Cinnamon Applesauce Bread

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There’s something magical about the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through your kitchen, especially when it’s this incredibly moist and flavorful Cinnamon Applesauce Bread. This recipe combines the natural sweetness of applesauce with warm spices to create a loaf that’s perfect for breakfast, afternoon tea, or an anytime treat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Cinnamon Applesauce Bread is a game-changer for home bakers who want maximum flavor with minimal effort. The applesauce keeps the bread incredibly moist while reducing the need for excessive butter or oil, making it a lighter option without sacrificing taste. The blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice creates a warm, comforting flavor profile that screams cozy autumn mornings.

What makes this recipe truly special is its foolproof nature – even beginner bakers will achieve perfect results every time. The ingredients are pantry staples you likely already have on hand, and the mixing method is so simple that you can have this bread in the oven in under 15 minutes. Plus, it stays fresh for days and actually improves in flavor as it sits, making it perfect for meal prep or gift-giving.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 1 ¼ cup applesauce (unsweetened preferred, but any kind works)
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

How to Make Cinnamon Applesauce Bread

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Kitchen Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray, then lightly dust with flour. This ensures your Cinnamon Applesauce Bread will release easily from the pan once baked.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients In a large mixing bowl, combine the applesauce, sugar, and vegetable oil. Whisk until well blended and smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Finally, stir in the milk until the mixture is completely combined.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and spices throughout your Cinnamon Applesauce Bread.

Step 4: Create the Batter Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix – a few lumps are perfectly fine. Overmixing can result in a tough, dense bread.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.

Step 6: Cool and Serve Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the bread from breaking apart while still warm.

Helpful Tips

Choose the Right Applesauce: While any applesauce works, unsweetened varieties give you better control over the sweetness level. If using sweetened applesauce, consider reducing the sugar by 2-3 tablespoons.

Don’t Skip the Spice Blend: The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice is what makes this Cinnamon Applesauce Bread so aromatic and flavorful. If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, substitute with additional cinnamon and a pinch of ground cloves.

Test for Doneness: Every oven is different, so start checking your bread at the 50-minute mark. The top should be golden brown and spring back lightly when touched.

Room Temperature Ingredients: For the best texture, ensure your eggs and milk are at room temperature before mixing. This helps create a smoother batter and more even baking.

Details

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 50-60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Difficulty: Easy

This Cinnamon Applesauce Bread recipe yields one standard 9×5-inch loaf that serves approximately 12 people. The bread has a tender, moist crumb with a subtle sweetness that’s enhanced by the warm spice blend. It’s not overly sweet, making it versatile enough to enjoy plain or with butter, cream cheese, or your favorite jam.

Notes

Substitutions: You can replace the vegetable oil with melted butter for a richer flavor, or use coconut oil for a subtle tropical note. Greek yogurt can substitute for half the applesauce if you prefer a tangier taste.

Add-ins: Consider folding in ½ cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or even mini chocolate chips for extra texture and flavor. Dried cranberries or raisins also make excellent additions.

Make it Healthier: Substitute up to half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber. You can also reduce the sugar to ½ cup if you prefer a less sweet bread.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make this Cinnamon Applesauce Bread ahead of time? A: Absolutely! This bread actually improves in flavor after sitting for a day. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Q: Can I freeze Cinnamon Applesauce Bread? A: Yes, this bread freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Wrap individual slices or the whole loaf in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil before freezing.

Q: Why is my bread dense? A: Dense bread usually results from overmixing the batter or using too much flour. Mix just until the ingredients are combined, and measure flour by spooning it into the cup and leveling off.

Q: Can I make muffins instead? A: Definitely! Divide the batter among 12 muffin cups and bake at 350°F for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Q: What if I don’t have pumpkin pie spice? A: You can make your own by mixing ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg, and a pinch each of ground ginger and cloves.

Storage Instructions

Store your Cinnamon Applesauce Bread at room temperature for optimal freshness. Wrap the completely cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The bread will stay moist and flavorful throughout this time.

For longer storage, refrigerate the wrapped bread for up to one week. The cool temperature may firm up the texture slightly, but the bread will still taste delicious. To restore the soft texture, warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

For freezing, wrap the bread (whole or sliced) in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, or place in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen Cinnamon Applesauce Bread keeps for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or toast frozen slices directly from the freezer.

Related Recipes

If you loved this Cinnamon Applesauce Bread, you’ll want to try these other delicious baked goods from our collection:

Conclusion

This Cinnamon Applesauce Bread recipe proves that the best comfort foods are often the simplest ones. With its tender crumb, warm spices, and natural sweetness from applesauce, it’s a bread that brings people together around the kitchen table. Whether you’re enjoying a slice with your morning coffee, packing it in a lunchbox, or sharing it with neighbors, this bread delivers consistent, delicious results every single time.

The beauty of this recipe lies not just in its incredible taste, but in its reliability and versatility. It’s forgiving enough for novice bakers yet satisfying enough for experienced home cooks. Plus, with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, you can whip up this Cinnamon Applesauce Bread whenever the craving strikes.

So preheat that oven, gather your ingredients, and get ready to fill your home with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked Cinnamon Applesauce Bread. Your family and friends will thank you, and you’ll have a go-to recipe that never fails to impress.

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