Cooking with Kelly: Spiced Applesauce Loaf Recipe

It's getting a bit cooler here at night and I even wore a long-sleeve shirt today. Fall is my favorite season - what's not to love about boots, hot chocolate, chic mid-weight coats and crisp weather? Plus, I'm a big fan of both apples and pumpkin, which inspire me to head back into the kitchen and whip up new creations.

I had a bit of leftover applesauce to use up, and I wanted to make something with a crunchy topping and a bit of spicy kick. This sweet bread turned out super moist and the pecans add a great texture to the final product.  As this bread baked in the oven, my house started to smell decidedly like autumn from all the cinnamon and nutmeg.

Spiced Applesauce Loaf Recipe
1 1/4 cups applesauce
1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
3 tablespoons milk
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Topping

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup chopped pecans

1/2 Tablespoon flour

Whisk together the applesauce, sugars, vegetable oil, eggs and milk until smooth. Using a sieve, sift the remaining dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, then fold the pecans into the mixture.

Pour the mixture into a greased loaf pan.  Mix together the topping ingredients and sprinkle over the batter evenly, then place in a 350-degree preheated oven. Bake for one hour or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Consume within 24 hours to preserve a crunchy topping.