Introduction

Oh, the smell of freshly baked bread! Does anything say “comfort” quite like it? This Applesauce Bread recipe is one of those magical creations that instantly transports me back to cozy kitchens and happy memories. It’s so incredibly easy to whip up, making it perfect for a busy weeknight craving or a spontaneous weekend baking project. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this delicious loaf comes together, filling your home with the warmest, most inviting aromas.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Seriously, from mixing bowl to oven in under 15 minutes!
Easy: No fancy techniques or special equipment needed.
Giftable: Wrap it up in a nice ribbon, and you have a homemade gift that’s made with love.
Crowd-pleasing: The subtle sweetness of applesauce and warm spices are a hit with everyone.

Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to baking bliss. Here’s what you’ll need:

1½ cups all-purpose flour: The sturdy base of our delicious loaf.
1 cup unsweetened applesauce: This is our secret ingredient for moisture and a touch of natural sweetness.
¾ cup granulated sugar: Just enough to sweeten things up without being overpowering.
½ cup vegetable oil: Keeps our bread wonderfully moist.
2 large eggs: To bind everything together and add richness.
1 teaspoon baking soda: Our leavening agent for a nice rise.
½ teaspoon baking powder: A little extra boost for that perfect texture.
½ teaspoon salt: Balances all the sweet flavors.
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: The quintessential warm spice for fall vibes.
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg: Adds a lovely depth of flavor.
¼ teaspoon ground cloves: Just a pinch for that extra cozy kick!
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors beautifully.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get baking! This is where the magic happens.

Get Ready: First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s warming up, grab a 9×5 inch loaf pan and give it a good grease and flour. This ensures your beautiful bread slides out perfectly!
Dry Ingredients Party: In a nice, large bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and all those lovely spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Give them a good mix so everything is evenly distributed.
Wet Ingredients Unite: In a separate bowl, it’s time for the wet ingredients. Whisk together the unsweetened applesauce, vegetable oil, large eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until it’s all smooth and well combined.
The Big Mix: Now, pour those wonderful wet ingredients into the bowl with your dry ingredients. Mix them together gently, just until everything is just combined. A few little streaks of flour are okay – trust me, overmixing is the enemy of a tender loaf!
Pan It Up: Pour your lovely batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spread it out evenly with your spatula so it bakes up nice and even.
Bake Time: Pop that pan into your preheated oven and let it bake for about 50-60 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool Down: This is the hardest part – waiting! Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Patience is a virtue, especially when delicious bread is involved!

Substitutions & Additions

Want to put your own spin on this recipe? I love that about you! Here are a few ideas:

Nuts and Raisins: Fold in about ½ cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or raisins into the batter with the wet ingredients for extra texture and flavor.
Spice it Up: If you’re a big fan of warm spices, feel free to add a pinch more cinnamon or a dash of ginger.
Glaze It: Once cooled, a simple powdered sugar glaze (powdered sugar mixed with a tablespoon or two of milk or lemon juice) is divine!
Flour Swap: You can try substituting half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier loaf.

Tips for Success

A few little secrets to guarantee a perfect loaf every time:

Don’t Overmix: I can’t stress this enough! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a tough bread. Mix until just combined.
Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon your flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge. Don’t scoop directly from the bag, as this can pack too much flour in.
Oven Variations: Ovens can be a bit quirky! Keep an eye on your bread during the last 10 minutes of baking. If it’s browning too quickly, you can loosely tent it with foil.
Prep Ahead: You can absolutely grease and flour your loaf pan the night before if you want to save a few minutes in the morning!

How to Store It

Once your beautiful Applesauce Bread has completely cooled, you can store it at room temperature in an airtight container or bread bag for up to 3-4 days. If you live in a warm climate, or if it’s a particularly humid time, you might want to store it in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage. It also freezes beautifully! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil, and it will keep for up to 3 months. Just thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy a slice!

FAQs

Got questions? I’ve got answers!

Q: Can I use sweetened applesauce instead of unsweetened?

A: Yes, you can, but you might want to reduce the granulated sugar slightly (by about 2-3 tablespoons) to avoid making the bread too sweet.

Q: My bread sank in the middle. What did I do wrong?

A: This can happen from overmixing, too much leavening, or opening the oven door too early while it’s still setting. Try to be gentle with the batter and avoid peeking too much!

Q: Can I make muffins with this recipe?

A: Absolutely! Pour the batter into greased or lined muffin tins, filling them about two-thirds full. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Applesauce Bread

This Applesauce Bread recipe is incredibly easy to whip up, making it perfect for a busy weeknight craving or a spontaneous weekend baking project. You'll be amazed at how quickly this delicious loaf comes together, filling your home with the warmest, most inviting aromas.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 55

Servings 12 slices

Equipment

Loaf pan 9x5 inch
Large bowl
Separate bowl
Whisk
Spatula
Wooden skewer or toothpick
Wire rack

Ingredients

Main ingredients

1.5 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
0.75 cup granulated sugar
0.5 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
0.5 teaspoon baking powder
0.5 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
0.25 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
In a separate bowl, whisk together applesauce, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly.
Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For extra texture and flavor, fold in ½ cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or raisins into the batter. A simple powdered sugar glaze is a delicious addition once cooled. For a heartier loaf, substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.