Applesauce Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3/4 c. all-bran cereal
2 to 2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 pkg. active dry yeast
3/4 c. unsweetened applesauce
1/4 c. skim milk
3 Tbsp. margarine
1 egg, at room temperature

Preparation

Stir together the cereal, 1/2 cup of the flour, the sugar, salt and yeast in a large mixing bowl.
Set aside.
In a small saucepan, heat the applesauce, milk and butter until very warm (120\u00b0 to 130\u00b0; the butter does not need to melt).
Gradually add to the cereal mixture and beat 2 minutes at medium speed with an electric mixer, occasionally scraping the bowl.
Add the egg and another 1/2 cup of flour.
Beat 2 minutes at high speed, scraping the bowl.
By hand, stir in enough remaining flour to make a stiff, sticky dough. Cover loosely with a damp towel.
Let rise in a warm place until double in volume.
Punch down the dough and shape into a loaf. Place in a lightly greased 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan.
Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in volume.
Bake at 375\u00b0 for about 30 minutes or until done.
To prevent overbrowning, cover loosely with foil during the last few minutes of baking time. Remove the loaf from the pan and cool on a wire rack.
Yield:
16 slices.