Chocolate-Applesauce Bread

Applesauce adds moisture to this chocolate quick bread studded with peanuts. The batter comes together quickly and the bread bakes for about an hour -- while everyone sits around the tree. Round out breakfast with mugs of coffee and cocoa.

Makes: 16 servings

Prep: 15 minutesBake: 1 hour to 1 hour 5 minutes

 

Ingredients

• 1/2  cup  (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
• 1-1/3  cups  granulated sugar
• 2    eggs
• 1-1/2  cups  unsweetened applesauce
• 3  cups  all-purpose flour
• 1/4  cup  unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1-3/4  teaspoons  baking soda
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• 1/2  teaspoon  ground cinnamon
• 1/8  teaspoon  ground nutmeg
• 2/3  cup  milk chocolate chips
• 1/2  cup  dry-roasted unsalted peanuts, chopped
•   Garnish:
• 1  teaspoon  confectioners' sugar
• 1  teaspoon  unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Coat nonstick loaf pan (11-1/2 x 5-1/2 x 3 inches) or 2 loaf pans (8-1/2 x 4-1/2 x 2-3/8 inches) with nonstick vegetable cooking spray.
2. Beat butter and sugar on medium speed in large bowl until smooth and fluffy, 2 minutes. Add eggs; beat 1 minute. Beat in applesauce (mixture will look curdled).
3. Mix flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in large bowl. Make well in center. Add applesauce mixture, chocolate chips and peanuts to well; stir into flour mixture until just combined and flour mixture is evenly moistened. Spoon mixture into prepared pan(s).
4. Bake in 350°F oven 60 to 65 minutes, until toothpick tests clean. Let cool in pan(s) 15 minutes. Turn out onto rack; let cool completely.
5. Garnish: Dust with sugar, cocoa.

Nutrition Facts

• Servings Per Recipe 16 servings
• Calories287,
• Total Fat (g)11,
• Saturated Fat (g)6,
• Cholesterol (mg)44,
• Sodium (mg)226,
• Carbohydrate (g)43,
• Fiber (g)2,
• Protein (g)5,
• Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

---

From  Magazine

Catch a Snowflake

Catch a Snowflake

[15 Minutes]

The beauty of a snowfall is made even more special when you and your child can see the uniqueness of individual flakes. Try these ways of catching snowflakes!

You'll need:

• black or blue construction paper • magnifying glass (optional) • falling snow

What to do:

1. When it is snowing, invite your child to watch the falling flakes with you. Help him notice where the snow is falling and if it is sticking to the ground, tree branches, and sidewalks.
2. Suggest that you try to catch some snowflakes so you can see them up close.
3. Have him place a piece of dark construction paper in the freezer for a few minutes.
4. While the paper is getting cold, dress warmly and talk about why these snow clothes are needed.
5. Take the cold paper outside and catch some snowflakes. Stand under some light and look at them quickly before they disappear.
6. Encourage your child to look through a magnifying glass to see the unique shape of each snowflake.
7. When your child is no longer interested, try catching snowflakes on your tongues. (This works best if the snow falling is made up of really big flakes.)
8. You'll be laughing and giggling as you move and run to catch the snowflakes.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• What do snowflakes look like up close? Would you be able to draw some of the shapes we saw on paper?
• Could you taste the snowflakes? What does it taste like?

Useful information:

While you are having fun together, your child is developing observational skills and an understanding of nature.