Raisin-Cinnamon Apple Bread

Raisin-Cinnamon Apple Bread

Make this moist, spicy bread one day ahead, then serve it with tea, coffee, or cocoa the next afternoon. Substitute 1/2 cup dried cherries, currants or cranberries for the raisins for a deliciously different taste.

INGREDIENTS: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup applesauce 2 beaten eggs 1/2 cup cooking oil 1/4 cup milk 1 cup raisins or 1/2 cup chopped dried cherries or dried cranberries

DIRECTIONS:

Grease a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan; set aside. In a large mixing bowl stir together flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a medium mixing bowl combine applesauce, eggs, oil, and milk. Add egg mixture to flour mixture; stir just till combined. Stir in raisins, cherries, or cranberries.

Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven for 60 to 65 minutes, or till a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan; cool thoroughly on a rack. Wrap and store overnight before slicing.