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Home » Recipes » Muffins and Quick Breads

Published: Oct 2, 2021 · Updated: Oct 26, 2021 by Paula Montenegro
Income from ads and affiliate links1 Comment

Applesauce Bread

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Several slices of applesauce bread on white napkin, orange text overlay
Front view of cut applesauce loaf, white surface and background, orange text overlay

Easy to make and with a great sweet crumb, this is the type of quick bread that is great toasted in the morning. In this house, we make homemade applesauce and then several loaves that we keep frozen in slices so they can be ready in a few minutes. You can also add pecans and cinnamon sugar to the topping for a crunchier crust.

Table of Contents show
About this recipe
Ingredients
How to make this quick bread
When is the applesauce bread done?
Top tips
Related recipes you might like:
Applesauce Bread
Ingredients
Nutrition
Slices of applesauce bread on white kitchen cloth, white bowl in back with applesauce

If it's time for apples, it's time for this applesauce bread recipe, a more simple alternative to our applesauce pecan bread with blueberries, a recipe that is a constant companion in this house. We make it year-round and sometimes add raspberries for a tangier result.

But a classic quick bread with applesauce was missing, especially since we now make our own applesauce on a regular basis. This is a vintage recipe that we love, very much aligned with the applesauce muffins, but that uses butter for a richer flavor.

About this recipe

  • Easy to make: it does need the butter to be creamed, but this is a one bowl recipe that comes together in 15 minutes.
  • Great alternative: if you're into sweeter mornings, this bread makes wonderful toast and French toast. Even sandwiches depending on the filling.
  • Versatile: you can use different flavorings (zest, spices, even a tablespoon of licor) and also add-ins like pecans or chocolate chips.
  • Make ahead: you can make several loaves and have them in the freezer (I slice them first) for at least a month.
Slanted view of cut applesauce bread on white surface and background

Ingredients

  • Applesauce: we use our homemade unsweetened applesauce recipe, but you can also use store-bought. Make sure it's good quality and has no sugar.
  • Flour: both all purpose flour and whole wheat flour are used for a more homey and rustic texture. Make sure the latter is superfine to achieve a fluffy crumb. You can use all white flour if that's all you have.
  • Salt: I use kosher salt for my baking.
  • Baking powder and baking soda: they are the leaveners in this recipe and will help the bread rise as it bakes. Make sure they're fresh.
  • Brown sugar: use light or dark brown sugar, both work.
  • Unsalted butter
  • Eggs: fresh, large are the standard for the recipes in this blog.
  • Cinnamon: I like to use this one spice
  • Vanilla: I use pure vanilla extract or paste. It mellows out the overall flavor and works very well with the applesauce and cinnamon.
Bowls with ingredients for applesauce bread on white surface including butter, flours, brown sugar, eggs, cinnamon

How to make this quick bread

Have all ingredients for this sweet bread measured and at the right temperature, grab a large bowl, an electric beater (I use handheld, no need for the big stand mixer), a spatula and you're all set.

  • Creaming: this is a method where the soft butter is beaten with the sugar that is added gradually. This incorporates air that will help the bread rise better in the oven. Then the eggs are added, one by one so that they incorporate well to the batter. Image 1
  • Applesauce: make sure it's at room temperature so it's similar to the rest of the ingredients. This is important in baking to make sure the ingredients are mixed well. At this point we also add the flavorings (ground cinnamon and vanilla extract). Image 2
  • Dry ingredients: also called the flour mixture, they are added at the end and the batter is mixed just until it's all well incorporated. You can use a spatula and stir it instead of beating, but it you use the beaters, don't over do it because it develops gluten and that is not good for a tender crumb. And make sure the whole wheat flour is superfine (image 3) if you want a fluffy crumb.
  • Loaf pan: I line the bread pan with a strip of parchment paper that will help remove the applesauce bread after it's baked. You simply lift the ends of the paper and lift the whole bread.
Glass bowl with quick bread in the making, adding egg and applesauce, grey surface
Two image collage with applesauce bread process: adding flour to batter, loaf pan with unbaked mixture

When is the applesauce bread done?

Baking this type of bread that is soft and tender has a lot to do with the baking time. As I explain in the top tips below, we should always be familiar with our ovens and make sure we know the little tricks to make them work better.

When baking this quick bread recipe, make sure you don't overbake it. Start checking the time given in the recipe card below, and as soon as a cake tester or toothpick comes out clean, remove the loaf from the oven.

