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Sourdough Apple Almond Raisin Bread
I recently made the stuffed baked apple dessert of the blogger My Moroccan Food. As soon as the aroma from the baking apples began to fill the kitchen, I started planning a sourdough bread version of this dessert. I wanted the aroma in toast form as soon as possible. Even though this bread was inspired by a dessert, it isn’t particularly sweet and the fruit and almonds really shine through, but as one of my kids pointed out, you can sprinkle a little sugar on your buttered toast if you want.
The recipe calls for orange blossom water, which is used in Middle Eastern and French cuisine, and has an amazing perfume-y fragrance. I say this as someone who rarely likes actual perfume. Orange blossom water (also called orange flower water) can be purchased at most Middle Eastern and Indian grocery stores, as well as on the internet, and it seems to last forever in a dark cabinet. If you can’t get this ingredient though, you can double the orange zest or use a couple of drops of orange extract instead. Here is a fun article about the history, manufacturing and uses of orange blossom water from the website Serious Eats.
The whole grain durum flour in this recipe adds flavor and more golden color to the crumb; and proofing the dough in a basket lined with bran flakes adds even more fiber to the bread. The recipe below earned a “this bread is spectacular” from a family member, so I’ll be repeating it as is, but I also have some variations in mind for the future. I may add ground cinnamon or cardamom, possibly another apple, blanched (skinless) almonds instead of raw almonds, and dates instead of raisins. I look forward to hearing about the variations you make too.
Update: Here’s a babka version of this recipe with a rum simple syrup: Apple Almond Raisin Sourdough Babka.
Sourdough Apple Almond Raisin Bread
This sourdough bread is inspired by a Moroccan Baked Apple dessert. It fills your kitchen with the fragrances of apples, raisins, almonds and oranges, and makes an excellent breakfast toast or accompaniment to afternoon tea or coffee.
Ingredients
Additions
Dough
Optional for the Crust
Instructions
Additions Prep
Dough Mixing and Bulk Fermentation
Pre-shape, Bench Rest, and Shaping
Final Proof and Baking
Shopping List
Sourdough Apple Almond Raisin Bread