Applesauce Nut Bread

• Ready In: 1 hr 35 mins
• Serves: 1
• Yields: 1 loaf

Ingredients

• 6  tablespoons butter, at room temperature
• 1  cup sugar
• 2  large eggs
• 1 1⁄2 cups unsweetened applesauce
• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  freshly ground nutmeg
• 1⁄2 cup pecans or 1⁄2 cup walnuts, chopped and toasted
•  coarse sugar, for topping

Directions

1. No need to preheat the oven, just lightly grease an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch baking pan (not a 9x5).
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by the applesauce.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and spices. By hand, or with a mixer on low speed, beat flour mixture into applesauce mixture. Stir in toasted nuts and pour into prepared pan. Top with coarse sugar, if desired.
4. Place pan in a cold oven and turn oven on to 350°F.
5. Bake for 80-90 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top of the loaf is browned.
6. Cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.