Applesauce Bread

3 cups all-purpose flour

3 eggs

2 cups white sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

2 cups applesauce

1 cup raisins (optional)

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 cup sour cream

Preheat over to 350° F (175° C). Grease and flour two 9x5 inch loaf pans. Beat together eggs, sugar, and oil. Blend in applesauce, and then sour cream or buttermilk. Mix in flour, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon. Stir in raisins. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake for 80 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

Yield: 24 servings.

Applesauce Brownies

1/2 cups shortening

2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cups applesauce

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup sifted all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350° F (175° C). Grease and flour a 9x9 inch pan. In a microwave oven or over a double boiler, melt shortening and chocolate together, stirring frequently until smooth. Set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, blend together the sugar, eggs, applesauce and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the chocolate mixture. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, gradually stir into the chocolate mixture. Spread evening into the prepared pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan before cutting into squares.

Applesauce-Pineapple Salad

1 cup applesauce (preferably not frozen)

1 small package red gelatin (can use diet)

1 small can 7UP; 1 1/2 cups (diet can be used)

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Dissolve gelatin in applesauce that has been heated to boiling. Add rest of ingredients and chill until set.

YIELD: 6 servings

Applesauce Muffins

1 cup butter or margarine softened

2 cups sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

4 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. ground allspice

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

1 cup walnuts (optional)

Cinnamon-sugar (optional)

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Stir in applesauce. Combine flour, baking soda and spices; stir into creamed mixture. Fold in nuts. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until muffins test done. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar if desired.

YIELD: about 2 dozen

Simple Applesauce Snacks

Applesauce Parfait

1/2 cup yogurt or low-fat cottage cheese topped with 1/2 cup applesauce and sprinkled with a favorite cereal.

Mix-Ins

Mix one of the following ingredients with applesauce for your own unique treat:

brown sugar

maple syrup

cinnamon & nutmeg

crumbled graham crackers

raisins

raspberry jam

fresh or frozen berries

granola

mashed banana with coconut

chopped nuts

dried cranberries

More Simple Applesauce Ideas

Arctic Applesauce

Pour applesauce into freezer pop forms or ice cube trays, covering with plastic wrap and inserting Popsicle sticks. Freeze for at least 2 hours.

Also great with Mix-Ins!

Breakfast Toppers

Top waffles and pancakes with a layer of applesauce, a spoonful of vanilla yogurt, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.