Mama’s Persimmon Bread

Serina Elliott is a graduate of the Kitchen of Champions Culinary Training Program of St. Vincent de Paul. She was previously featured in a video on OaklandNorth.net about the culinary program’s Guest Chef Series and has gone on to complete her first year of culinary classes at Laney College. In another year she will be a college graduate!

Mama’s Persimmon Bread

Recipe creates two 9-inch loaves.

• 3½ cups sifted flour
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 to 2½ cups sugar (Using more sugar will produce a moister and sweeter bread.)
• 1 cup melted unsalted butter (at room temperature)
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
• 2/3 cup whiskey (any dark liquor will do)
• 2 cups persimmon puree (from about 4 squishy-soft Hachiya persimmons)
• 2 cups walnuts or pecans, toasted and chopped
• 2 cups raisins, or diced dried fruits (such as apricots, cranberries, or dates)

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

   Note: Will keep for about a week, if well-wrapped, at room temperature. Can be frozen.

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