Our lives are in a bit of an upheaval and today is the first official day of breaking down our apartment in Hamburg. Excitement, sadness, sentiment, frustration all fight for their moment in the spotlight. Transitions for me are certainly opportunities for growth and all that… but they also like to chew into my creative space. I am longing to keep a little normalcy by cooking and posting. Sometimes I wonder why can’t I just be a regular gal and settle into a nice house, where we go to work, the kids go to school and we all live in the same house, city, country. yadah yadah….But I just haven’t been that kinda gal. We’ve had many adventures that ultimately I am so grateful to have experienced and now the feeling of NEVER moving again rings like a metal gong vibrating throughout my cranium. But because I love and accept myself now, finally… in my 40’s, I suggest to me and you never ever say never or ever.
Enough. Almost. One more side note…. Now Conor Bofin may think this has nothing to do with Apfelbrot but maybe that’s cause he’s not a chick who likes to blubber his feelings out to the world. He is doing some fantastic food though and although he really has nothing to do with this post, I’m happy to link you to One Man’s Meat for great photos and recipes sans blubber. I love his site. Am feeling a little edgy today. Wonder if I’ll post this… now I’m talking to myself. shit. Let’s get on with it…
This recipe will want to be made in the fall with all those apples your getting locally but it will also want to be made during the holidays in cute little disposable loaf papers to be tied up with some lovely string and passed on to your family and friends…which is what I will be doing. I did, this time make it in a round tin.
Start with loads of fresh apples.
Peel if you must but this is a hearty bread and your guts will embrace the extra fiber. You are going to mix them up with sugar, spices, a little rum and vanilla and let it ruminate… (I’ve been reading to many goat books). I think the term is macerate (theoretically, macerating is used when soaking food in a liquid but is also used when drawing liquids out with sugar… please somebody correct me if I’m wrong).
Some recipes call for letting the apples sit over night but I think 4-6 hours will do fine.
About 5-6 medium apples
The rest is simple. Slice dried figs…
Add dried cranberries and whole hazelnuts and dredge in flour, baking powder and a little cocoa powder..
Then you might look at it and realize a little late in the game (like me)… where the hell is the binder? I looked over the recipes again. No eggs, butter or oil. Then I checked out my apples. Ah ha grasshopper…
There was an extraordinary amount of flour that combined with this juiciness to form a batter.
It looked lovely as a whole round but logistically not so good. We loved eating it toasted with butter. I would definitely do it in small loaf tins for yourself and gifts. Slice thin, toast and butter. This is a “fruit cake” you will not turn your nose up to.
Now I must go pack….
Tschüß my dears,
x wendy
Wendy's Place 
This looks awesome! Always am looking for a great vegan recipe.
Hope your move goes smoothly. Have I missed where you are going???
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Heading back to Orcas Island… not too shabby either. 🙂
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Permanently? Or as permanent as you can comment on at this time? : )
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Let’s go with the latter…
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Thanks for the kind words. Particularly in a Vegan post. Not where I expect to find myself too often.
Best,
Conor
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Spot on! I didn’t even catch that beautiful irony.
Best to you too Conor. Cheers… w
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This looks awesome. I’ve already printed the recipe so I can try it out over the holidays. Best of luck on your move. I’ve never been to Orcas Island but I’ve been to some of the other islands up there and it’s a gorgeous area.
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You would have some fun with your camera on Orcas. Winter is also a quiet, beautiful time to be there. Especially with a dust of snow.
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Apples looked so fresh like you just picked from your yard instead. Good luck on your move!…just think of it this way, new home, new kitchen… 🙂
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I’m hoping we’ll still have a few left on the trees when I get back to the island. We’ve had our house in the states set up as a vacation rental and look forward to turning it into a home again… which happens to have a 6 burner stove 😉
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Your own apple trees and 6 burner stove. Niiice! 🙂
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I like your idea of individual little Apfelbrote to give away for the holidays! I already own miniature paper bread moulds so thanks for that idea.
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I bet you do. I loved your little cupcake liners… those were such great photos.
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So you are leaving Hamburg, I bet that are going to be a deep and sadly goodbye – but with Seattle next door, you will be fine – even if you’re going a bit alone in this transit and changes.
Mr O will he be living out on the country side ???? .. witch you showed us the other day in your beautiful blog.
You and I have the some kind of blood in our veins … the travelers – where ever we go we will create a home and feel like home. Done it so many times, but now I have come to the finale stop … just feel that I want to grow deep roots where I’m and it will take some forces to get those roots up.
With yours 20 years less on me .. you still have time to get to where I’m and you will probably have more new starts.
This I will make a go of. Really like everything and the idea about doing individual is brilliant. Will let you know who I’m getting on.
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Thank you… yes… the travelers. It’s a beautiful life and sometimes a little weary. I’m grateful and I’m ready to stay put for a while in the next chapter. Mr O is a little back and forth till Feb then I’m thrilled to say on Orcas most of next year… then we will re-convene at the round table 🙂
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Glad for you both that next year it will be more of you two.
Your are at a lovely spot out on Orsac – and you place are so wonderful and relaxing, an Eden in away. I’m sure there will be a lot more chapters and adventures to come for you two.
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That’s it! Whenever we feel overwhelmed with outer circumstances, we realize how lucky we are to move through it all with a lot of love, laughter and ingenuity. Life is good.
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Wendy, I love reading that you both .. feel comfortable and loved in your distance. You’re lucky in love.
