Apple Cinnamon Loaf

With apple season in full swing, I like to take advantage of the variety of different ways in which to use the famous fruit. From applesauce to apple crisp and even using it to make an apple spice beer, I’ve done pretty much everything you can possibly think of. So when I saw a version of this recipe online, I had to try it. What’s nice about the recipe is you can make one loaf for home and give the other to a friend or neighbor (or just keep them both to yourself). The recipe is also easily halved in case you don’t want to make two. I just figure if I’m turning on the oven, I may as well make two loaves. Anyway, this loaf, fresh out of the oven, is extremely moist and fluffy. And the flavor of the apples and cinnamon is absolutely delicious. It’s so good, I decided to enter it in an apple recipe contest our local TD Bank was holding. So, if you have a couple leftover apples from making pies this holiday season, give this a try ... you won’t be disappointed.

Cinnamon Sugar Mixture:

2/3 cup brown sugar (not packed)

2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 tsp. sugar

Batter:

1-1/3 cup white sugar

1 cup butter, softened

4 eggs

3 tsp. vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

2-1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 cup milk

2 apples, peeled, cored and chopped

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans. Mix cinnamon sugar ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside. In a large bowl, beat white sugar and butter together using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until incorporated. Stir in vanilla extract. In a third bowl, combine flour and baking powder; stir into creamed butter mixture a little at a time. Add milk to batter and stir until smooth. Pour a quarter of the batter into each of the prepared loaf pans. Add a quarter of the apples and a quarter of the cinnamon sugar mixture to each loaf pan. Lightly pat apple mixture into batter. Pour half the remaining batter over the apple layer in each pan; top with remaining apples and add remaining cinnamon sugar mixture. Again, lightly pat apples into batter; swirl cinnamon sugar mixture through apples using a finger or spoon. Bake for 35 to 45 minute or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaves comes out clean.