This snack-time staple has applesauce for moisture, and diced apples because, well, they taste great. Note the trick of sprinkling sugar over the top to give the crust a crunchy finish. For a sweet dessert, serve slices warm with vanilla ice cream and butterscotch sauce. Makes 10 servings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup smooth unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon for sprinkling
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup peeled, cored, and finely diced apple
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Line a 9- by 5-inch loaf pan with waxed or parchment paper (or grease and flour it), then set it aside. Heat the oven to 350ยบ.
- Combine the applesauce, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, oil, yogurt, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Whisk well to blend.
- In another large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Make a well in the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon and pour in the applesauce mixture. Stir just enough to combine; do not overmix. Fold in the apples and walnuts.
- Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spoon. Evenly sprinkle one tablespoon of sugar over the top. Bake on the center oven rack until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean, about 50 to 55 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the oven and put it on a cooling rack for about 15 minutes, then remove the loaf from the pan and place it on the rack to finish cooling. Makes 10 servings.
