Five-Spice Tea Cake

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
2. 2
   Butter a 6-cup loaf pan and line it with waxed or parchment paper.
3. 3
   Sift together the baking powder, baking soda, salt, flour, five-spice mixture, and ginger.
4. 4
   In a medium bowl, mix together the tea and applesauce.
5. 5
   In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the eggs and sugar until very light and fluffy.
6. 6
   With the mixer running at medium speed, drizzle in the oil and mix.
7. 7
   Add 1/3 of the dry ingredients and 1/3 of the tea-applesauce mixture and mix.
8. 8
   Repeat twice more, using up all of the ingredients.
9. 9
   Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake until firm to the touch and split on the top, and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, 70 to 90 minutes.
10. 10
    Set the pan on a wire rack and let cool 30 minutes, then turn out onto the rack, peel off the paper, and let cool.