Recipe: Debbie Macomber's Gratitude Bread with Variations (quick bread)

GRATITUDE BREAD

"Remember the friendship bread craze from a few years back? This is a different take on that idea. Giving a loaf of this delicious bread is a sweet way of expressing appreciation to those who have touched your life."



2 cups flour
2/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, melted and cooled
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Your choice of mix-ins (see below)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter an 8x4-inch loaf pan. Line the pan with parchment paper cut to fit the length of the pan with 2-inches hanging over the sides.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the buttermilk, egg, butter, and vanilla, and stir with a rubber spatula just until combined.

Gently fold in your choice of mix-ins.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, until a knife inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs attached.

Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn the loaf out onto a wire rack to cool. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.

This will keep, wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, for 3 days at room temperature or for 3 months frozen.

MIX-INS:
You can use any combination of fruits and nuts as long as you keep the proportion of 1 cup fruit to 3/4 cup nuts. If you're only using fresh fruit, use 1 1/2 cups per loaf.

NORTHWEST MIXED BERRY:
Fold in 112 cups fresh or frozen mixed berries.

PEACH ALMOND:
Reduce the vanilla extract to 1/2 teaspoon and add 3/4 teaspoon almond extract. Fold in 1 cup chopped peeled fresh peaches and 3/4 cup chopped almonds.

PEAR WALNUT:
Fold in 1 cup chopped fresh pears and 3/4 cup chopped walnuts.

CRANBERRY PECAN:
Fold in 1 cup dried cranberries and 3/4 cup chopped pecans.

Makes 1 (8 x412-inch) loaf
Used by permission to Recipelink.com from Clarkson Potter
Source: Debbie Macomber's Table: Sharing the Joy of Cooking with Family and Friends: A Cookbook by Debbie Macomber