Description
This moist and flavorful Applesauce Bread is a delightful twist on traditional quick breads, using unsweetened applesauce to add natural sweetness and moisture. Infused with warm spices like cinnamon and optional nutmeg or cloves, it’s a perfect snack or breakfast option. The addition of nuts and dried fruits or chocolate chips adds texture and bursts of flavor, making each slice irresistible.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for gluten-free option)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg or cloves for extra spice
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup sugar (or reduce slightly or substitute with maple syrup)
- 1/3 cup oil (vegetable or canola) or melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins (Optional)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/2 cup raisins, dried cranberries, or chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Pan: Gather all ingredients and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and any additional spices until evenly combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Add the applesauce, sugar, oil or melted butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and the sugar begins to dissolve.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold together with a spatula until just combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
- Add Optional Ingredients: Carefully fold in any optional ingredients such as nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed without overworking the batter.
- Bake the Bread: Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Slice: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing to help it set and achieve clean slices.
Notes
- You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to make this bread gluten-free.
- For added sweetness without refined sugar, try substituting sugar with pure maple syrup, but reduce the quantity slightly due to liquid content.
- Toasting nuts before adding them can enhance their flavor.
- Do not overmix the batter once wet and dry ingredients are combined to keep the bread tender.
- Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
