Apple Molasses Bread

A fragrant, spicy bread.

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 10
• Yields: 1 loaf

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup butter, softened
• 1  cup sugar
• 3  eggs
• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1  cup applesauce
• 1⁄4 cup dark molasses
• 1  cup raisins (optional) or 1  cup craisins (optional)
• 1⁄2 cup  nuts, chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Coat a 9-inch x 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and spices; set aside.
5. Combine applesauce and molasses.
6. Add dry ingredients alternately with applesauce mixture to egg mixture. Fold in raisins and nuts.
7. Pour into loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool 10 minutes, remove from pan and continue cooling on a wire rack.