She's A Real Peach

I don't know about you but I know when I think of a summer fruit I think peaches in June and Watermelon in July! Growing up my family and I would always go visit my mothers side of the family in Alabama. Driving there we drove through Gaffney, SC where there is a gigantic peach shaped water tower. This juicy fruit is definitely a summer staple! The newest Southern Living is featuring peaches with tons of recipes. I have had the best time flipping through the pages and getting ideas. I finally decided I wanted to make the Spiced Peach-Carrot Bread. The magazine said this recipe won first place in the side-dish category in South Carolina's 2009 Annual Peach-Off contest.

Spiced Peach-Carrot Bread Recipe from Southern Living

Ingredients:

3/4 cup chopped pecans

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 1/2 cups peeled and chopped fresh, ripe peaches

3/4 cup freshly grated carrots

2/3 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup milk

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1. Preheat oven to 350. Bake pecans in a single layer in shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Cool 15 minutes.

2. Stir together flour and next 6 ingredients in a large bowl; add peaches, next 4 ingredients, and toasted pecans, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Spoon batter into a lightly greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.

3. Bake at 350 for 1 hr and 5 mins to 1 hr and 10 mins or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 5 minutes. Remove from pan to wire rack, and cool completely (about 1 hour)

Everything was going good until I got to the remove from pan and place on wire rack part. -FAIL FAIL FAIL. The entire loaf FELL apart.. I wanted to cry. Seriously, tears in eyes! Lesson learned- ignore the 5 minute cool time listed and wait about 20 instead!

I'm now trying to salvage it however I can. It is so disappointing to get to the very end and mess up!! I did taste it however and it is amazing! I recommend trying it, but-- make sure to let it cool so you can avoid it breaking apart! Has this ever happened to yall? Part of the fun isn't even pictured-- I love going to our local farmers market to get fresh fruit and veggies. It's so nice to talk to people and know where your food is being grown. My peaches came from a local produce stand and are oh so yummy!