Breakfast Breads for Back to School

Teenagers in particular tend to grumble when reminded they need to eat something other than a toaster pastry before school in the morning. We always have cereal and granola bars on hand at our house, but breakfast breads are a nice alternative too. I've found that variation helps keep the kids interested in breakfast. Today I have recipes for easy breakfast breads that can be made ahead of time.

The first recipe makes TWO 9x13 pans, which will last a couple of mornings. This makes a nice after school snack as well.

Apple Breakfast Bread

Ingredients:

7 cups sifted all purpose flour

1/2 cup baking powder

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 2/3 cup granulated sugar

1 cup shortening

3 large eggs, beaten

2 1/4 cups water

3 1/2 cups of diced baking apples

3 tbsp. melted butter

4 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Mix flour, baking powder, salt and 6 tbsp. sugar with the shortening using a fork or pastry cutter. Add the eggs and water; mix until it forms a soft dough. Place the batter equally into two well buttered 9x13 baking pans. Spread evenly. Combine the apples, butter, cinnamon and 1 2/3 cups sugar. Spread evenly over batter in each pan. Bake at 400 degrees for about 25 minutes. Makes 25 servings.

Apple Coffee Cake

Ingredients:

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp. butter or margarine

1 egg, beaten

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups chopped apples

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Cream the granulated sugar and 1/4 cup butter with an electric mixer til light. Add the egg, vanilla, apples, flour, soda and salt. Pour into a square baking pan. Top with a mixture of 2 tbsp. butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Bake in 350 degree F. oven for 30-35 minutes. 6 servings.

Spicy Coffee Cake

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 egg

1/2 cup evaporated milk

1 1/2 tsp. vinegar

1/4 tsp. salt

Combine the flour, shortening and brown sugar with a fork or pastry blender. Measure out 1 cup of the flour mixture and mix in a small bowl with the pecans for a topping; set aside. Combine the egg, milk, vinegar and salt-- whisk well. Mix together the spices and baking soda. Add to the egg mixture with the remaining flour mixture. Put into a 8x8 square pan that has been buttered or sprayed with cooking spray. Sprinkle with the reserved topping. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 30 minutes. Serve with butter.

Peach Coffee Cake

Ingredients:

3 cups flour

3 cups granulated sugar

3 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 tsp. salt

3 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup milk

1 lb. 13 oz. can sliced peaches, drained

cinnamon sugar mixture*

1/2 lb. margarine

Sift the dry ingredients; add eggs and mix with a fork or pastry cutter until it's resembles crumbs. Add milk. Spread 1/3 of the mixture in a 9x13 pan. Arrange 1/2 of peaches over the crumble layer. Repeat layers, ending with the crumble mixture. Top with cinnamon sugar mixture and dot with the margarine. Bake at 350 F. for 1 hour or until toothpick comes out clean. 12 servings.

*mix 1/2 cup sugar with 1 tsp. ground cinnamon

On OFL we have recipes for muffins, another favorite breakfast:

http://oldfashionedliving.com/muffins.html

~Brenda