Spiced Applesauce Cake (Low Fat)

Happy Halloween! I'm quite disappointed that I didn't get around to doing ANY "Halloween Baking" this year... not even a batch of classic witch's finger shortbread cookies. I guess this just means that I have an excuse to do lots more baking AFTER Halloween. I like to chop up the mini chocolate bars and throw them into cookie batter instead of using chocolate chips.

In anticipation for all the UNhealthy baking I will be doing after halloween, this week I made a healthy, fall-inspired quickbread. This fragrant, spicy, wholesome loaf is a warm welcome to the rainy, cold fall weather. With only 2 tablespoons of butter, this is one of the healthier things you could bake this season. Of course, it is not as buttery as a full-fat cake, so don't bake this loaf expecting that kind of a texture. That being said, it is totally, without a doubt worth making and it definitely does not skimp on flavor. So moist and so snackable. Don't pass this recipe up!

For a touch more sweetness and indulgence, try adding a brown sugar streusel on top or serve with a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Spiced Applesauce Loaf (Low Fat)
1 loaf | adapted from allrecipes.com

1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
1 egg
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 small apple, diced
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup raisins (optional)

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Add to applesauce mixture; mix well. Stir in the walnuts and diced apples and raisins (if using).

2. Pour into a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.