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Beautiful post Wendy! I could steal those dried figs right away. Sehr sehr gut! Hey, good luck with your move… sometimes change is good – it roughs you up a bit from your own comfort zone:) My blog’s turn one… great to have found a few blogging friend along the way!
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Happy blogging birthday… I’m coming up on a year too but don’t know if I can muster up the courage for a give-away. I’m taking notes though!
Yes we are feeling a bit rough around the edges with piles of our belongings stacked around begging not to be left behind. The nice part though is a proper clean out. We should all pretend to move every three years just for that.
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This looks and sounds so good! Will try this for Thanksgiving I think. Hope your move goes well, and this next adventure brings happiness.
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This would be the perfect healthy option. But me…. i’m going for the drooling caramel pumpkin bread pudding. I’ve decided to eat 800 calories a day till Thanksgiving in preparation…. (I’m so joking)!
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I’m always on the look out for a tried and true vegan recipe! I love to move too! But have settled in until the kids leave us:D
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My kids might have preferred that too. But they do have some experiences hopefully they will remember and prosper from…. and will appreciate. Someday.
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I almost bit my screen!
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🙂
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I wish I had more time to cook. I wish I knew someone who could cook like you!
This looks sooooo yummy!
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Either would work.
You could make this though. It’s easy and you could freeze it in cute little packages. Pull it out for tea with your guests. Like you have time.
How about that niece of yours?
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Unfortunately, I’m only with her sometimes. We live in different cities.
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This looks so delicious and so festive as well! Love your post Wendy! I can so identify with all the moving and changes, although my moving was within the US, not international. 13 moves in 26 years just about did me in. We’ve now lived here 10 years with no moves. Just lots of remodeling and constant renovations.
How wonderful to have experienced so many different places, cultures and food! Lots of inspiration for future blog posts I’m sure. Take care and wishing you happy trails… all the way back to Orcas?
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Thanks Karista… There are pluses and minuses to everything. We have some pretty amazing experiences to look back on for sure.
I also think about how easy in some ways moving has become with the internet. Maybe too easy in fact. Finding places to live, setting up house, moving companies…etc. Well it’s still a pain actually!
I’ve loved Hamburg though and we will for sure be here again even if it is just as visitors. x
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Delicious & we’re apple picking next week! Safe travels & move!
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Hey thanks Cindy… sorry for the delayed reply. I’ve been a little out of it. Looking forward to some routine that includes keeping up with my cyber life!
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Beautiful, moist apfelbrot and vegan to boost, wow! I know that in looking at this healthy and tasty bread/slice that it’s as hearty and wholesome as you describe! Gorgeous photos and stunning ingredients make me want to reach in to my page and grab a slice ala wonkavision!
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Thanks😉
I’m sure that was the original wonkavision! It did give me hope in the idea of fruit cake and was quite wholesome… Despite slathered in butter.
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I was so sad to leave Germany after 10 years but lucky enough to keep our home there. Even though I have only been back once, it provides me with some type of “haven’t really moved” security, Good luck with your move and thanks for this gorgeous recipe.
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You are welcome.
There are a lot of things I love about Germany and I look forward to exploring more of the country. We got in a cycle of using our holidays mostly for going back to visit family in the states. The irony. We will see how things evolve over the next few years. But I’m sure we will be back regularly.
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Your photos – your absolutely exquisite photos – make me want to dive into some fall baking head first…
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I will say I love this season… It holds its own quite well. It’s a good warm up to the holidays. I’m breaking out my gingerbread family next week!
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Even before I got to your almost last line, I was thinking this looked like a good substitute for fruitcake. Love your apple photos!
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I’m so glad you checked out this post. Did you notice? No oil or butter… Except exactly what I would suggest as a condiment is butter 😄
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Your apfelbrot looks wonderful and your photographs look particularly beautiful. Hope the move, whether permanent or short term, is without too much heartache and rumination and everything is fairly straight forward.
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Thanks so much. I am back on the island now… step at a time right?
You know, I like these photos too. Every now and again you post something and go hey that looks pretty good. And it’s so nice to get such positive feedback. cheers 🙂
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Take care Wendy! All the best for the next stop – what a lovely homely and cosy backdrop to pack to. This looks absolutely delicious! Great for the season too. Lovely xx
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Will do. Hope your shoulder gets better quick.
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I hope the move is going smoothly 🙂
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Hi Shelly- nice to see you. I’m heading your way soon. Always step by step…x
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Oh that looks absolutely phenomenal! I love breads with more fruit than dough… 🙂
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Hi Jeanne…. Well then give this one a try. It was maximal fruit and nut!
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Look super yummy! And I love the “I suggest to me and you never ever say never or ever.”
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Thanks Simone!
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It is always sad and happy when making a move…I know you will be happy to be a little more settled though. Your apfelbrot looks delicious and would indeed make lovely gifts.
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Exactly.
And settled will be nice.
xx
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Okay, I just learned about Conor Bofin from Jeanne of all people and now I imagine I’ll be seeing him all over the place, right? We just moved not even across the city and it was a stressful mess so I don’t know how you will do it. Moving is sad but great fun and very exciting and I know this will not be our last move. But I do wish we were nomads like you. And this cake is fabulous and just screams autumn!
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Hi Jamie – I’m imagining what it feels like when you already know this won’t be your last move.
We could call you a local nomad 🙂
It is sad and exciting and energy consuming. I look forward to the down time.
x…w
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beautiful pictures, fabulous recipe and wonderful sentiment.. heres to travel!! can’t live without the promise of it! c
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Thank you Celi. This would be another conversation I’d like to have. How you manage your animals and travel.
How long are you away?
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