Low Fat/Low Sugar Apple Tea Bread

When the angel on my left shoulder and the devil on my right start bickering about wanting cake, it's often time to bake a healthier version.

Apple makes a great filling because it adds both natural moisture and sweetness, two challenges of lower fat and lower sugar pastries. Delicious warm with a cup of tea, this sweet bread usually quiets down the bickering. Enjoy!

Ingredients
1 3/4 Cups all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 Teaspoon baking soda
1/4 Teaspoon salt
1/4 Cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 Cup Splenda or other artificial sweetener
1 Apple
1 Cup low-fat buttermilk
1 Egg
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
5 Tablespoons low-fat butter
1/4 Teaspoon cinnamon

Combine the dry ingredients - flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, 1/4 cup of sugar and artificial sweetener in a bowl.

Peel, core and dice the apple and place in a separate bowl with a couple of tablespoons of the dry mixture. (Coating the apple in the flour mixture will prevent the pieces from sinking to the bottom of the cake when baking.)

Using a pastry cutter or fork, blend the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles course crumbs.

Combine the wet ingredients - buttermilk, egg and vanilla in a bowl and whisk together.

Add the buttermilk/egg mixture to the flour/butter mixture and stir just until combined. Blend in the apple pieces and pour the batter into a loaf pan that's been coated with non-stick cooking spray. Combine the cinnamon with the one tablespoon of sugar and sprinkle over the top of the cake. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for one hour. Allow to cool slightly before slicing. Makes approximately 8 servings.