Handwritten recipe card for Streusel Loaf
by: salvagedrecipes

Streusel Loaf

Streusel Loaf
This Streusel Loaf is a tender, moist quick bread enriched with sour cream, butter, and eggs, with subtle notes of vanilla and lemon peel. The bread is studded with chopped dried apricots, layered with a sweet cinnamon streusel of brown sugar, butter, and raisins, and baked until golden and fragrant. Popular in American kitchens of the mid-20th century, streusel loaves and cakes were beloved for their versatility, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon coffee break. This recipe balances tangy dairy richness with the comforting warmth of cinnamon, creating a rustic and homey baked good that feels both indulgent and satisfying.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Brunch
Cuisine German
Servings 10
Calories 310 kcal

Ingredients
  

Streusel Mix:

  • 2 tbsp softened butter
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup raisins

Loaf Batter:

  • 1 cup dairy sour cream
  • 3 tbsp melted butter
  • 2 eggs (beaten)
  • 1½ tsp lemon peel (grated )
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ cup dried apricots (chopped )

Instructions
 

Step 1: Make Streusel Topping

  • Mix softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and raisins together in a small bowl. Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare Wet Mixture

  • In a large bowl, combine sour cream, melted butter, eggs, lemon peel, and vanilla.

Step 3: Prepare Dry Mixture

  • In another bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and apricots.

Step 4: Combine

  • Gently fold the dry mixture into the sour cream mixture until just blended.

Step 5: Assemble Loaf

  • Spoon ⅓ of the batter into a greased loaf pan. Top with ½ of the streusel mixture. Repeat layers, finishing with the remaining batter on top.

Step 6: Bake

  • Bake at 325°F (165°C) for 55–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 7: Cool

  • Let stand for 10 minutes, then turn out from the pan and cool completely.

Tips

  • Substitute dried apricots with chopped dried cranberries, cherries, or dates.
  • Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the streusel for extra crunch.
  • For a lighter version, swap sour cream with Greek yogurt.
  • Dust the cooled loaf with powdered sugar for a bakery-style finish.
  • Double the recipe and freeze one loaf for later, wrap tightly in plastic and foil.

Nutrition

Calories: 310kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 4gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 210mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 2gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 310IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 1.2mg
Keyword apricot bread, cinnamon loaf, coffee cake, comfort food, quick bread, streusel, vintage baking
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