Apricot-Cheese Loaves

Ingredients

• About 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
• 2 cups (1/2 lb.) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup finely chopped dried apricots
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• About 1/3 cup melted butter or margarine
• 3 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar

Preparation

1. 1. In a large bowl, mix 2 1/2 cups flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add nuts, cheese, and apricots and mix well.
2. 2. In a medium bowl, beat eggs, milk, and 1/3 cup melted butter to blend. Add mixture to dry ingredients and stir to moisten evenly.
3. 3. Butter and flour two 4 1/2- by 8 1/2-inch loaf pans; scrape batter equally into pans. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, 1 tablespoon melted butter, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over batter in pans.
4. 4. Bake in a 350° oven until bread is well browned, springs back when lightly pressed in the center, and begins to pull from pan sides, 30 to 35 minutes.
5. 5. Let stand in pans on a rack for about 10 minutes. Run a thin-bladed knife between bread and pan sides. Invert loaves onto rack and set upright to cool. Serve warm or cool.
6. Nutritional analysis per ounce.