Honey Applesauce Oatmeal Bread

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 cup applesauce
• 3/8 cup lukewarm milk
• 1 Tbsp. honey
• 2 packages active dry yeast
• 2 eggs
• 3 cups sifted flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts, for topping
• cinnamon, for topping
• nutmeg, for topping

Applesauce Topping:

• 1 cup applesauce
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup flaked coconut

Directions

Bread:

Combine 1/2 cup honey, shortening, and applesauce. Heat until shortening melts. Cool to lukewarm. Combine milk, 1 Tbsp. honey, and yeast, stirring until yeast dissolves. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes. Beat eggs in large bowl. Add lukewarm applesauce mixture, yeast mixture, and flour. Mix to smooth batter. Add oats and salt; mix well. Cover and let rise until double in bulk. Beat batter again, spread batter in a greased 8 inch springform pan.

Topping:

Slowly cook applesauce down to 1/2 cup, combine with remaining ingredients. Spread topping on dough. Sprinkle with nuts, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cover and let rise until double in bulk. Bake at 375 degrees F for 50 to 60 minutes or until done.

By Robin from Washington, IA