Apple Pie Bread with Walnut-Oatmeal Streusel

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I don't know why, but whenever I buy apples I always pick way too many.  Like, enough so that I'd have to eat three a day before they go bad (I blame how nicely they are displayed at the grocery store).  By day two, I am sick of apples and am brainstorming ways to use up the rest.  Baking came to my mind first (obviously), so I decided to use a few in a cake!

I baked a cake, a nicely spiced apple cake to welcome Fall.  It was delicious, moist, fragrant and beautiful.  But being a perfectionist, I didn't like a few things.  First off, there needed to be more streusel, it looked like I accidentally spilled a sprinkle of oats onto the cake before baking.  Second, I chopped the apples far too small and they got lost in the cake.  Third, there needed to be more color.  It looked a little bland even though it was packed with flavor, so to add some color I added molasses to the recipe.

In the second trial, I baked the cake into two loaves simply because they are easier to transport than a slice of cake.  Once the loaves are cooled and sliced, I like to put a slice or two into sandwich baggies so I can grab them on my way out the door.  It also looks a little less strange to eat a slice of bread rather than a slice of cake in public  ;)

Everyone will enjoy this cake.  It is sweet, soft and moist, and is filled with delicate bites of apple and the perfect amount of spices.  The aroma itself will surely catch some attention!  This cake will not disappoint, it is our new Fall favorite.

Apple Pie Bread with Walnut-Oatmeal Streusel:  [low fat, high fiber, high protein]

(makes two 9x5" loaves or one 9" cake)

   Cake:

       240g (2 cups) Whole Wheat Pastry Flour

       60g (3/4 cup) Whey Protein Concentrate

       48g (1/4 cup) Sucanat (or dry sweetener of choice)

       2 tsp Cinnamon

       1/2 tsp Nutmeg

       1+1/2 tsp Baking Powder

       1/2 tsp Baking Soda

       1/4 tsp Salt

       369g (1+1/2 cups) Unsweetened Applesauce

       113g (1/2 cup) Plain, Nonfat Greek Yogurt

       42g (3 tbs) Walnut Oil (or any other neutral oil)

       42g (2 tbs) Molasses

       3 large Egg Whites

       1 tbs Stevia Extract

       2 tsp Vanilla Extract

       2 cups Apples, chopped

   Streusel:

       1/4 cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

       1/4 cup Walnuts, chopped

       3 tbs Pure Cane Sugar (or dry sweetener of choice)

       1 tsp Cinnamon

       1 tbs Walnut Oil (or any other neutral oil)

       1 tsp Butter Extract (optional, but delicious!)

Directions:

1.  Chop the apples (I used Fuji apples, I diced one apple into small chunks and the other I diced chunky)

2.  Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenight and spray two loaf pans or one 9" springform cake pan with cooking spray.

3.  In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, protein concentrate, sucanat, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

4.  In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the applesauce, yogurt, oil, molasses, egg whites, stevia and vanilla.

5.  Dump the dry over the wet and gently fold together.  Fold in the apples.

6.  Pour batter into the prepared pan(s) and bake loaves for ~45-55 minutes or bake cake for ~50-60 minutes (or when surface is firm when tapped and a toothpick comes out clean).  Let cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack.  Slice when completely cool.

Keep leftovers covered at room temperature for one day, then refrigerate for up to four days after that.

It's really hard to believe that such a sweet and decadent, unhealthy tasting slice can have only 180 calories and 5g of fat.  And because there is also 3g of fiber and 7g of protein, that slice (or two) will keep you full for hours!

Do you ever buy too much at the grocery store?  And do you brainstorm on how to use it all up so you don't have to toss it?