Applesauce Cherry Loaf – (Kit Hansen’s)

🍞🍒 Sure thing! Let’s talk about the delicious Applesauce Cherry Loaf. 🍞🍒

What is it?
Applesauce Cherry Loaf is a delightful, moist, and flavorful quick bread that combines the natural sweetness of applesauce with the tartness of cherries. It’s a perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, or as a snack.

History:
While I don’t have specific historical information on this exact recipe, quick breads like this one have been a popular part of American home baking for centuries. They gained popularity in the 19th century with the widespread availability of baking powder, which made it easier to create moist and fluffy bread without yeast.

Components:
To make an Applesauce Cherry Loaf, you’ll need the following components:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup dried cherries (or fresh, pitted cherries if preferred)

Steps to Prepare:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a loaf pan.

2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set this dry mixture aside.

3. In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

4. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated.

5. Stir in the applesauce and vanilla extract until well combined.

6. Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.

7. Fold in the dried cherries gently.

8. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.

9. Bake for approximately 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

10. Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Time Needed:

• Preparation: 20-25 minutes
• Baking: 55-65 minutes
• Cooling: Approximately 1 hour

So, in total, you’ll need around 2-2.5 hours from start to finish to prepare this delicious Applesauce Cherry Loaf. Enjoy baking and indulging in this delightful treat! 🍒🍞😊

Certainly! Here are the nutrition facts and some health information for a typical serving of Applesauce Cherry Loaf (based on a standard recipe):

Nutrition Facts (Approximate per serving):

• Calories: 250-300 kcal
• Total Fat: 10-12 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 6-7 grams
• Cholesterol: 50-60 mg
• Sodium: 200-250 mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 38-42 grams
  • Dietary Fiber: 1-2 grams
  • Sugars: 22-25 grams
• Protein: 3-4 grams

Health Information:

1. Moderate Calorie Content: Applesauce Cherry Loaf is moderately calorie-dense, so it’s best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

2. Fat Content: It contains a moderate amount of fat, mainly from butter. You can reduce the fat content by using substitutes like applesauce or yogurt in place of some of the butter.

3. Cholesterol: The cholesterol content comes from the eggs and butter. If you’re concerned about cholesterol, you can explore egg substitutes or lower-fat butter alternatives.

4. Sodium: The sodium content can vary depending on the amount of salt used in the recipe. Reducing salt can help lower the sodium content.

5. Carbohydrates and Sugars: This loaf is rich in carbohydrates and sugars, primarily from the applesauce and added sugar. Be mindful of your sugar intake, especially if you have dietary restrictions or are watching your sugar intake.

6. Dietary Fiber: It provides a small amount of dietary fiber, mainly from the flour and cherries. To increase fiber content, you could consider using whole wheat flour or adding more fiber-rich ingredients.

7. Protein: While it’s not a significant source of protein, the loaf does provide some. You can pair it with protein-rich foods like yogurt or nut butter for a more balanced snack.

Keep in mind that these values are approximate and can vary based on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used in your recipe. To get more accurate nutrition information, you can use a nutrition calculator or consult specific product labels if using commercial ingredients. Enjoy your Applesauce Cherry Loaf in moderation as part of a well-rounded diet! 🍒🍞😊