Hooray for Fall!

My childhood memories of Fall are full of apple orchards, pumpkin patches and fresh baked goodies from my mother's kitchen. Unfortunately where we live there are few signs of my favorite season, so I have to create them myself! I love baking with apples and pumpkins; the lingering aroma throughout my house is so satisfying! So this weekend we baked a few apple delights!My favorite one, came from a friend in California. It's a very simple and very scrumptious (Marfa everytime I say scrumptious I think of you now) apple bread.Here's the recipe:Bread4-5 large apples, cored and chopped4 large eggs, beaten2 tsp. vanilla extract2 tsp. almond extract2 tsp. baking soda2 tsp. salt2 tsp. cinnamon3 cups flour2 cups sugar Topping:3/4 cup flour1/4 cup sugar2 tsp. cinnamon6 T. butter, at room tempDirections:Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Lightly grease and flour 2 9x5 pans (or 4 smaller ones) Core and chop apples into good sized chunks (about 1 in) In large bowl beat eggs until light and fluffy. Add oil and and beat until mixed well. Add vanilla extract, almond extract, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Beat until thoroughly mixed. Add flour and sugar and mix on low just to blend. Then turn mixer on high and beat until smooth. (batter will be very thick) Fold in apples, mixing by hand so you don't break them too much. Spoon into pans.Topping:To prepare topping, combine flour, sugar and cinnamon in small bowl. Cut the butter into the flour mixture with a pastry blender or fork until crumbly. Sprinkle equal amounts of the topping on each loaf.Bake for 1 hour on center rack. When done loaf should feel fairly firm when touched in the middle. If not, bake additional 5 minutes. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack and cool for 5-10 minutes before removing from pans. Bread will also slice better once cooled.*I find that is usually tastes better the next day once the apples have a chance to release their flavor into the bread. This also freezes well!Up next: Pumpkin Scones with Pumpkin Honey Butter...Mmmm!!Happy Fall Y'all!