Apple Spice Bread with Maple Icing

I made apple spice bread with dates and walnuts for my friend’s grandma’s shiva.  We went to the funeral earlier this week and from all the stories she seemed like an amazing lady- smart, witty, hilarious and an unbelievable cook.  I would have been honored to meet her.  

I have never been to a Shiva before.  So, of course I had to look it up on wiki and call my mom and ask what to bring.  Per Wikipedia (that even sounds funny writing it ha), shiva is a week-long mourning period for first degree relatives during which family members traditionally gather in one home and receive visitors.  The mourners are not allowed to serve food, so it is tradition for family and friends who visit to bring food. 

When I called my mom, she said bring a dessert or an appetizer.  I wanted to make something my friend's grandma would be proud of.  Plus.... my boyfriend kind of accidentally got into the funeral procession line with his car and made a bit of scene getting out of the line.  I thought it was embarrassing, but my friend who's grandma passed away found it to be the perfect comical relief he needed.  Anyways, I wanted to make something that would make up for that too.

They loved the icing and the bread.  The only thing they didn't like was the dates, so next time I may leave those out.  Also, they only had desserts, so I am glad I didn't make appetizer.  The event was sad, but it was also nice seeing such a close family.  I feel like that is not as common these days.  Anyways, now I know what to bring to a Shiva in the future.  Life is all about growing and learning.  Hope everyone has a lovely Friday and enjoys this bread at some point :)

Apple Spice Bread

Ingredients

*makes 2 loafs

• 2 and 1/2 cups flour
• 1 and 1/2 cups applesauce
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup dates chopped
• 1 cup of chopped walnuts
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp allspice
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp salt

Maple Icing

Ingredients

* for two loafs

• 1 cup of powdered sugar
• 1/4 tsp of cinnamon
• 1 tbsp soft butter 
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 cup of maple syrup
• 1 tbsp almond milk

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Mix wet ingredients, sugar, oil, eggs, and applesauce until mixed well and smooth.
3. Stir in flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg until well blended.
4. Fold in chopped dates and walnuts. 
5. Pour half of batter into one loaf pan prepared with butter or oil and the other half in another pan.
6. Bake for 50-60 minutes until middle of loaf is fully cooked.  If you put a tooth pick or knife make sure there is no batter on it.  
7. Let loafs cool.
8. Mix butter, vanilla, almond milk, and maple syrup with whisk until smooth.  Add powdered sugar with cinnamon a little at a time via a strainer so that you don't get lumps.  Mix until consistency you are looking for.  Pour on and enjoy!