Apricot-Coconut Bread

For Valentine’s Day I usually give my husband a card and bake a sweet treat, but I forgot to buy a card. I found one that I had given him a few years ago. The card said everything I wanted to say and he loved it. 

I made a favorite recipe, but I altered it. The recipe for Apricot -Coconut Bread calls for ½ C. of water (reserved from simmering the apricots). Instead, I added ¼ C. of sourdough starter and reduced the water to ¼ C. After completing the steps to make the sourdough starter, I am trying out ways to use it. This bread turned out beautifully—my husband likes it very much.

My earlier attempt to make a loaf of everyday sourdough did not turn out so well. That bread was as heavy as a rock. It didn’t raise enough. I will have to keep practicing.

Here is the original recipe for the Apricot-Coconut Bread. If you have sourdough starter you might try my substitution.

1 + ¼ C. dried apricots

½ C. honey

¼ cup coconut oil (melted)

2 large eggs

½ C. water (reserved from simmering apricots)

½ tsp. baking soda

2 + ¾ C. flour

2 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

1 cup coconut (I prefer unsweetened)

Preheat oven to 350°. Butter and flour a 9” x 5” x 3” loaf pan.

Place the apricots in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring the water to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Let them stand in the hot water for an additional 20 minutes and then drain off the water, reserving ½ cup. Chop the apricots.  

Add the reserved water, melted coconut oil, honey and eggs to a large bowl. Mix well with a whisk. Then add the apricots and baking soda. Mix and then add flour, baking powder, salt and coconut. Mix well. The batter will be thick (biscuit dough consistency). If it is too dry, add a tablespoon of water at a time.

Spread batter into the prepared pan. Bake at 350° for 50 to 60 minutes. The bread should be golden brown and when a knife or toothpick is inserted, it should come out clean. Cool on a rack; then turn out of the pan and slice. 

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Kate’s prompt for the Five Minute Friday writing community is: BUT

I am also linking with Sweet Tea and Friends and Senior Salon Pit Stop and also Tuesdays with a Twist .