Fruited Breads Welcome Winter

(Pictured: Apricot Bread)

Dreary days, wind chills, a drafty house all are saying welcome to the New Year.  How to reclaim the start of 2011: Warm up the house with some fruited loaves of bread.  Fruits are excellent additions to quick breads and yeasted breads.  Their flavors and fragrances remind one of spring and summer to come. 

Any pureed or dehydrated fruits will do well in yeasted breads.  Some of my favorites are

• Pureed, cooked apricots
• Oranges, pureed
• Dehydrated cherries or cranberries
• Raisins (with cinnamon)

For quick breads, the addition of pureed, chopped, whole, or dried fruits make wonderful breakfast breads.  Some delicious additions are

• Chopped apples or apple sauce
• Chopped pears or pureed, cooked pears
• Strawberries, whole
• Blueberries or pitted cherries
• Bananas

Where to find spring and summer fruits in January?  Bags of frozen fruits are available year-round at grocery stores.