JAMES BEARD'S AMAZING PERSIMMON BREAD

JAMES BEARD'S AMAZING PERSIMMON BREAD image

Yield 2 9 inch loaves

Number Of Ingredients 11

3½ cups sifted flour
1½ teaspoons salt
2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 to 2½ cups sugar
1 cup melted unsalted butter and cooled to room temperature
4 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
2/3 cup Cognac, bourbon or whiskey
2 cups persimmon puree (from about 4 squishy-soft Hachiya persimmons)
2 cups walnuts or pecans, toasted and chopped
2 cups raisins, or diced dried fruits (such as apricots, cranberries, or dates)

Steps:

1. Butter 2 loaf pans. Line the bottoms with a piece of parchment paper or dust with flour and tap out any excess. 2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 3. Sift the first 5 dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. 4. Make a well in the center then stir in the butter, eggs, liquor, persimmon puree then the nuts and raisins. 5. Bake 1 hour or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Storage: Will keep for about a week, if well-wrapped, at room temperature. The Persimmon Breads take well to being frozen, too.