Description
This delicious applesauce bread is a moist and flavorful quick bread perfect for breakfast or as a snack. Infused with warm fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and optionally enhanced with nuts, this easy-to-make loaf is subtly sweetened with both granulated and brown sugars, with the added moisture and natural sweetness from unsweetened applesauce. It’s wonderfully soft, aromatic, and pairs well with a cup of tea or coffee.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with oil or butter, or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until evenly combined. Set aside.
- Combine Sugars and Oil: In a large bowl, beat together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time to the sugar and oil mixture, beating well after each addition to ensure they are fully incorporated.
- Incorporate Applesauce and Vanilla: Stir in the unsweetened applesauce and vanilla extract, mixing well to create a uniform wet batter.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring just until all ingredients are combined and no large flour pockets remain. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Fold in Nuts (Optional): If using, gently fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans to add texture and flavor.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top evenly with a spatula.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. This ensures the bread is fully cooked through.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For added texture and sweetness, stir in 1/2 cup raisins or chocolate chips along with the nuts.
- This bread freezes well — wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- The flavors deepen and the bread becomes even more moist and delicious the next day.
- Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep the bread tender.
