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| Awesome Applesauce Loaf |
The marvelous smell of cinnamon baking in the oven is like no other. It's spicy-sweet aroma wafts through your kitchen and through the rest of your house causing family members to come and ask "Whatcha makin'?" Makes me smile just thinking about it. This particular recipe smells so fantastic and taste so good that the end result lasts less than two days in my house. If I make it in the afternoon, it's eaten after dinner, the next morning for breakfast, and then as an afternoon snack. My daughter is this treat's biggest fan, so I decided to turn it into a master mix, making things easier on the cook who has to make it so often! Below you will find the original recipe for Applesauce Loaf, the master mix I created for those of us who appreciate such time savers, and an added bonus recipe for Cinnamon Butter that those with a sweet tooth will adore (the slice pictured here is smothered in Cinnamon Butter). Applesauce Loaf 1/2 cup shortening 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 3/4 cups flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1 cup applesauce 1/2 cup nuts (optional, chopped pecans work great) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour (not cooking spray) a loaf pan. In a large bowl with spoon, cream together the shortening and sugar. Add the eggs and mix well. Sift together dry ingredients and gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir until well mixed and add applesauce and nuts. Bake 50-60 minutes, top will crest and loaf will be dark golden brown. Variation: To make a tasty "flat cake", reduce the amount of flour to 3/4 and make as directed. Delicious and moist, just flat! Amanda's Applesauce Loaf Master Mix 2 cups shortening 4 cups sugar 7 cups flour 4 teaspoon salt 4 teaspoon baking powder 2 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 teaspoon nutmeg In a very large bowl combine all dry ingredients and mix together well with a fork or whisk. Cut in shortening with a pastry blender, or use two butter knives, scissor style. A wire whisk also works well and is easier on the arm muscles than knives are. When shortening is completely cut in, mixture will have a crumbly texture. Be sure to turn the mixture so that entire batch is mixed completely. Store in a tightly covered container for up to 4 months. Makes enough for 4 loaves, approximately 13 1/2 cups. Feel free to double this recipe if your family enjoys it as much as mine, but you will need two large mixing bowls. To Prepare Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour (not cooking spray) a loaf pan. In a large bowl with spoon, mix together 3 1/3 cups of master mix with 2 eggs and 1 cup applesauce. Mix together thoroughly. Add 1/2 cup nuts if desired and mix thoroughly. Pour into loaf pan and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until top crests and loaf is a dark golden brown. For muffins: Grease and flour muffin tins, or line with paper muffin cups. Fill tins 3/4 full and bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes or until light golden brown.
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About the Author: Amanda Formaro is the entrepreneurial mother of four children. She is also the owner of FamilyCorner.com Magazine at http://familycorner.com from which she operates several free newsletters, including her favorite Comforts of Home.. To subscribe, visit http://www.familycorner.com/services/lists.shtml . |
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Happy Halloween
