We went to the annual Bazaar at our church last weekend.   I have been waiting and waiting because of the lady that makes the Jalapeno Jelly.  It is absolutely the best I have ever found.   I love having it on hand for the holidays to pour over cream cheese and serve with crackers.  I enjoy it thoroughly.  While we were there I found a booth selling baked breads … Aloha, Pumpkin, Apple, etc.  Of course I bought some to put in the freezer.  What I didn’t find is anything near as wonderful as this Chocolate Applesauce Bread.  The applesauce keeps it moist and the Chocolate Chips make it just-one-more-bite yummy!

Chocolate Applesauce Bread

• 1/2 c. applesauce
• 1/3 c. butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 c. water
• 1 1/4 c. sugar
• 1 1/2 c. flour
• 1/3 c. cocoa powder
• 1 t. baking soda
• 3/4 t. salt
• 1/4 t. baking powder
• 1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks
• 1/3 c. chopped nuts – your choice

Glaze:

• 1/2 c. powdered sugar
• 1 to 2 T. Hershey’s Chocolate syrup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a mixing bowl, combine applesauce, shortening, eggs, water and sugar; beat on low speed for 30 seconds.  Combine dry ingredients, add to applesauce mixture.  Beat on low for 30 seconds, and then on high for 2 1/2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.  Fold in the chocolate chips and nuts.  Pour into a greased and floured 9×5x3 inch loaf pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 60 – 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes before removing bread from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.  Combine the glaze ingredients: drizzle over the bread and Voila!  you are done.