Moist and flavorful Apple Bread made with fresh apples, warm cinnamon, and a soft crumb. An easy quick bread recipe perfect for fall breakfasts, snacks, or dessert.
Apple Bread is the ultimate fall baking treat. Sweet, juicy apples are folded into a soft, flavorful loaf that’s lightly spiced with cinnamon and perfect for enjoying any time of day.
Serve it warm with a pat of butter, pair it with your morning coffee, or wrap it up as a thoughtful homemade gift for friends and family. We love to make this along with 51 Easy Apple Desserts.
What's in this post: Apple Bread
Why We Love This
- Warm and cozy flavors – Sweet apples and cinnamon give this bread a comforting, homemade taste.
- Moist and tender texture – Every slice is soft and flavorful without being overly dense.
- Versatile treat – Enjoy it for breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or even as a simple dessert.
- Easy to make – Simple pantry ingredients come together quickly for a no-fuss loaf.
- Perfect for sharing – Makes a thoughtful gift or a crowd-pleasing addition to gatherings.
Variations
- Spiced Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg, cloves, or allspice along with the cinnamon for extra warmth.
- Nutty Twist: Swap walnuts for pecans or add a mix of both for different textures and flavors.
- Raisin or Cranberry: Stir in dried raisins or cranberries for bursts of sweetness and tartness.
- Caramel Swirl: Drizzle Homemade Caramel Sauce over the batter before baking for a gooey, decadent touch.
- Apple Mix: Combine tart and sweet apples for a more complex flavor profile.
- Chocolate Chip: Add a handful of chocolate chips for a sweet, melty surprise in each slice.
Ingredients
- Apple – Peeled and cored, Granny Smith apple is a great choice for its tart flavor.
- All-purpose flour – Provides structure and softness to the bread.
- Granulated sugar – Adds sweetness, with extra for sprinkling on top if desired.
- Light brown sugar – Brings a rich, caramel-like flavor and extra moisture.
- Ground cinnamon – Adds a warm, cozy spice that pairs perfectly with apples.
- Baking soda – Helps the bread rise and stay light.
- Baking powder – Gives extra lift and fluffiness.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Eggs – Bind the ingredients together and create a tender texture.
- Unsalted butter – Adds richness and keeps the bread moist.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) – Provide crunch and a nutty depth of flavor.
Variations
- Spiced Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg, cloves, or allspice along with the cinnamon for extra warmth.
- Nutty Twist: Swap walnuts for pecans or add a mix of both for different textures and flavors.
- Raisin or Cranberry: Stir in dried raisins or cranberries for bursts of sweetness and tartness.
- Caramel Swirl: Drizzle Homemade Caramel Sauce over the batter before baking for a gooey, decadent touch.
- Apple Mix: Combine tart and sweet apples for a more complex flavor profile. I like to add in honeycrisp, braeburn or pink lady.
- Chocolate Chip: Add a handful of chocolate chips for a sweet, melty surprise in each slice.
Step By Step Instructions
- Step 1. Go ahead and preheat the oven to 350°F. Then prepare the loaf pan by sparing with cooking spray.
Step 2. Peel and core the apple, then either grate it on the large holes of a box grater or finely chop it into small pieces. I prefer grating, but either method works. Set aside.
Step 3. Get out a mixing bowl for the dry ingredients. Whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Step 4. Next, stir in the beaten eggs and melted butter until a thick batter forms. Be careful not to over mix the wet ingredients.
Step 5. Fold in the grated or chopped apple and the chopped nuts (if using). Stir the mixture with a spoon until just combined.
Step 6. Spread the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Finally, sprinkle a little granulated sugar over the top if desired for added crunch.
Step 7. Allow the bread to bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean in a preheated oven. Then let the bread cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes and remove from the pan. Let it cool for an additional 30 minutes before slicing.
Storage
Room Temperature: Store the bread in an airtight container or wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
Refrigerator: Keep the bread covered in the fridge for up to 1 week. Allow slices to come to room temperature or warm slightly before serving for the best flavor.
Freezer: Wrap the bread (or individual slices) tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm in the oven before enjoying.
Pro Tips
- Choose the right apple: Tart apples like Granny Smith hold their shape and add a bright flavor.
- Don’t overmix the batter: Mix just until the ingredients are combined to keep the bread tender.
- Grate for texture: Grating the apple creates a softer, more uniform texture, while chopping adds little bursts of apple in each bite.
- Add nuts for crunch: Walnuts or pecans are optional but provide extra texture and flavor.
- Check doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool completely before slicing: This helps the bread set and makes clean slices.
More Delicious Apple Recipes
- Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe
- Apple Fritters Recipe
- Apple Crisp Recipe
- Easy Fried Apple Pies Recipe
- Deep Fried Apples
I can’t wait for you to try this Apple Bread Recipe. Please come back and leave a comment and star rating once you do.
Apple Bread
Ingredients
- 1 large apple peeled and cored (Granny Smith recommended)
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar plus extra for topping, optional
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs beaten
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and set aside.
- Peel and core the apple. Either grate it using the largest holes of a box grater or finely chop it into small pieces. I used a grater. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir in the beaten eggs and melted butter until a thick batter forms. Do not over mix.
- Add the grated or chopped apple and the chopped nuts (if using). Stir until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle a little granulated sugar over the top if desired for added crunch.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Then remove it from the pan and allow it to cool for an additional 30 minutes before slicing.
