Apple Cinnamon Quick Bread

It's September and back-to-school is in full force.  This time of year brings to mind apples.  What goes better with apples...well, pie of course.  But since I have no where special to go, a pie is out of the question.  Instead, an apple-cinnamon loaf is going to have to do the trick.  I'm putting it out there, apples and cinnamon is the best smell ever!  If it came in a perfume, I would generously spray myself with it.  Ya, I know...that seems ridiculous, but hey, we all have our quirks.

Apple-Cinnamon Bread

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 eggs
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup apple, shredded and squeezed dry
1/2 cup chopped pecans

cinnamon + sugar for sprinkling

Method:
Preheat oven to 350.  Lightly butter 9-by-5 inch loaf pan.

Mix first six ingredients in large bowl.  Add in pecans.  In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, applesauce, yogurt and vanilla.  Add in shredded apples, mix to combine. Fold into the dry mixture until just combined. 

Spread batter into prepared pan.  Top with cinnamon sugar mixture (I used Watkins 'cinna sprinkles').  Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 55-60 minutes.  Cool 30 minutes in pan on a rack, then turn out onto rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!

Note: This is the same 'quick bread' base that can be found in my carrot and lemon loaves.  xo.