Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups firm tart apples, peeled and grated
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until no large clumps of brown sugar remain.
  3. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the melted butter, egg, applesauce, and vanilla extract. Stir with a spatula until the batter is just moistened, stopping as soon as no dry flour streaks remain.
  4. Gently fold in the grated apples and chopped walnuts or pecans until evenly distributed, being careful not to over-work the batter.
  5. Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until the top is mahogany brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  6. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.