Cinnamon Glazed Apple Butter Bread

 

DID YOU KNOW Apple butter is a spreadable preserve made by slow-cooking apples with warming spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice? The apples are cooked for a long time over low heat, caramelizing them and concentrating their flavor, which turns them into a spreadable fruit. The only thing apple butter has in common with regular butter is its spreadability. 

Ideas to Use Apple Butter 

Spread it on toast

• Stir it into oatmeal
• Top your pancakes and waffles with it
• Use it instead of pumpkin or applesauce in recipes
• Set out a bowl with a cheese plate
• Swirl it into cakes or cupcakes
• Brush it on chicken or pork during the last few cooking minutes

Cinnamon Glazed Apple Butter Bread 
Cook's Notes: The recipe makes one loaf and comes from thebatterthickens.com
Bread 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice 
• 1 cup apple butter
• 3/4 chopped pecans or walnuts

Note: Substitute the cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice with 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice mixed with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.

Cinnamon Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1-2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Bread Directions:

• With an electric mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar. Add the egg and beat well. In a glass measuring cup, combine the buttermilk and baking soda. Set aside.
• In a separate bowl, mix together the flour with spices. Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with the buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with the flour.
• Stir in the apple butter and chopped pecans if using. Pour the mixture into a greased 9-inch x 5-inch x 3-inch loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Depending on your oven, you may need to cook for a shorter or longer time. Do not over-bake or your bread will turn out dry. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Cinnamon Glaze Directions:

• Mix together the powdered sugar, butter, cinnamon, vanilla, and enough milk to reach your desired consistency. I usually use 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk. 
• Drizzle the mixture over the bread and allow it to cool completely.