Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9" x 5" loaf pan and set aside.
Combine the wet ingredients, applesauce through vanilla extract, in a large bowl. Whisk well to blend.
In another large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Make a well in the dry ingredients with a spoon and pour in the applesauce mixture. Stir just enough to combine; do not over mix. Fold in the apples and walnuts.
Pour into pan and smooth. Sprinkle 1 Tablespoon of sugar over top of bread and bake 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Remove from oven and allow to cool about 15 minutes. Remove from loaf pan and finish cooling on a wire rack.
For Maple Butter, whip softened butter with maple syrup. Chill.