I'm hesitant to say it in case I jinx us but the last week has been the most beautiful weather in Brisbane. Yes it's a bit cool in the mornings and in the shade but the sky has been a crystal clear blue and a gently breeze has been blowing.
It's been so beautiful that I've been on two picnics in the last week. On Sunday, our local park was a commercial for a happy community. There were kids climbing all through a police car that was set up for them to play on (in a safe way!). There was a big brass band playing hits like YMCA.
There were people sun-baking in bikinis, taking photos by the water, throwing frisbees, playing with babies, barbequing and soaking up the glorious weather.
My first picnic was earlier in the week with my friend Sarah and here gorgeous twin baby girls. I was in charge of food and thought a little sweet treat after lunch was essential. I try to be good during the week (although not having a wedding dress to fit into somewhat weakens my resistance) so had a flick through a recipe book that I haven't looked at for a while but will be right back into it now - The Complete Food Makeover by Julie Wood.
It's packed full of lighter versions of all the favourites. This recipe reminded me of my favourite tea cake of which I've made a light version too. It's easy to make and if I didn't know, I'd think it was packed full of butter and other deliciously naughty goodies.
This one starts off similarly to most - beat the sugar and low-fat spread in the bowl of an electric mixer until they are light and creamy.
The recipe calls for raw sugar but I only had brown on hand. Calorie-wise they're about the same. I know raw sugar is probably better for you but I like the flavour brown sugar gives it.
With the motor running, add the eggs one at a time and beat just until they're mixed in.
Scrape down the sides and give it another quick beta then take the bowl off the stand.
Scrape the sides down again and add the flours, baking powder and cinnamon to the bowl and stir them through with a wooden spoon.
Add the buttermilk and stir it through too.
I changed it up a bit here too. I normally just add a bit of lemon juice to milk to make buttermilk. As this was a light recipe I used ¾ full-cream milk and ¼ water and added a little lemon to it. I'm not sure if it's the same but the end result was good so I consider it a successful experiment.
Finally, stir through the grated apple. I left the skins on mine when I grated them for extra fiber (ok yes you caught me, mostly because I was too lazy to peel them).
Spread the batter into a lightly greased and lined loaf tin and bake at 180C fan-forced for 50 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
Leave the loaf to sit in the tin for 5 minutes when it comes out of the oven.
Take it out of the tin and place it on a wire rack over a plate or piece of baking paper (something to catch the extra sugar). If you're going to serve it straight away you can put it directly on the serving plate.
Quickly spread the cake with the low-fat spread and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.
Serve up warm slices with a cup of tea and good company in the sunshine.
What about you? Do you enjoy picnics in the sun? What's your favourite picnic food?
Recipe
Ingredients
- 90 g 3oz low-fat spread
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 90 g 3oz self-raising flour
- 90 g 3oz wholemeal self-raising flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup grated apple
- ⅓ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon extra of low-fat spread
- ½ tablespoon caster superfine sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon extra
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 180C(356F) fan-forced.
- Spray a loaf tin lightly with oil and then line with baking paper so that it extends over the long sides.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the spread and brown sugar together until light and creamy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time and beat until combined.
- Scrape down the sides and the beater and take the bowl off the stand.
- Stir through the flours, baking powder and cinnamon and then add the buttermilk and stir it through too.
- Finally, add the grated apple and stir it just until it is mixed in.
- Spread the batter into the tin.
- Bake the loaf for 50 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
- Leave it to rest in the tin for 5 minutes and then turn out onto a plate.
- Spread the hot cake with the extra spread and dust with cinnamon and sugar.
Liz says
I made this and it turned out great! I didn’t have whole meal self raising flour so used normal whole meal flour and added 1 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp baking powder. Mine looked a lot darker than the one in the picture but the taste and texture was lovely. Thanks for the recipe!
Claire says
You're welcome Liz. I'm glad you liked it!
Jennifer says
Made this bread and sadly it turned out doughy! I followed the recipe to the letter, the only thing I did differently was used all plain self raising flour not half wholemeal self raising. Ended up in the bin anyway :-(
Claire says
Oh no Jennifer that's no good!
Corrie says
You already know how much I like the warming qualities of cinnamon. Looks like Lorraine jinxed it because it is cold today! :-)
Claire says
That's ok she can jinx Sydney as long as Brisbane stays warm!
Jen @ Savory Simple says
What a lovely bread!
Claire says
Thanks Jen!
The Café Sucré Farine says
Claire, I'm ready for a piece of this right now - it looks like it would be wonderful for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
Claire says
Well Chris, if you let me know when you're getting on the plane I can pop a loaf in the oven and have it ready when you arrive!
Maureen says
I had lunch in Brisbane today but picnic with this apple and cinnamon bread would have been wonderful. 26 degrees and gorgeous today! It's just started to cool down on the Sunshine Coast but we're still sunny!
Claire says
Wasn't it a beautiful day?! Oh how nice it would be if the weather was always this good (although maybe a bit warmer so I can bring out my summer wardrobe).
Hotly Spiced says
I was just commenting on another blog saying how lovely the weather is here today (22C - Lorraine needs to bring it up a notch), and how it's warmer outside than it is in my house. There's blue sky and plenty of sunshine and I'm starting to get a little bit excited that perhaps winter is in it's death throes. But then, you don't want to speak too soon! I love the look of your loaf and that is perfect picnic fare. I'd better go, something is churning and it's not my stomach! xx
Claire says
Oh I would love it to be the end of winter. My house is the same. I had the heater on this afternoon then went to bring in the washing and it was warm outside!
Can't wait to see what's churning! x
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
I've just come back from overseas where it was snowing to a lovely 20 degree day in Sydney! I hope I haven't jinxed it by saying that! :)
Claire says
I hope you haven't either. It would be nice to think 20 is warm for a little while.
KrisJ says
I love the combination of apple and cinnamon. In fact I eat at least a teaspoon of cinnamon a day because of its medicinal benefits. Yet another yummy recipe to have a go at making....your fresh citrus loaf recipe was a hit here - I think it only lasted a day - it was 'scrumdidlyumptious'!!!
Claire says
I have cinnamon and honey in the morning for the same reason Kris! Scrumdidilyumptious... I must use that word more often!
Christina @ The Hungry Australian says
This looks like such a charming bread. My fave picnic food is curry puffs, mini pavlovas made up on the spot and cold fried noodles - a true mixture of East and West!
Claire says
What a delicious combination Christina! I especially like the idea of the pavlovas. Yum!