Cinnamon Applesauce Loaf

September 9, 2014 / No Comments

As soon as September comes we start to anticipate the cooler days of fall along with the many fall recipes we love. The crockpots come out of the cupboard, and we begin to crave soups, stews, and chili, heavier dishes that warm us from the inside out. With the appearance of pumpkins, pears and apples at our local markets, the aromas in the kitchen begin are of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. We are just beginning to see fall apples arriving in our stores although our local apples are still a few weeks from being ready to harvest. The apples now available here in Umbria come from the mountainous region of northern Italy, Alto Adige, and are great for both eating and baking. I couldn’t help myself from buying a big bag of apples recently and I made some of my favorite Roasted Applesauce with them. Along with enjoying a scoop of the applesauce on my morning hot cereal, I decided to bake this tasty cinnamon applesauce loaf.

I adapted this recipe to make it a little healthier by using olive oil, and whole wheat pastry flour. It is a very moist loaf that is delicious enjoyed with a little honey butter or a spread of whipped cream cheese although I love it simply sliced on its own. This bread freezes well, so I’d advise doubling the recipe because everyone in the family will love this bread and it will go quickly.

Why Healthy

Apples are are a good food source of vitamin C which is important for supporting a healthy immune system, forming collagen and enhancing iron absorption and rich in healthy carbohydrates needed for energy.
Heart healthy olive oil is the fat of choice in this bread.
Walnuts are a good source of protein and are rich in phytosterols which help to lower cholesterol. Also rich in fiber and vitamin E.
Whole grains are a good source of fiber as well as calcium, iron, phosphorus and other minerals, and contains several vitamins, including folate and riboflavin.

Cinnamon Applesauce Loaf

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 55 mins

Ingredients:

2 Large Eggs
1 Cup Roasted Applesauce (Or Applesauce of Choice)
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Plain Yogurt
2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
1 3/4 Cups Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
3/4 Cup Chopped Walnuts

Adapted from Averie Cooks Cinnamon Spice Applesauce Bread

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and lightly grease an 8 x 4 inch loaf pan.
In one bowl, whisk together the eggs, applesauce, brown sugar, oil, yogurt and vanilla until well blended.
In another bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda and powder, salt, and cinnamon.
Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture, and stir with a wooden spoon just until blended. (Do not over mix!)
Carefully stir in the walnuts, then pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake the loaf until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out cleanly, about 55 to 60 minutes.
Cool the loaf in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.