During the Autumn holidays we went for a drive down to Canberra. We had a little shopping to do, and we also wanted to check out the National Arboretum, which we have driven past several times, but have not actually visited. After a morning spent in a large shopping center, the Arboretum was just what we needed. Space and quiet for the kids to run around after being cooped up shopping.
While the trees are still being established, it was still spectacular to see all the different types arranged over the hills, and imagine what it will look like in a few years. The Arboretum also had an amazing playground which the kids ran wild in for an hour, as well as fantastic views across Canberra, several great sculptures, a bonsai area that fascinated the kids, and at the end of our visit, a cafe that makes all it’s food on site.
After 2 hours or so of exploring, the kids were ravenous so they had milkshakes and home made biscuits from the cafe, and I had a slice of Apple, Cranberry, and Dark Chocolate loaf. Oh my! Delicious, moist, and spicy with bursts of sweet apple and tart cranberries balanced out with the rich dark chocolate chunks. Country Boy and I studied it closely, trying to work out what was in it so that we could have a try at making one ourselves.
Since then I have been researching recipes online, trying to find one that I thought would be like the delicious Arboretum loaf. I couldn’t find one which was close enough, so I have made up my own. It’s also delicious! So if you’re near Canberra, definitely check out the Arboretum and it’s cafe (their Canberra cake is legendary), but if you’re not near by, make this loaf and enjoy it at leisure in your own home. It tastes like Autumn to me!
- ½ c brown sugar
- ¼c sugar
- 1t vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- ½ c apple puree
- 100g melted butter
- ⅓c sour cream
- 1 apple - peeled and grated
- 2 c plain flour
- 2 t baking powder
- 2t cinnamon
- 1t nutmeg
- 1 apple - peeled and finely diced
- ⅓ c dried cranberries - soaked in hot water for 10 minutes and drained
- ⅓ c dark chocolate chunks - roughly chopped
- Preheat the oven to 170*c
- In a bowl stir together the sugars, vanilla, egg, apple puree, melted butter, sour cream, and grated apple.
- Stir in the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Stir in the diced apple, cranberries, and chocolate.
- Pour into a greased and lined loaf tin.
- Bake for 1 hour or until a knife comes out clean when poked into the center.
- Allow to cool before serving.
If you’re planning a visit to the Arboretum there is a great area for flying kites, so bring some if you have them. You do need to pay for parking but it is only a couple of dollars an hour. The views, play area, and cafe make a great family friendly outing.
Have you been to the National Arboretum? Ever tried something in a cafe, and then just had to have a go at making it at home?
That is awesome!! I think I will make some for my boys to take as trail snacks.
oh how delicious does that look. I’d say the sour cream is what makes it so moist. It looks divine.
We are off to Canberra for our annual ski trip. We now stop for a night over in canberra to break up the long drive from sydney for the kids and it’s the best thing we ever did. So much to see and eat in canberra, it’s becoming my favourite thing to look forward to all year.
I’m writing the arboretum down as it sounds like a great place to take the kids and I want this loaf too!
Thanks for linking up to YWF
what a gorgeous recipe! sounds very tasty – I have pinned to my best cake recipe board, would definitely like to make this one
Oh my goodness this look lovely, I’ve never been to Canberra before but think I need to make a special trip just to check out the cakes!
Canberra is one of those towns where there is so much to see and do. It has a very good foodie scene.
Oh yum this looks delish! I have been to Canberra but never to the Arboretum. Sounds like the kind of place my kids would groan at, but then have a great time. Glad the cafe was a hit. Often cafes at attractions tend to be of the greasy spoon variety. This one sounds like a gem!
It’s always a surprise to find a cafe at a tourist attraction that does something other than the usual deep fried, mass produced foods!
Years since I was there and the café was good then. I must get back there. Another one hoping you got some rain. I regularly support Buy a Bale which is from Frontier Services of Victorian Uniting Church. So dry in so many places. Added money the last time for a bus to carry volunteer tradies to work on farms.
A friend is ordained and works for same group in high country of Victorian alps. If there were roads, it would take her three or more days to drive around her parish. She has been heavily involved in previous years in chaplaincy work after disastrous fires. It is dry where she is too.
Oh my, I think I might go off and make this now. I am pretty sure I have all the ingredients already. Sounds delicious.
That is now on the cooking list for the week. Delicious!! I may tweek a few recipes here and there but not invent them. No baking talents in this house Im afraid. The Arboretum sounds like a place I would love to go. Hopefully you guys got some rain on the weekend. It was crazy rain and storms here Sat night.
We had a little rain, and there is now a shimmer of green on the ground. Fingers crossed for more!