Apple Bread is a warm, sweet treat packed with the goodness of fresh apples and a hint of cinnamon. It’s moist and fluffy, perfect for breakfast or a snack!
Who doesn’t love the smell of apples and spices wafting through the kitchen? I usually enjoy a slice with my morning coffee; it’s a cozy way to start the day! ☕️
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Apples: Use a mix of sweet and tart apples like Granny Smith and Fuji for balance. If you can’t find fresh apples, try using unsweetened applesauce—a half-cup can replace one medium apple!
Butter: I use unsalted butter for better control over the salt level. If you need a dairy-free option, try coconut oil or vegan butter in the same amount.
Sour Cream/Yogurt: This adds richness and moisture. If you’re dairy-free, use almond milk yogurt or a vegan sour cream substitute. Greek yogurt is a great option too!
Flour: All-purpose flour works well, but you can swap half for whole wheat flour for a heartier loaf. Just be mindful that it may change the texture a bit.
How Do You Get the Best Crumb Topping?
The crumb topping adds a lovely crunch! To make it just right, ensure your butter is cold. It helps create that perfect crumbly texture!
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
- Add in cold cubed butter and mix this with your fingers or a pastry cutter until it looks like small crumbs.
- Sprinkle it generously over the top of the batter before baking!
Keep an eye on it while baking; if it browns too quickly, you can tent it with foil. This topping creates a delightful contrast to the soft apple bread underneath!
How to Make Delicious Apple Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Bread:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups peeled, cored, and chopped apples (about 2 medium apples)
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
For the Crumb Topping:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
How Much Time Will You Need?
This scrumptious apple bread will take about 15 minutes to prep and about 55-65 minutes to bake. It’s best to cool it for around 15 minutes in the pan before slicing. In total, you’ll spend about 1 hour and 30 minutes until you have this delightful treat to enjoy!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan to make sure your bread comes out easily after baking!
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until all ingredients are well combined. Set this bowl aside—you’re going to use it shortly!
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer. Mix until the mixture is light and fluffy; this usually takes about 2-3 minutes. You want it to look pale and creamy!
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Add the eggs to the mixture, one at a time, making sure to beat well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract until evenly mixed in.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Now, it’s time to add the dry ingredients and sour cream to the butter mixture! Alternate between adding the dry ingredients and the sour cream, starting and ending with the dry mix. Gently fold the mixture just until combined to avoid overmixing.
6. Fold in the Apples:
With a spatula, carefully fold the chopped apples into the batter. You want to coat them well without overworking the dough!
7. Prepare for Baking:
Pour the apple batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it out evenly to make sure it cooks uniformly.
8. Make the Crumb Topping:
In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon for the crumb topping. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut in the cubed cold butter until it looks like coarse crumbs. This will create a lovely crunchy topping!
9. Add the Crumb Topping:
Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the batter in the loaf pan. This will add a delicious crunch on top of your apple bread.
10. Bake the Bread:
Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center—if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it’s done!
11. Cool and Slice:
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
12. Serve and Enjoy:
Once cooled, slice your delicious apple bread and serve. It’s wonderful on its own or with a spread of butter!
Enjoy every bite of this moist, cinnamon-spiced apple bread, perfect for any occasion or just for yourself!
Can I Use Different Types of Apples?
Absolutely! A mix of sweet and tart apples like Granny Smith and Fuji works best for balance. If you have a favorite apple, go ahead and use that—it’ll still be delicious!
How Do I Store Leftover Apple Bread?
Store any leftovers wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 3 months—just be sure to slice it first for easy thawing later!
Can I Make This Recipe Gluten-Free?
Yes! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose baking blend. Make sure it contains xanthan gum, which helps mimic the texture of gluten. Otherwise, you can add it separately according to your blend’s instructions!
What Should I Do If the Bread Is Browning Too Fast?
If the top of your apple bread is browning too quickly, you can tent it with aluminum foil. This will prevent further browning while allowing the inside to bake thoroughly. Just remove the foil in the last 10-15 minutes for that nice golden crust!
