Apricot Tea Bread

• dried apricot↗3⁄4 cup
• boiling water (enough to cover apricots for soaking)
• all-purpose flour↗2 cups
• baking powder↗3 teaspoons
• baking soda↗1 teaspoon
• salt↗1 teaspoon
• egg↗1
• sugar↗1 cup
• canola oil (or melted butter, for richer flavor)3 tablespoons
• orange juice↗1⁄2 cup
• pecans, chopped↗1 cup

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Place apricots in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Soak for 1/2 hour.

2. 2

   Preheat oven to 350°F Coat a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.

3. 3

   Drain apricots, reserving 1/4 cup of the soaking water.

4. 4

   Finely chop apricots. Set aside.

5. 5

   Sift together dry ingredients. Set aside.

6. 6

   Cream together the egg, sugar and oil.

7. 7

   Add flour mixture to egg mixture alternately with orange juice and reserved soaking water. Stir in apricots and pecans.

8. 8

   Spread batter in loaf pan and bake 1-1 1/4 hours, or until wooden pick inserted into center of bread comes out clean.

9. 9

   Turn out onto wire rack and cool.