This Easy Apple Bread is the quintessence of fall baking, packing the comforting flavors of an apple pie into a moist, sliceable loaf. Loaded with fresh apples, warm cinnamon, and nutmeg, it fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma while it bakes.
With a tender, buttery crumb and a sweet, crunchy sugar crust, this quick bread is perfect for a cozy breakfast or an afternoon snack with coffee.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: A warm blend of cinnamon and nutmeg complements the tart sweetness of the fresh apple and the rich molasses notes from the brown sugar.
- Texture: The bread is dense and incredibly moist, with a soft crumb and optional crunch from toasted nuts.
- Time: 15 minutes prep, 60 minutes bake time.
- Difficulty: Very Easy. No mixer is required; just a bowl, a whisk, and a spatula.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need an 8½x4½-inch loaf pan and parchment paper to ensure the bread lifts out easily. You will also need a cheese grater (if grating the apples) or a sharp knife for chopping. The batter is thick and mixed by hand, so a sturdy silicone spatula is essential. The ingredients are simple pantry staples paired with a fresh, crisp apple.
Ingredient Notes
- Apple – You need 1 large apple, peeled and cored. Varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are best because they hold their texture and provide a nice balance of tart and sweet.
- Butter – Melted unsalted butter adds richness and moisture. Using melted butter instead of softened makes this recipe quick to mix by hand.
- Sugars – A combination of granulated sugar and packed light brown sugar gives the bread structure and a deep, caramel-like flavor. Extra granulated sugar is used for sprinkling on top.
- Spices – Ground cinnamon and grated nutmeg provide that classic autumn spice profile.
- Eggs – Two large eggs at room temperature help bind the batter and provide lift.
- Nuts – Chopped toasted walnuts or pecans are optional but add a wonderful textural contrast to the soft bread.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Apple Prep – You can choose to grate the apple for moisture that melts into the bread, or chop it into 1/2-inch cubes for distinct pockets of fruit.
- Nut Free – If you have an allergy or prefer a smoother texture, you can simply omit the nuts.
- Spice Boost – If you love spice, you can increase the cinnamon slightly or add a pinch of ground cloves.
How to Make Easy Apple Bread
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8½x4½-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, allowing excess to hang over the long sides of the pan for easy removal later.
- Prepare the Apple: You can prepare the apple in one of two ways: Grate it, using the largest holes on a cheese grater, or chop the apple into small pieces (about 1/2-inch cubes). Set the apple aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and grated nutmeg.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the beaten eggs and melted butter to the flour mixture. Stir together with a silicone spatula until just a few dry streaks of flour remain. Note: The batter will be very thick; this is normal.
- Fold in Mix-ins: Add the prepared apple (grated or chopped) and the toasted nuts (if using) to the batter. Stir together until evenly combined and all of the flour has been incorporated.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top. Sprinkle with additional granulated sugar, if desired, for a crunchy crust. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove the loaf from the pan using the parchment handles and let it cool for about 30 minutes more. Slice and serve warm.
Pro Tip: Don’t panic when you mix the butter and eggs into the flour. It will look more like a stiff cookie dough than a cake batter. Once you add the apples, they will release moisture as they bake to create the perfect loaf texture.
Recipe Tips
- Room Temperature Eggs: Using room temperature eggs ensures they incorporate smoothly with the melted butter without seizing it up.
- Toasting Nuts: If using walnuts or pecans, toast them in a dry pan for a few minutes before adding them to the batter. This intensifies their flavor and crunch.
- Parchment Sling: Leaving an overhang of parchment paper creates a “sling” that allows you to lift the heavy loaf right out of the pan without it sticking or breaking.
FAQs
- Should I grate or chop the apples? It depends on your preference. Grating the apples makes the bread moister and more uniform, while chopping them gives you nice bites of fruit throughout.
- How do I know when it is done? Quick breads can be tricky. Insert a toothpick into the very center of the loaf. If it comes out with wet batter, it needs more time. Moist crumbs are okay.
- Can I freeze this bread? Yes, this bread freezes very well. Wrap the cooled loaf in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
- Butter: A simple smear of salted butter on a warm slice is heavenly.
- Breakfast: Serve with a side of yogurt and fruit for a balanced breakfast.
- Dessert: Warm a slice and top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Storage: Any leftovers should be tightly wrapped and refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- Flavor: Like many spiced breads, the flavor of this apple bread often improves the next day as the spices have time to meld with the fruit.
Easy Apple Bread
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 Loaf (approx. 10 slices) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Apple Bread is the quintessence of fall baking, packing the comforting flavors of an apple pie into a moist, sliceable loaf. Loaded with fresh apples, warm cinnamon, and nutmeg, it fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma while it bakes. With a tender, buttery crumb and a sweet, crunchy sugar crust, this quick bread is perfect for a cozy breakfast or an afternoon snack with coffee.
Ingredients
- 1 large apple (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and grated or chopped
- 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar (plus extra for sprinkling)
- 1/2 cup (110g) packed light brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
- 2 large eggs, beaten and at room temperature
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup (60g) chopped toasted walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
Prep
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8½x4½-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides to act as handles.
Prepare the Apple
Peel and core the apple. You can either grate it using the large holes of a cheese grater (for moisture) or chop it into ½-inch cubes (for distinct fruit pockets). Set aside.
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
Add Wet Ingredients
Pour the beaten eggs and melted butter into the flour mixture. Stir with a sturdy silicone spatula until just a few dry streaks remain. Note: The batter will be extremely thick, resembling stiff cookie dough. This is normal!
Fold in Mix-ins
Add the prepared apple and the toasted nuts (if using). Stir until the apples are evenly distributed and all the flour is incorporated. The moisture from the apples will eventually loosen the batter slightly as it bakes.
Bake
Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle generously with extra granulated sugar for a crunchy crust. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (moist crumbs are fine, wet batter is not).
Cool
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Use the parchment paper handles to lift the loaf out onto a wire rack. Let it cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
The Batter Texture: Do not add liquid if the batter seems too thick. It is designed to be dense. The apples release juice during baking which steams the bread from the inside, creating a perfectly moist crumb.
Grate vs. Chop: Grating the apple results in a more uniform, moist texture where the fruit melts into the bread. Chopping yields distinct, soft bites of apple. Both methods work perfectly.
Toasting Nuts: If including walnuts or pecans, toast them in a dry pan for 3-5 minutes before adding them. This releases their oils and keeps them crunchy within the soft bread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Breakfast / Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: easy apple bread, apple cinnamon loaf, fall baking recipes, quick bread recipe, moist apple cake, breakfast bread, granny smith recipes
