Mr. Peanut Bread, Almond Style

My Mr.  Peanut Bread is still the most popular post ever on this blog. I have had quite a few questions lately, so I thought I would devote another post to a popular variation. Almonds. Quite a few folk avoid peanuts, and choose to make the bread with almond butter. Yes, it is more expensive, because almonds are more expensive than peanuts. Yes, it is a little calorie rich. Other than those factors, it makes a great bread.

The flavor is much milder than the peanut version, making it suitable for any sandwich. The prep work is just as simple. No specialty flours, no hard to find ingredients. Great texture--so much like wheat bread. If you make your own almond butter, the price is reduced considerably. ( I told you how to make that in the January Diner News) It really is not that hard if you have a sturdy food processor. But of course, if you don't mind the cost of one cup of almond butter, then that is the simplest route to amazing sandwiches.

If you are ready to take the plunge, I have a few tips. Let the bread cool before cutting. For the photo, I needed the daylight, so I sliced it hot and got a few crumbs. You should get either 12 or 16 slices per loaf, depending on your preference. I use my ceramic loaf pan, which measures 8 1/2" by 4 1/2" and makes half sized slices. Therefore, you need 4 slices to make a full sized sandwich. The bread is so filling, though, I have found that half a sandwich is generally plenty, especially if paired with a yummy soup. If you use a larger loaf pan, you get shorter slices which make more like finger sandwiches.

I haven't tried the variations with the all almond bread, but the peanut version does really well in muffin cups, individual loaf pans and even plopped on a cookie sheet as artisan style bread. This recipe is so forgiving, you can also blend in other nut butters with the peanut or almond. Beware the sunflower butter. Chemical reactions can cause the bread to turn green. Who knows, I might try that out for St. Patrick's day.

Here is the variation recipe:

Almond Butter Bread

1 cup almond butter
3 eggs
1 Tablespoon vinegar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 packet stevia (optional)

Blend almond butter and eggs until smooth. Add in remaining ingredients. Pour into a sprayed 8 1/2" by 4 1/2" loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Let cool before slicing. Can also be baked in muffin tins for slider buns.
 
This is the sandwich I made today. A yummy lemon pepper tuna salad. Mmm.