Pumpkin Sunflower Apple Quick Bread;

Taste the Season
A bushel of fall flavors are packed into this moist loaf: pumpkin, apples, nuts and spices. A half-cup of cider adds unmistakably fruity zing to the bread. Honey walnut cream cheese is the perfect accompaniment spread on the baked bread served with a cup of coffee or tea.   

Recipe adapted from Midwest Living.

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour 
• 1-1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 2- 1/4 tsp.pumpkin pie spice or 1- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp.ground nutmeg, 1/4 tsp. ground ginger and 1/8 tsp.ground cloves
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 tsp.baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup apple cider or apple juice
• 1-15 - ounce can pumpkin (not pie filling)
• 1- 1/2 cups finely chopped, peeled firm, sweet apples (such as Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Pink Lady, Braeburn and/or Cameo)
• 1/2 cup dry-roasted sunflower seeds or chopped walnuts

Directions

• Grease the bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of two loaf pans. Line bottoms with parchment paper; grease parchment and set aside. In a large bowl, combine whole wheat and all-purpose flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; set aside.
• In an extra-large mixing bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar and oil. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until well mixed. Add eggs; beat well. Alternately add flour mixture and cider to sugar mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined. 
• Beat in pumpkin. Fold in apples and sunflower seeds. Spoon batter into prepared pans; spread evenly.
• Bake in a 350 degrees oven for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near centers comes out clean.
• Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans; remove parchment. Cool completely on wire racks. Wrap in foil and store overnight before slicing.

To keep brown sugar from drying out add a few marshmallows to bag and seal. 

To prevent an apple from browning after being cut;use a rubber band to hold apple pices together.