SPICED APPLE BREAD with APPLE GLAZE
1 large apple, finely chopped (with peel) ~ I use my food processor
1/4 cup butter, softened.............................................1/2 cup white sugar
1 envelope apple cider mix.........................................2 cups flour
1/4 cup apple butter.....................................................1/4 cup apple juice or cider
2 tsp baking powder.....................................................1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt.......................................................................1-2 tsp. cinnamon
2 eggs.................................................................................1 tsp. lemon juice
GLAZE:
3/4 cup powdered sugar...............................................apple juice or cider
***
Preheat oven to 350. Spray 1 large bread pan or 2 mini pans with non-stick baking spray.** Put the apple butter into a measuring cup (about 2 heaping TB), then fill to the 1/2 cup mark with apple cider. Mix together with a fork and set aside.
Whisk together flour, apple cider mix, baking powder, soda, salt and cinnamon together. Cream butter and sugar; add eggs and mix well. ** Mix in the chopped apples and stir to blend well. Add the flour mixture (alternately with the apple butter/cider), and mix to blend it thoroughly.
When well blended, spread it evenly in the prepared pan(s). (TIP: After filling the pans, smooth the top; then bang each pan down sharply on the counter top. This breaks any air bubbles inside the dough, so it will rise evenly). Bake at 350 for 45 minutes to 1 hour (test with toothpick for doneness)~ about 35-45 minutes for the mini loaves).
Optional GLAZE: Start with about 3/4 cup powdered sugar and a dash of cinnamon, whisking in apple juice 1 tsp at a time, until thick, smooth drizzle consistency. If you drizzle/spread it on the warm bread, it will be translucent. If you drizzle it on cooled bread, it will be opaque.
VARIATION: You can use Apple Jack or any apple-flavored vodka or liqueur instead of the apple juice, if you want.