Quick breads like this one have become seriously popular lately. Recent surveys show that nearly three-quarters of home bakers are whipping up some kind of quick bread during the fall season, and honestly, who can blame them?
Unlike regular bread that takes forever to rise, you can have this apple bread recipe ready in about an hour and a half from start to finish.
Why Some Apple Breads Work and Others Don't
It's all about getting the moisture right. Fresh apples are basically little water balloons, which is great for flavor but can turn your bread into a soggy mess if you're not careful. The trick is picking apples that can handle the heat.
Granny Smith apples are the MVP here because they're tart and they hold their shape. They won't turn into apple mush halfway through baking. Honeycrisp works too if you want things a bit sweeter, and Braeburn apples bring this really nice complex flavor that makes people ask "what's different about this?"
The cinnamon helps the bread stay fresh longer, plus it makes your kitchen smell like fall threw up in the best possible way.
Getting Your Ingredients Right
You want apples that can take the heat. Granny Smith is your safe bet - they're everywhere, they're consistent, and they've got that nice tartness that balances out all the sugar. But if you're feeling adventurous, Honeycrisp brings natural sweetness, and Pink Lady apples have this great crisp texture that survives baking.
Whatever you do, don't use soft apples. They'll just disappear into the batter and you'll be left wondering where all your apple pieces went.
If you're the type who likes to pick their own apples, checking out some apple picking tips might be worth your time.
The Other Stuff
Most of what you need is probably already in your pantry. All-purpose flour is fine - no need to get fancy. Brown sugar is better than white sugar here because it adds moisture and has more flavor. You'll want both baking powder and baking soda because they do different jobs (baking powder gives you lift right away, baking soda reacts with the acidic stuff for extra fluff).
Butter makes everything better, obviously. Some people swap half of it for unsweetened applesauce to make things lighter, and honestly, that works pretty well.
How to Make This Apple Bread Recipe
Heat your oven to 350°F and get a 9x5 inch loaf pan ready with some butter and parchment paper. Don't skip the parchment, it makes getting the bread out so much easier later.
Cut your apples into chunks about the size of your thumbnail. Leave the skin on because it looks nice and adds fiber.
Here's a pro tip: toss those apple pieces with a little flour before you add them to the batter. It keeps them from all sinking to the bottom.
Mixing It Up
Cream the butter and sugar until it's light and fluffy (it takes maybe 3 or 4 minutes with a mixer). This step is important because it makes the final bread lighter. Add your eggs one at a time, then the vanilla.
In another bowl, whisk together all the dry stuff - flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, whatever spices you're using. Then add this to your butter mixture alternating with milk. Start with flour, add some milk, more flour, more milk, end with flour.
Fold in those apples gently. Don't go crazy with the mixing at this point or you'll end up with tough bread.
Making It Last and Serving Ideas
Storage
Keep it at room temperature if you're going to eat it within a few days. Just wrap it up tight so it doesn't dry out.
For longer storage, slice it up and wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap, then freeze them. They keep for months and you can just grab a piece when you want one.
Ways to Eat It
Warm with butter is classic. But try making French toast with day-old apple bread - it's incredible. The apple pieces add these little bursts of sweetness.
Want to go all out? Serve it with homemade apple butter recipe or some apple jam.
Making It Healthier
Replace up to half the flour with whole wheat flour. You'll need to add a bit more liquid, but it adds fiber and makes it more filling. The applesauce for butter swap works well if you want fewer calories. Makes it a little denser but still good.
Maple syrup can replace some of the sugar, but cut back on other liquids if you do this. Honey works too, just use a bit less than the sugar amount.
Get the Best Apples for Your Apple Bread Recipe
Want to take this apple bread recipe to the next level? The secret is starting with amazing apples.
At Champlain Orchards, we grow varieties specifically chosen because they bake beautifully - crisp Granny Smiths that hold their shape, sweet Honeycrisps that add natural sugar, and complex Braeburns that bring depth to every bite.
Our seasonal apple picking experiences let you see exactly where your ingredients come from. The difference in flavor is night and day, and your apple bread will be proof of that.
For More:
- How to Make the Perfect Candy Apple Recipe
- Easy Apple Dip Recipe That'll Disappear
- Easy Apple Jelly Recipe That Works Every Time