There’s something magical about the air changing. Crisp breezes, vibrant leaves, and the aroma of cinnamon… it all whispers of cozy evenings. For me, that aroma always brings me back to my grandmother’s kitchen. She’d pull a warm loaf of apple bread from the oven, and the whole house would fill with that incredible scent. This recipe for Apple Bread: The Perfect Fall Treat is my attempt to recreate that feeling, to share that warmth and comfort with you. It’s a little piece of autumn happiness, baked right into a loaf.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Bread Recipe
This isn’t your average apple bread. It’s moist, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. Forget complicated techniques and fussy ingredients. This recipe is designed for bakers of all levels. Even if you’ve never baked bread before, you can absolutely nail this.
Here’s why you’ll fall in love:
- It’s Seriously Moist: We’ll use a combination of shredded apple and applesauce to create unbelievable moisture. No dry bread here!
- Perfectly Spiced: The blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of cloves creates a truly autumnal flavor profile.
- Easy to Make: It’s a straight-forward recipe with minimal steps. You’ll be enjoying warm apple bread in under an hour.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This bread is fantastic for breakfast, dessert, or even a sweet snack. Everyone will love it!
- Uses Up Apples: Got a glut of apples from a recent trip to the orchard? This is the perfect way to use them.
The Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s gather our ingredients! I aim to keep things simple, so you likely have most of these in your pantry already.
- Apples: 3 medium apples (about 2 cups shredded), any variety works well! Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji are all excellent choices.
- Applesauce: 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- Flour: 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- Sugar: 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- Brown Sugar: 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar (adds a lovely molasses flavor!)
- Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon
- Baking Powder: 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
- Egg: 1 large egg
- Milk: 1/4 cup
- Vegetable Oil: 1/4 cup (canola, sunflower, or even melted coconut oil work)
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon
- Spices: 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves (optional, but delicious!)
Let’s Bake: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, let’s get baking! Follow these steps and you’ll have a warm, fragrant loaf in no time.
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan. This prevents the bread from sticking. You can also line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal later.
- Shred the Apples: Peel, core, and shred the apples using a box grater. Don’t worry about getting them perfectly uniform; a little texture is nice!
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves (if using). Whisking ensures everything is evenly distributed.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, applesauce, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Wet & Dry: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Stir just until combined. Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing can lead to tough bread.
- Add the Apples: Fold in the shredded apples until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly.
- Bake: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Start checking for doneness around 50 minutes.
- Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling completely prevents it from being crumbly when you slice it.
Tips, Variations, and Serving Suggestions
Now for the fun part – customizing! Here are some ways to elevate your apple bread.
Tips for Success:
- Apple Variety Matters: Tart apples like Granny Smith provide a nice contrast to the sweetness. Softer apples like Fuji or Gala will make it even more moist. You can even mix varieties!
- Don’t Overbake: Overbaking is the enemy of moist bread. Watch it carefully towards the end of baking.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: For best results, use eggs and milk that are at room temperature.
Variations to Try:
- Add Nuts: 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans adds a lovely crunch and nutty flavor. Fold them in with the apples.
- Raisins or Dried Cranberries: ¼ to ½ cup of raisins or dried cranberries will add a chewy sweetness.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom for a different spice profile.
- Streusel Topping (Optional): Combine 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons cold butter (cut into small pieces), and a pinch of cinnamon. Sprinkle over the batter before baking for a crunchy topping.
- Glaze: Once cooled, drizzle with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk.
Serving Suggestions:
- Warm with Butter: Simple and classic!
- With Cream Cheese: The tanginess of cream cheese is a perfect complement to the sweetness of the bread.
- Alongside Coffee or Tea: A cozy and comforting pairing.
- As a Dessert: Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, it’s a delightful dessert.
Nutritional Information (Approximate, per slice – 1/10 of loaf)
- Calories: 250-300
- Fat: 10-12g
- Saturated Fat: 2-3g
- Cholesterol: 40-50mg
- Sodium: 200-250mg
- Carbohydrates: 40-45g
- Fiber: 2-3g
- Sugar: 25-30g
- Protein: 3-4g
Please note: Nutritional information can vary based on ingredient brands and portion sizes.
Your New Favorite Fall Tradition Starts Now!
There you have it – a recipe for Apple Bread: The Perfect Fall Treat that will fill your home with warmth and delicious aromas. Don’t be intimidated! It’s truly a simple recipe to make. I hope you enjoy recreating my grandmother’s cozy kitchen experience and making new memories of your own. Give it a try – you won’t regret it! Happy baking!
