APPLESAUCE GINGERBREAD

Tuesday was the last time this year that I will go be going into Hillcrest Thrift Shop to volunteer.The shop will be closed the day after Christmas, which would have been my next time to go in. I thought I would make them some gingerbread and this recipe just happened to be the Recipe of the Week at texascooking.com. As it turned out, it was just perfect for the occasion. When I left and told them I would see them next year, that sounded so strange. 

It is hard to believe that 2017 is almost over. This has been another good year full of many blessings. We vacationed in Florida, Southeast Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, northwest Arkansas, and Tennessee. We also visited several times our older son and his family in Colorado. My theater group (Friends Janice and Fran and myself) enjoyed The Phantom of the Opera, Beautiful, the Musical, 42nd Street, Fun House, Waitress, and Les Miserables. Our granddaughter Madison played softball this year for the first time (summer and fall) and grandson Tyler played t-ball again this summer. One of the reasons we moved to Kansas City from Ventura, CA was to be able to experience activities with our future grandchildren. I just wish we were closer to our CO grandchildren. I miss too much of their lives. We remodeled one of our bathrooms this month and hope to do some more remodeling in the kitchen, and the other two bathrooms next year. Having lived in Ventura, CA for 21 years, my husband and I have been (and continue to be) greatly affected by the Thomas fire in Ventura and the surrounding areas. It just breaks our hearts seeing pictures of the aftermath. They are talking about it continuing in 2018 before it is completely under control. Friends who lost everything, friends dealing with the conditions, and the firemen putting their lives in danger to fight the fires are all in our prayers. I hope 2017 has been a good year for you, too.

APPLESAUCE GINGERBREAD

1       cup melted butter (2 sticks)
1       cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2    cup molasses
2       large eggs, lightly beaten
1       cup applesauce
2       cups flour
2       teaspoons baking soda
2       teaspoons ground ginger
1       teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9 x 13 - inch baking dish, or use baking spray with flour.

Combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and molasses in a mixing bowl.

Add the eggs,

stir in the applesauce and

beat well.

Sift the flour, baking soda, ginger, and cinnamon together.

Add to batter. Stir well, scraping sides of the bowl and mixing thoroughly.

Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack before cutting.

This applesauce gingerbread is great just as it is....so moist. If you want, you could add a dollop of whipped topping or a lemon sauce.