Holiday Open House: Cinnamon Bread

I love the Holiday season.  I love it so much that each year it seems that we start getting into the festivities just a little bit earlier.  My girls and I love decorating, baking, and doing Holiday themed crafts. My favorite bread of all time is the cinnamon bread recipe below.  I've posted it before, but it is my go to recipe for the holidays.  I serve it when people visit and I give it as a gift to those I visit.  Once you've tried this bread, you will be hooked for life!  Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour (or substitute with whole wheat flour)
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 (5.1 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees . Grease two 5x9 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, pudding mix, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, mix the milk, oil, applesauce, eggs, and vanilla. Stir the milk mixture into the flour mixture until smooth. Sprinkle the bottoms of the loaf pans with cinnamon sugar, and divide the batter between the 2 pans.  Sprinkle the tops of the loaves with cinnamon sugar.
3. Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a loaf comes out clean.

Don't this sound delicious?  If you get a chance to try it out, I'd love to hear your feedback. What is your favorite Holiday bread?   Grab a latte, put up your feet, and join the discussion!