There’s a certain magic that happens when you bake a loaf of quick bread. The house fills with the warm, comforting scent of spices, and you know that in about an hour, you’ll be pulling a little slice of heaven from the oven. While banana bread often gets all the glory, I have a secret weapon in my baking arsenal that’s just as easy and, dare I say, even more comforting: Applesauce Bread.

This isn’t just a bread; it’s a feeling. It’s the embodiment of autumn, a cozy sweater in food form. Using applesauce is a brilliant baking hack that yields an incredibly moist, tender crumb every single time. Paired with a perfect blend of warm spices, this bread is subtly sweet, wonderfully fragrant, and an absolute delight to eat. It’s the simple, no-fuss recipe you’ll turn to again and again, whether you need an easy breakfast, a delightful snack with your afternoon coffee, or a simple dessert.

Why I Love This Recipe

• Unbelievably Moist: The applesauce is the star ingredient, providing natural sweetness and a level of moisture that’s hard to beat. This bread stays tender and delicious for days.
• So Simple to Make: This is a true “quick bread.” You don’t need a mixer, just a couple of bowls and a whisk. The batter comes together in about 10 minutes, and the oven does the rest of the work.
• A House That Smells Like Heaven: The combination of apple, cinnamon, and nutmeg baking away is one of the best smells on earth. It’s worth making for the aroma alone!
• Wonderfully Versatile: This recipe is a fantastic base. You can keep it classic and simple or dress it up with all sorts of delicious add-ins. I’ll share some of my favorites below.

Ingredients

The beauty of this bread is that it uses simple pantry staples you likely already have on hand.

• All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups of all-purpose flour gives the bread its structure.
• Applesauce: 1 ½ cups of unsweetened applesauce. Using unsweetened gives you control over the sweetness of the bread. You can use smooth or chunky.
• Sugar: We’ll use a mix for the best flavor and moisture:
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• Fat: ½ cup of vegetable oil or melted and cooled unsalted butter. Oil tends to make it a bit more moist, while butter adds a richer flavor.
• Eggs: 2 large eggs, at room temperature, to bind everything together.
• Leavening: 1 teaspoon of baking soda and ½ teaspoon of baking powder to give the bread a beautiful lift.
• Spices: The heart of the bread’s flavor:
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
• Vanilla & Salt: 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and ½ teaspoon of salt to enhance all the other flavors.

Swaps and Notes

• Applesauce: If you only have sweetened applesauce, consider reducing the granulated sugar by about ¼ cup to avoid an overly sweet loaf.
• Spices: Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking. A pinch of ground cloves or cardamom would also be delicious. You can also use 2 teaspoons of a pre-mixed apple pie spice blend.
• Flour: For a heartier texture, you can substitute up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
• Add-Ins (The Fun Part!): This is where you can get creative! Fold in about 1 cup of any of the following into the batter before baking:
  • Chopped walnuts or pecans
  • Raisins or dried cranberries
  • Chocolate chips (semi-sweet or cinnamon chips are amazing)
  • A simple streusel topping made from flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cold butter.

How to Make Applesauce Bread: Step-by-Step

1. Prep Your Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan. This two-step prep ensures your bread will slide right out.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt. Set it aside.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the applesauce, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil (or melted butter), eggs, and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and well combined.
4. Mix It All Together: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Use a rubber spatula to fold them together gently, mixing only until you no longer see streaks of flour. It’s very important not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough, dense bread.
5. Add Your Mix-Ins: If you’re using nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips, gently fold them in now.
6. Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes. The bread is done when it’s golden brown and a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
7. Cool Completely: Let the bread cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 15 minutes. Then, carefully run a knife around the edges and invert the loaf onto the wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Patience is key here—slicing while it’s too warm can cause it to crumble.

Tips for Success

• Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Scooping directly from the bag can pack the flour and result in a dry bread.
• Don’t Overmix: I’ll say it again because it’s the golden rule of quick breads! A few lumps in the batter are perfectly fine.
• Check for Doneness: Ovens can vary. Start checking your bread around the 50-minute mark. If the top is browning too quickly but the inside isn’t done, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil for the remainder of the baking time.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

This applesauce bread is absolutely divine on its own, but a warm slice slathered with salted butter is pure bliss. It’s also wonderful with a drizzle of honey, a schmear of cream cheese, or even apple butter to double down on that fall flavor. Enjoy it with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk.

Storage and Leftover Tips

This bread stores beautifully. Once it has cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh and moist at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it. Wrap the entire loaf (or individual slices) in plastic wrap, then a layer of foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.

More Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoy the simple comfort of a good quick bread or a cozy baked treat, you’ll adore these other recipes from our kitchen:

• Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: The ultimate way to use up those spotty bananas.
• Easy Pumpkin Spice Muffins: All the flavor of fall packed into a perfect muffin.
• The Best Peanut Butter Brownies: A truly decadent and unforgettable dessert.
• Caramel Apple Pie Cookies: All the goodness of apple pie in a bite-sized cookie.
• Big Family Banana Pudding: A classic dessert that’s perfect for feeding a crowd.

Final Thoughts

This Applesauce Bread is a testament to the fact that the most delicious recipes are often the simplest. It’s a humble, honest loaf that delivers big on flavor and comfort. I truly hope it becomes a staple in your home, just as it is in mine.

When you bake it, I’d love to hear how it went! Did you add any fun mix-ins? Leave a comment below and share your creations. And don’t forget to follow me on social media for more easy, satisfying recipes. Happy baking!