Description

This delicious Applesauce Bread is a moist, tender quick bread flavored with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Sweetened with applesauce and a blend of granulated and brown sugar, it makes a perfect snack or breakfast treat. The addition of orange zest adds a subtle citrus brightness, and a sprinkle of coarse sugar on top gives a lovely crunch. Easy to prepare and bake, this bread slices beautifully for sharing or storing.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon allspice

Wet Ingredients

2 large eggs
1⅓ cups applesauce
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup light brown sugar
¼ cup butter, melted
2 teaspoons orange zest

Topping (Optional)

Coarse sugar

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice until evenly combined.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs lightly, then add the applesauce, granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, and orange zest. Mix well until the mixture is smooth and integrated.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold them together using a spatula or wooden spoon. Mix just until combined; avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
Prepare for Baking: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Optionally, sprinkle coarse sugar evenly over the top for a sweet, crunchy crust.
Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The bread should be golden brown and spring back slightly when touched.
Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Serve: Slice into 12 equal pieces and serve on its own or with butter or jam as desired. Enjoy your moist, flavorful applesauce bread!

Notes

Using unsweetened applesauce will control the sweetness level; adjust sugar accordingly if using sweetened applesauce.
Make sure not to overmix the batter to avoid tough bread texture.
You can substitute butter with an equal amount of oil for a dairy-free option.
The coarse sugar topping is optional but adds a lovely crunch and sweet finish.
Store leftover bread wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.