Baked loaf of applesauce bread in pan on black cooling rack on white marble
Half loaf of applesauce quick bread on white napkin, white background

Top tips

  • Organization: always read the recipe first and make sure you have all the ingredients, at the right temperatures, and also the rest of the equipment and space to make it. This will make the process so much easier!
  • Baking time: keep in mind that all ovens and pans are different, even if they look the same or very similar. The baking time in my recipes are as accurate as I they can be, but it might take you more or less time. You can use a thermometer that is placed inside the oven (like the OXO oven thermometer) to check that your oven is the right temperature. I recommend you keep track of how your oven works and what tiny details you might need to adjust. 
  • Substitutions: use all purpose flour, 2 cups total, and no whole wheat flour. Use vegetable oil (sunflower, canola, coconut) instead of butter, 8 tablespoons or ½ cup.
  • Toppings: you can sprinkle some chopped walnuts or pecans on top of the batter before baking. Or some cinnamon sugar for a crackly crust. Or both.
  • Add-ins: you can add ½ a cup raisins or cranberries, chopped pecans or walnuts, chocolate chips to the batter.
  • Flavorings: together with the cinnamon you can add some vanilla extract, orange zest, or use and apple pie spice mix instead.
  • Individual breads: make cute little mini applesauce breads to give as gifts. I like this mini loaf pan from Wilton.
Top view of sliced applesauce quick bread on white napkin, brown surface, white bowl with applesauce

Related recipes you might like:

  • Applesauce Muffins
  • Homemade Applesauce (sweetened & unsweetened)
  • Blueberry Pecan Applesauce Bread
  • Apple Walnut Cake

Let me know in the comments below if you made this recipe and loved it, and also if you had issues, so we can troubleshoot together. I love to hear what you think, always. Thanks for being here, it's much appreciated.
You might also consider subscribing to our FREE email series to Boost your Home Baking Skills! And our regular newsletter.
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Slanted view of cut applesauce bread on white surface and background

Applesauce Bread

  • Author: Paula Montenegro
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cooling time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 10 slices 1x
  • Category: Quick bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

Easy to make and with a great sweet crumb, this is the type of quick bread that is great toasted in the morning. In this house we make homemade applesauce and then several loaves that we keep frozen in slices so they can be ready in a few minutes. You can also add pecans and cinnamon sugar to the topping for a crunchier crust. 


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour (or use 2 cups of all-purpose flour only)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ¼ cups unsweetened applesauce
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs, at room temperature

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven at 350°F/180°C.
  2. Butter or spray a 9x4 inch (10x24 cm) loaf pan and, if you want, add a strip of parchment paper to cover the bottom and two shorter sides. This will make it easier to remove the bread. 
  3. Beat soft butter for 20 seconds in a large bowl with electric beaters (if using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment). 
  4. Add sugar gradually while you continue beating at medium speed, and then for 3 more minutes after adding all of it. The mixture should be light in color, fluffy and the sugar will have partially dissolved. 
  5. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl regularly. 
  6. Add applesauce, cinnamon, vanilla and mix. 
  7. Sift the dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder) together in a bowl, or have them measured and sift them directly over the cake batter. You might not be able to sift the whole wheat flour if your sifter is very thin, so add it directly. 
  8. Add flour mixture in 2 parts, so that they integrate well. 
  9. Mix it all well, but don't beat much at this point. After adding the last part of the flour mixture, you should have most of it not incorporated when you add the berries. After adding the flour, cake and bread batters should not be beaten too much as that will develop gluten and toughen it after it's baked. 
  10. Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. 
  11. Bake in the middle rack for about 40 minutes, until it rises, the top probably cracks and a tester or toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. It might a little more or less depending on the type of pan and oven you use. 
  12. Cool on a wire rack and always run a smooth bladed knife along the sides of the pan that are not lined with paper to make sure no batter is stuck. Remove carefully from the pan, lifting the paper on both ends and lifting the bread. Then remove the strip of paper. 
  13. Store at room temperature wrapped in plastic wrap for 2 days and after that refrigerate or freeze, always well covered or wrapped. 

Notes

Organization: always read the recipe first and make sure you have all the ingredients, at the right temperatures, and also the rest of the equipment and space to make it. This will make the process so much easier!

Baking time: keep in mind that all ovens and pans are different, even if they look the same or very similar. The baking time in my recipes are as accurate as I they can be, but it might take you more or less time. You can use a thermometer that is placed inside the oven (like the OXO oven thermometer) to check that your oven is the right temperature. I recommend you keep track of how your oven works and what tiny details you might need to adjust. 

Substitutions: use all purpose flour, 2 cups total, and no whole wheat flour. Use oil instead of butter, 8 tablespoons or ½ cup.

Toppings: you can sprinkle some chopped walnuts or pecans on top of the batter before baking. Or some cinnamon sugar for a crackly crust. Or both.

Add-ins: you can add ½ a cup raisins or cranberries, chopped pecans or walnuts, chocolate chips to the batter.

Flavorings: together with the cinnamon you can add some vanilla extract, orange zest, or use and apple pie spice mix instead.

Individual breads: make cute little mini applesauce breads to give as gifts. I like this mini loaf pan from Wilton.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/12
  • Calories: 212
  • Sugar: 14.6 g
  • Sodium: 92.7 mg
  • Fat: 8.8 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30.9 g
  • Protein: 3.6 g
  • Cholesterol: 51.3 mg

Keywords: applesauce bread

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Comments

  1. angiesrecipes says

    October 02, 2021 at 7:00 am

    Easy, versatile, and perfect for Fall...I want a huge slice with some chai :-))

    Reply

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A baker for more than 30 years and your designated recipe finder, sharing the best ones on this blog, with simple ingredients + easy-to-follow instructions.

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