Peach-Nut Holiday Bread

Bake in convenient foil loaf pans for gift-giving.

Yield: 4 small loaves, 4 servings each, or 1 large loaf, 16 servings

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 (16 ounce) can peach slices (syrup pack)
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoons peach preserves (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease four 5 1/2 x 3 x 2-inch loaf pans or one 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan, set aside.
2. In a large bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt, set aside.
3. Drain peaches, reserving 1/4 cup syrup.
4. In blender container or food processor bowl combine reserved peach syrup, eggs, butter and lemon juice. Cover; blend or process until smooth.
5. Add peaches. Cover; blend or process just until peaches are chopped.
6. Pour peach mixture over flour mixture; stir just until moistened.
7. Fold in walnuts.
8. Turn into prepared pan(s). Sprinkle with nuts.
9. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes for small loaves or 55 to 60 minutes for large loaf or until a wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean.
10. Cool in pan 10 minutes; remove from pan.
11. Cool on wire rack.
12. Spread preserves over loaves not topped with nuts.