Apple Spice Banana Bread or Autumn Banana Bread

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. For Apple-spice Mixture: Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir until combined.
3. For Banana Bread Batter: In an electric mixer, Beat sugar and butter together in a bowl using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, until incorporated; add vanilla extract. Then add in two ripe bananas and mix.
4. Combine flour, spices and baking powder together in a bowl; stir into creamed wet ingredients mixture. Mix applesauce into batter until smooth.
5. Pour half the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Lightly pat half of apple mixture into batter. Pour the remaining batter over apple layer; top with remaining apples and brown sugar mixture. Lightly pat apples into batter.
6. Bake for 60 minutes, checking to see if top is browning too much (if it is, place tin foil over top). If toothpick inserted does not come out clean at the 60 minute mark, check bread at 5 minute intervals until it comes out clean.