extract in another large bowl until well combined.

4. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, pour in the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Add berries and almonds. Stir just to combine; do not overmix. Transfer batter to the prepared pan(s). Top with additional almonds, if desired.

5. Bake until golden brown and a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, 22 to 25 minutes for muffins or mini Bundts, 35 minutes for mini loaves, 1 hour 10 minutes for a large loaf. Let cool in the pan(s) for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. Let muffins and mini Bundts cool for 5 minutes more, mini loaves for 30 minutes, large loaves for 40 minutes.

Some secret tips for a more successful bread baking!

· Make Ahead Tip: Store, individually wrapped, at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. | Equipment: Pan options: 1 large loaf (9-by-5-inch pan); 3 mini loaves (6-by-3-inch pan, 2-cup capacity); 6 mini Bundt cakes (6-cup mini Bundt pan, scant 1-cup capacity per cake); 12 muffins (standard 12-cup, 2 1/2-inch muffin pan)

· Note: Whole-wheat pastry flour is milled from soft wheat. It contains less gluten than regular whole-wheat flour and helps ensure a tender result in delicate baked goods while providing the nutritional benefits of whole grains. Find it in the baking section of the supermarket or online at King Arthur Flour, (800) 827-6836, bakerscatalogue.com.

· Tips: No buttermilk? Mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice into 1 cup milk.

· To toast sliced almonds: cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.

*eatingwell.com