Another day, another polar vortex

I get it, this winter of ours is simply not interested in leaving. It has it too good around here.

I haven't been baking much lately. But today, as a blizzard swirled around the kitchen window, I decided I needed to smell the delicious aroma created by the union of apples and cinnamon. Also, having the oven on helps take the chill off the kitchen. That's nice when it is -26 C outside.

This is not an overly sweet tea loaf, but the streusel topping makes for a sweet finish. You can omit it if you like, but it takes a lot away from the olfactory experience.

Serve with a hot cup of tea, and pretend spring is just around the corner -- not cowering in fear under a log while winter rages on forever. 

 Apple Cinnamon Streusel Loaf

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

2/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter or margarine

2 eggs

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

1 3/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup light sour cream

1 apple, peeled and chopped

Topping

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup flour

4 tbsp butter

1/2 tsp cinnamon

4 tbsp rolled oats

1.      Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a loaf pan.

2.      Combine apples, sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside.

3.      Using an electric mixer, beat sugar and butter together until light and creamy.

4.      Add eggs, one at a time. Beating until mixed well. Add vanilla.

5.      In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Stir together. Gradually add to egg mixture, alternating with sour cream in two additions, beginning and ending with flour. Beat for two minutes.

6.      Place half the batter in the pan, covering with half the apple and brown sugar mixture. Top with the rest of the batter and add the remaining apple and brown sugar mixture.

7.      Mix the topping ingredients until they resemble large crumbs. Sprinkle on top of the loaf.

8.      Bake for 1 hour. Cool for 30 minutes in the pan on a wire rack. Turn out of the pan and cool completely.