There's something incredibly comforting about the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through your home, especially when it's infused with warm, inviting spices and the natural sweetness of apples. This Easy Spiced Applesauce Bread recipe is exactly that – a simple, delightful treat that brings coziness to any day. Whether you're looking for a perfect breakfast companion, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a thoughtful homemade gift, this moist and flavorful quick bread is sure to become a cherished favorite.
Why This Easy Spiced Applesauce Bread is a Must-Bake
Forget complicated baking projects! This applesauce bread is designed for simplicity without sacrificing an ounce of flavor. It comes together quickly with basic pantry staples, making it ideal for busy weeknights or spontaneous baking urges. The star of the show, unsweetened applesauce, not only imparts a lovely apple flavor but also keeps the bread incredibly moist, eliminating the need for excessive oil or butter.
The Magic of Applesauce in Baking
Applesauce is a secret weapon in many baking recipes, and for good reason! It adds natural sweetness, a subtle fruity note, and, most importantly, keeps baked goods wonderfully tender and moist. Using unsweetened applesauce allows you to control the sugar content, ensuring the bread is perfectly balanced. For more interesting facts about this versatile fruit puree, you can read up on applesauce on Wikipedia.
Perfectly Spiced for Any Occasion
The blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in this recipe creates that classic, irresistible spiced flavor profile that makes you think of crisp autumn days and cozy evenings. These warm spices complement the apple beautifully, elevating a simple quick bread into something truly special. It's not just for fall, though – this bread is a fantastic treat to enjoy year-round!
Tips for the Best Applesauce Bread
- Don't Overmix: Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing can develop the gluten too much, leading to a tougher bread.
- Grease Your Pan Well: Ensure your loaf pan is thoroughly greased (or lined with parchment paper) to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Test for Doneness: A toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf should come out clean, without any wet batter. If it's still wet, bake for a few more minutes.
- Cool Completely: While it's tempting to slice into a warm loaf, letting the bread cool completely on a wire rack allows it to set properly and makes for cleaner slices.
Serving Suggestions
This Easy Spiced Applesauce Bread is delicious on its own, but you can certainly enhance the experience. Serve it warm with a pat of butter, a dollop of cream cheese, or a drizzle of honey. It pairs wonderfully with your morning coffee or tea, or as a delightful dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a special touch, dust with powdered sugar before serving.
So, whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting, this Easy Spiced Applesauce Bread recipe is a foolproof way to bring homemade goodness into your life. Enjoy the process and savor every delicious bite!
FAQs
Can I use homemade applesauce for this recipe?
Yes, absolutely! Homemade unsweetened applesauce works wonderfully and can even add more depth of apple flavor to your bread. Just ensure it's a smooth consistency before incorporating it into the batter.
What if I don't have all the spices listed?
While the combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves creates a classic spiced flavor, you can certainly adapt. Cinnamon is key, but if you're missing nutmeg or cloves, you can use a bit more cinnamon or a pinch of allspice. The bread will still be delicious!
How should I store applesauce bread?
Store your Easy Spiced Applesauce Bread at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days to maintain its moisture and freshness. For longer storage, you can freeze individual slices for up to 3 months, thawing them as needed.
Can I add mix-ins to the batter?
Yes, absolutely! Get creative with your additions. Chopped walnuts, pecans, raisins, or even mini chocolate chips would be delicious. Fold about u00bd cup of your chosen mix-in into the batter in Step 4 before pouring it into the pan.
Easy Spiced Applesauce Bread
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (10-12 slices) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightfully moist and flavorful quick bread, perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, packed with the comforting taste of applesauce and warm spices.
Ingredients
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
¾ cup sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp cloves
1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until well combined.
Step 3: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, unsweetened applesauce, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 5: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
Step 6: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
For an extra touch, sprinkle some chopped walnuts, pecans, or even a few raisins into the batter before baking. A light dusting of powdered sugar makes for a beautiful presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Quick Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
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