Breakfast Apple Bread

My husband described this bread as "smelling like Christmas morning" when it was in the oven!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 6 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 3 medium apples

Topping

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons chopped nuts (I used pecans)
• 1/4 cup butter (cold)
• Nuts (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°.  Butter and flour a loaf pan.
2. Peel and core apples, then cut into 1/4-inch cubes.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
4. In a mixer, beat together butter and light brown sugar until fluffy. Add honey and mix until combined. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat until incorporated.
5. With the mixer on low, add half the flour mixture and beat until just combined. Beat in applesauce; then remaining flour mixture until combined. (don't overmix).  Fold apples into the batter.
6. Transfer bread mix to pan.  Cut butter into brown sugar and pecans.  Sprinkle mix on top of bread mix.
7. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour, 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.