Bake up something sweet and nutrient-dense as we ease into fall. This Apple Berry Quick Bread is the perfect way to do that. Quick Breads are easy to make because they don’t require yeast or proofing; just mix up your ingredients and you’re good to go! Unlike bread made with refined ingredients, we used nutrient-dense options including Lifeway Kefir which provides the unique benefits of probiotics and prebiotics all in one delicious package. No gluten, no artificial anything—because you deserve it and so do your baked goods. Head to the kitchen and whip up this easy-to-digest delight!
Cultured Dairy: The Nutrition Benefits You Actually Need to Know
With increasing research linking the correlation between probiotics, gut health, and immunity, it’s no secret that the integrity of our gut is vital to our health. Although additional factors such as stress, antibiotic usage, and individual health conditions can contribute to the condition of our gut, a focus on healthy food choices is one of the easiest ways to support the microbiome.
Several studies have shown a strong association between the gut-brain-microbiota. Probiotics introduced to the gut have been found to support immunity, improve allergies, and improve digestion.
Studies have shown that reduced diversity of healthy gut bacteria during early years is associated with an increase in food allergies during school-age years. In addition, kefir made from whole-fat milk helps absorb key nutrients such as Vitamins A, D, E, and K. Vitamin K is important because it helps your bones absorb calcium. It’s important to know that kefir contains a special trio: vitamin D, K, and calcium – all three crucial elements to support bone health. Our Farmer Cheese is also a great source of all these nutrients, just in a different format for all the cheese lovers out there.
Ingredients
- 2 cups oat flour
- 1 cup quick rolled oats
- 1/4 cup almond flour (or 1/8 cup coconut flour*)
- 1/8 cup ground flax seed (flax meal)
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey
- 3 cups Plain Lowfat Kefir
- 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1 large sweet apple, diced finely (*use Gala, Fuji, Envy, or Pink Lady varieties for the right level of sweetness)
- 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/4 cup fresh blackberries
- optional: additional berries and applesauce for topping. Or mix together Vanilla kefir and powdered sugar until a frosting consistency and add it on top.
Directions
- Prep: *Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, Fahrenheit, and spray a quick bread (loaf cake pan) with nonstick spray or line it with parchment paper as another option. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the oat flour, quick oats, almond flour (or coconut flour*), flax meal, cinnamon, and baking soda; sift well until completely mixed and combined.
- Add the unsweetened applesauce, maple syrup or honey, Lifeway Kefir, and vanilla extract to the bowl; stir everything together well until completely combined well. Set aside.
- In a food processor or blender, add the berries and pulse until broken down and there are no noticeable seeds, then fold these into the mixing bowl with the other ingredients.
- Once all the ingredients are mixed together well, spoon the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown on top. Keep in mind oven times will vary based on climate, altitude, location, etc. Insert a knife on top; if it comes out clean, it's done. If not, return to the oven for 10 minutes until done.
- Serve warm with more puréed mixed berries blended with applesauce, then drizzle on top if desired.
