Vegan Apple Cinnamon Beer Bread

I am loving all the cold weather and rainy nights in my area right now. It lends itself well to some of my favorite activities, like watching horror movies. Last weekend I had a friend over, and my boyfriend, who makes bread all the time, helped me craft a really tasty snack for us to eat while watched. 

Beer bread is something I like making because it's easy and tasty, and I made this version more seasonal with the addition of apples and cinnamon. It's sweet and tastes great ith a cup of hot cider or spiced tea.

Apple Cinnamon Beer Bread-

3 cups whole wheat flour

2 granny smith apples, peeled and chopped

1 cup earth balance

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

12 ounces of beer (stout works well in this recipe)

1/2 cup sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon allspice

3 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons lemon juice

Preheat oven to 375 F. Combine flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup of earth balance (melted), baking soda and beer in a large mixing bowl. Mix dough well and allow to sit. 

Then, in a saucepan, combine apples, lemon juice, the remaining sugar and butter, and spices. Cook on medium heat until the apples are tender. Remove from heat and mash with a potato masher or pulse a few times in the food processor until it has the consistency of chunky applesauce. Place in the fridge for 10 minutes. 

Mix walnuts and apple mixture into the dough. Grease your bread pan using a small amount of earth balance and a paper towel.  Then pour dough into the bread pan and place in the oven for 1 hour. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before cutting.