APPLE BUTTERMILK LOAVES

3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon each baking powder and baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter or margarine
1 cup each granulated and packed brown sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cups (about 1/2 lb. or 1 large) pared, cored and finely chopped Rome Beauty apples
1/2 cup nuts
1 teaspoon grated orange peel

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour two (8x4x2-inch) loaf pans.

Combine flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Set aside.

Cream butter and sugars; beat in eggs one at a time and vanilla. Stir in buttermilk alternately with flour mixture. Fold in apples, nuts and orange peel. Pour into prepared loaf pans.

Bake at 350 degrees F 50 to 60 minutes or until wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack.

Wrap and let stand overnight to allow flavors to blend.

Makes 2 loaves
Source: Washington State Apple Commission