Gluten Free Maple Cinnamon Applesauce Bread

A low fat and low sugar gluten free Maple Cinnamon Applesauce Bread that is flavored with cinnamon and maple and topped with a cinnamon sugar topping. Baked with applesauce to reduce fat.

Spring break calls for creativity, as in “Game Face on Baby!!!”

I’m telling you, I’ve been pulling out all the tricks in my bag for this past week and a half. Those tricks mostly include uncle Landon, uncle Weston, Grandma Kaye, Grandpa Cal, Grandma…Haha! My poor family definitely gets taken advantage of when I roll into town.

Something that is difficult for me even on a regular back to school basis is providing my family with healthy treats/snacks. I’m not one to let my children scavenge in the pantry for whatever they want…especially at grandma’s. If that were the case they would be living off of Fruit Roll-ups and granola bars for days.

When Braelyn is in school I don’t have to worry too much about the snacks she eats. They do allow a snack time in kindergarten (which I only found out about a few weeks ago), but Braelyn isn’t willing to waste her art and social time to stop and eat. So, I never send her with one.

You know what that means, though. When she gets home she is absolutely starving and I try to have something healthy and fun waiting for her when she walks in the door from school.

Her favorite snack to walk in on is any kind of sweet quick bread or muffin. She absolutely loves my no sugar Almond Joy Bread and she is a sucker for Nutella Stuffed Banana Muffins.

It was no exception when she walked in the door to a slice of this warm gluten free Maple Cinnamon Applesauce Bread.

This lightly sweetened quick bread is moist, soft and tender. It’s baked with applesauce as opposed to loads of oil or butter, and sweetened with maple syrup and just a touch of granulated sugar and brown sugar.

A slice of this bread is the perfect compromise in my eyes because it is made with minimal sugar. Sugar = treat. Yet, it’s not nearly enough to send your kid on hyper drive. It’s enough to satisfy their cravings all while saving your sanity.

On top of the obvious sugar enticement, the basic flavors of this bread alone leave you craving more. I mean, who doesn’t love the combo of maple and cinnamon?! I think every brand of kids’ cereal has figured this one out. But, I would much rather feed my kiddos a slice of this bread for breakfast than a sugar loaded bowl of cereal.

I also love the crust that forms at the top of this bread. By sprinkling a mixture of cinnamon and sugar over the batter just before baking, you get this crisp sugary crunch on top.

Actually, if you’re not careful, you may turn your back for a moment and realize that the entire top to your loaf of bread has disappeared. Those little hands can be quite sneaky.

To find the full recipe for this fun after school snack, head on over to Kristen Duke’s lifestyle blog.