Apple Buttermilk Loaves

• flour↗3 cups
• baking powder↗1 teaspoon
• baking soda↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• salt↗1⁄4 teaspoon
• butter or 1 cup margarine↗1 cup
• white sugar↗1 cup
• packed brown sugar1 cup
• eggs↗3
• vanilla↗1 teaspoon
• buttermilk↗3⁄4 cup
• apples, pared, cored and finely chopped Rome Beautys↗1 1⁄2 cups
• nuts1⁄2 cup
• grated orange peel↗1 teaspoon

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Combine flour, baking powder, soda and salt, set aside.

2. 2

   Cream butter and sugars; beat in eggs one at a time and vanilla.

3. 3

   Stir in buttermilk alternately with flour mixture.

4. 4

   Fold in apples, nuts and orange peel.

5. 5

   Pour into two 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 5/8 - inch greased and floured loaf pans. Bake at 350 F- 50 to 60 minutes or until wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean.

6. 6

   Cool in pan 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack. Wrap and let stand overnight to allow flavors to blend.

7. 7

   Makes two loaves.