Description
This Apple Pie Bread recipe combines the warm flavors of cinnamon-spiced apples with a moist and tender bread batter, creating a delicious and comforting treat perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a snack. The bread is loaded with tender diced apples cooked with brown sugar and spices, folded into a soft, flavorful batter and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Apple Mixture
- 2 cups diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt (a pinch)
Bread Batter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp apple pie spice
Instructions
- Prep Apples: Peel and dice the apples into small, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and distribution in the bread.
- Cook Apples: In a saucepan, combine the diced apples with the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium heat until the apples are tender and the mixture is syrupy. Remove from heat and let the apple mixture cool completely.
- Cream Mix: In a large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with the granulated sugar and additional brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which will help create a tender crumb in the bread.
- Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Mix Batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground nutmeg, apple pie spice, and salt. Gradually alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until the batter is smooth and well combined without overmixing.
- Fold Apples: Gently fold in the cooled apple mixture into the batter, ensuring even distribution without breaking up the apple pieces excessively.
- Fill Pan: Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan, smoothing out the top for even baking.
- Bake Bread: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 55 minutes, or until the bread turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool Bread: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps maintain the bread’s texture and prevents sogginess.
- Slice Bread: Only slice the bread when it is fully cooled to ensure clean cuts and the best texture when serving.
Notes
- You can substitute apples with other firm fruits, but the cooking time for the apple mixture may need adjustment.
- Make sure the apple mixture is fully cooled before folding into the batter to prevent the batter from melting or separating.
- For extra texture, consider adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the batter.
- Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- This bread freezes well; wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing, then thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
