Cinnamon Chip Applesauce Coffeecake

1 C (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 C sugar
2 eggs
1/2 t vanilla
3/4 C applesauce
2 1/2 C flour
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 pkg (10oz) Hershey’s Cinnamon Chips
1 C chopped pecans (opt)
Sugar glaze or powdered sugar

Heat oven to 350. Lightly grease 9×13″ pan. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl on med speed until well blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Mix in applesauce. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in cinnamon chips and pecans, if desired. Spread into prepared pan. Bake 30-35 minutes, or until done. Cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or drizzle with sugar glaze. (Sugar glaze: Stir together 3/4 C powdered sugar and 1-2 T of warm water to desired consistency.)

**Recipe from back of the cinnamon chip bag, courtesy of Hershey’s Kitchens. This is a fabulous recipe, found by way of one Mrs. Karen Choi and dutifully passed on to many other Zion women. I’m posting it here for easy reference (and just in case Hershey’s no longer prints this recipe on the chip bag).