Best 5 James Beards Amazing Persimmon Bread Recipes

PERSIMMON-GINGER BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan. Line with enough parchment so there is a 2-inch overhang on the 2 long sides of the pan (this will help you lift the bread out of the pan).
• Sift the flour and baking soda into a medium bowl.
• Melt 1 stick of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until brown, nutty and fragrant, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a large heat-proof bowl, cool for 5 minutes. Add the dark brown sugar, sour cream, vanilla, vinegar, ginger, orange zest, nutmeg, eggs, 1 cup of the persimmon puree and 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and whisk until completely combined.
• Fold the flour mixture into the butter mixture. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake until the bread is deep golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes. Cool the bread in the pan for 15 minutes. Use the parchment to help lift the bread out and cool completely on a rack.
• Meanwhile, process the granulated sugar, remaining 1 1/2 sticks butter, 1/2 cup persimmon puree and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a food processor until light and creamy.
• Serve slices of bread warm and slather with persimmon butter.

PERSIMMON BREAD

Steps:

• Butter 2 loaf pans. Line the bottoms with a piece of parchment paper or dust with flour and tap out any excess.
• Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC) degrees.
• Sift the first 5 dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
• Make a well in the center then stir in the butter, eggs, liquor, persimmon puree then the nuts and raisins.
• Bake 1 hour or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

PERSIMMON CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE ICING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Coat a 10-cup (2.5-liter) Bundt cake or tube pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
• To make the cake, in a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the currants and brandy or whiskey to a boil. Remove from the heat, cover, and let cool.
• Into a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Stir in the granulated sugar. In a medium bowl, mix together the 3/4 cup (6 ounces/170 g) melted butter, persimmon purée, eggs, and 2 teaspoons vanilla.
• Make a well in the center of the flour mixture, add the persimmon mixture, and gently stir. Fold in the currants, along with any unabsorbed liquid, and the nuts. Mix just until everything is moistened; don't overmix.
• Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Once cool, invert the cake onto a serving plate.
• To make the icing, in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the cream cheese and 1 tablespoon butter on high speed until smooth. Beat in the 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and the lemon juice, then gradually add the powdered sugar, beating on high speed until smooth. Add the 4 teaspoons water; the icing should be pourable. If necessary, add 1 more teaspoon water.
• Spoon the icing around the top of the cake, then tap the plate on a folded kitchen towel on the countertop to encourage the icing to run down the sides of the cake.
• Storage:
• This cake will keep for 4 days at room temperature.
• Variations:
• If you don't have persimmons, or if they're not in season, you can substitute unsweetened applesauce or banana purée for the persimmon purée.

PERSIMMON BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a 9x5x3" loaf pan. Tap out excess flour.
• Combine raisins and 2 tablespoons hot water in a small heatproof bowl. Let steep for 20 minutes to plump raisins (or microwave for 15 seconds).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
• Scoop persimmon flesh from skins into a blender. Purée until smooth. Transfer 1 cup purée to a medium bowl (reserve any remaining purée for another use). Whisk in buttermilk and orange zest. Set aside.
• Using an electric mixer, beat 1/2 cup butter in a medium bowl until light and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes longer. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until mixture is well combined. Gradually add persimmon mixture; beat until well combined. Add dry ingredients in 3 batches, beating just until incorporated. Fold in strained raisins.
• Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake until a tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour.
• Let bread cool in pan for 20 minutes. Unmold and let cool completely on a wire rack.

JAMES BEARD'S BASIC HOME-STYLE BREAD

Steps:

• Add the yeast to 1/2 cup of the warm milk, along with 2 tbl sugar, and stir well until the yeast in completely dissolved. Allow the yeast to proof.
• Place the remaining milk, butter and salt in a bowl. (Beard liked a lot of salt, and I would use less). Stir in the flour, 1 cup at a time, with a wooden spoon.
• After the third cup, add the yeast mixture. Continue stirring in flour until the mixture is rather firm, which should take about 4 to 5 cups.
• Remove the dough to a floured board and knead, adding more flour as necessary, until it is supple, satiny and no longer sticky.
• Butter a bowl and place the dough in it, turning to coat all sides with the fat. Cover and allow to rise in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Deflate the dough by punching firmly two or three times, return to the floured board, and knead 4 to 5 minutes more.
• Divide into two equal parts and shape into loaves. Place in well-buttered 9x5x3 in loaf tins, cover, and let rise again until doubled in bulk.
• Slash the loaves with a sharp knife and brush with lightly beaten egg white or water.
• Bake in a 400 deg. oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until the bread sounds hollow when tapped with the knuckles.
• Remove the loaves from the pans and put them back in the oven a few minutes longer to become crisped.