Apple Mixture:
1/2 cup diced apple (peeled first)
1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup unrefined sugar (I use coconut sugar)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp allspice
Batter:
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour (or 1 2/3 cups spelt for wheat-free version)
1/2 cup oat flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp sea salt
3/4 cup vanilla or plain non-dairy milk
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tbsp organic neutral-flavored oil (optional, can omit)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. First combine apple mixture: in a bowl, toss apples with lemon juice and then add applesauce, sugar, cinnamon and allspice. Mix and set aside. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients for batter (sifting in baking powder and soda). Mix well. In a small bowl, combine milk, maple syrup, vanilla, and oil (if using). Add wet mixture to dry, stirring through until just well combined (without overmixing). Add apple mixture to batter, and using a spoon or knife, ever so slightly fold/swirl it into the batter (okay to have thicker spots, as above, these will create delicious flavor swirls)! Pour into a lightly oiled (just wipe with a paper towel) 9" x 5" loaf pan (I use glass). Bake for 40-45 minutes, until golden and a toothpick or skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.
