Apple-Cinnamon Breakfast Bread

Breakfast and I have always had an on-again-off-again relationship. I don't like milk, and when I was little I definitely didn't like milk on my cereal, which made it get soggy and mushy. Now, however, I'll gladly eat a bowl of cereal and soy milk for breakfast 6-7 days each week, and occasionally for dinner, with snacks of dry cereal after school in the car. This morning, though, I needed something different. Sundays I'll occasionally make pancakes, french toast, or waffles, but I often finish those meals feeling as though I just ate my weight in carbohydrates. This morning I wanted something just as easy to make, but with slightly more nutritional value, preferably with more than one food group included. Twirling the lazy-susan cabinet around to grab the Bisquick I saw the solution -- applesauce! I keep a few individual serving size cups of applesauce in the house since they're so great for baking. There were two left, which ended up being just right for a quick-bread. I love apple pie, so I made sure to add lots of cinnamon and nutmeg to give it a hint of apple pie flavor. I also don't own a loaf pan, but making it in a 9-inch round pan didn't hurt the flavor and meant there was more of the yummy edge parts.This didn't end up being the healthiest breakfast bread, but it hit the spot -- moist, cinnamon-y, and a great compliment to a cup of coffee and the Sunday newspaper.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 4-oz cups of applesauce (I used Mussleman's Natural)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 eggs
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup milk
  
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 2/3 cup Bisquick
• If you're feeling creative (or have a well stocked pantry), try adding 1/3 cup of chopped nuts or chocolate chips during step 3!
  

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, coat pan with non-stick spray
2. Using a whisk, mix together applesauce, milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar.
3. Add Bisquick and mix until most big lumps are gone. Batter will still be lumpy from the applesauce, so don't overmix. If you're adding
   
4. Pour batter into pan and bake for 40 minutes. Test with toothpick (I was out, chopsticks work well, too!) to make sure the middle is cooked through.
5. Allow to cool 3-5 minutes. This is crucial for making sure you get your piece off of the bottom of the pan!