Blueberry Pie Bread

MDS and I used to get delicious pie breads at a local farmer's market. The pie breads came in many varieties: apple, peach, and cherry. I enjoy all the different flavors, but blueberry pie bread is my favorite. Pie bread turns a basic bread into a sweet treat by dispersing pie filling within the loaf of bread. This bread is terrific fresh out of the oven or warmed in the microwave. And this bread makes excellent french toast.

Pie breads are easy to make at home. I used my Mom's french bread recipe. I also think a brioche bread recipe would be delicious. You can use any type of pie filling. It is easy to make your own pie filling, or, just use canned pie filling. The bread is topped with a streusel that adds a nice touch. Sometimes, the pie filling collects in one place within the bread making it slightly messy to eat. The bread could be assembled by covering small chunks of dough in the pie filling and dropping them into the pan. I found that it is easiest to spread the filling before rolling up the loaf and then twisting the resulting loaf to spread the pie filling around.

Blueberry Pie Bread 

• 2 1/2 to 3 cups flour
• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 tp. salt
• 1 1/2 tsp. yeast
• 1 Tbsp. butter
• 1 cup water 
• 1 cup blueberry pie filling
• 1/8 cup brown sugar
• 1/8 cup flour
• 1 Tbsp. butter, softened
• Dash of vanilla

In large bowl, mix 3/4 cups flour, sugar, salt and yeast. Heat water to 120 degrees and add the butter to the water. Add the water and butter to the flour mixture. Mix well with a fork. At this point the dough should be fairly liquid. Once the mixture is smooth, add in more flour (usually 1 to 1 1/2 more cups) until a soft dough is formed. Then, turn the dough onto a floured surface. Knead, incorporating the remaining flour in as you go, for about 8 minutes. The dough should become somewhat elastic. Form the dough into a ball and place in a greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a towel (use a damp towel if the weather is dry) and let the dough rise until it doubles, about 2 hours.

Punch down the dough and turn out onto a floured surface. Let rest about 10 minutes. Roll out the dough so it is about 12 to 15 inches long. Spread the pie filling on the flattened dough. Then, roll the dough to form a loaf. Twist the loaf several time, then fold in half lengthwise. Place in a greased loaf pan. Cover the dough with a towel and let rise again, for about an hour.

Prepare the streusel stopping by blending together the brown sugar, flour, butter, and vanilla. Crumble the topping over the loaf. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Allow to cool. Enjoy!