Every year when the apples are ready for picking, my husband says, "How about making a loaf of that apple bread?"

This recipe works best if you use pecans!

½ cup butter, softened
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
2 eggs
1 cup grated peeled apple
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons buttermilk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped nuts
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and one cup sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in apple. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Stir in vanilla and nuts. Pour into a greased and floured 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan. Combine cinnamon and remaining sugar; sprinkle over batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pan to a wire rack.