Description

This Cinnamon Applesauce Bread recipe delivers a moist, flavorful quick bread that balances sweetness and spice beautifully. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, this easy-to-follow recipe uses simple pantry staples and applesauce to create a tender crumb and a warm cinnamon aroma that fills your kitchen.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (preferably Saigon cinnamon)
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated if possible)

Wet Ingredients

½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Add-ins

½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
½ cup raisins or dried cranberries
¼ teaspoon ground cloves for extra warmth

Instructions

Prep your space: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line the bottom with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bread after baking.
Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
Create the base: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes using an electric mixer, to create air pockets for a good rise.
Add the eggs: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the butter-sugar mixture, ensuring each egg is fully mixed before adding the next. It’s normal if the mixture looks slightly curdled at this point.
Mix in the applesauce: Stir in the unsweetened applesauce and vanilla extract. The mixture may appear somewhat separated, but that is expected.
Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent a tough, dense bread.
Add extras (optional): Fold in any optional add-ins such as nuts, dried fruits, or ground cloves with just a few strokes to keep the batter light.
Bake to perfection: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
The crucial cooling period: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it to a wire rack to cool completely. This step helps the texture to set perfectly before slicing.

Notes

If the bread is too dry, try reducing the baking time by 5 minutes or add 2 extra tablespoons of applesauce next time.
If the bread is gummy in the middle, your oven temperature might be inaccurate; try increasing it by 25°F or bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, covering the top loosely with foil to prevent over-browning.
Ensure your baking soda and baking powder are fresh, as stale leavening agents can prevent the bread from rising properly.
Store at room temperature wrapped in plastic wrap or airtight container for up to 3 days, refrigerate for up to 1 week, or freeze sliced halves individually wrapped for longer storage.
To enhance flavor, try serving toasted with cream cheese, or warm with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
Category: Quick Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: cinnamon applesauce bread, moist applesauce bread, quick bread recipe, fall baking, easy homemade bread, cinnamon bread, applesauce baking