This Easy Homemade Apple Bread is a warm, cozy treat perfect for any time of the day. With sweet apples and a hint of cinnamon, it smells just like fall!
Making this bread is a breeze! I love slicing it up and enjoying it with a cup of tea. And hey, if you have leftovers, it makes a fantastic breakfast too! 🍏🍞
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-purpose flour: This is the base of your bread. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, which works well as a substitute.
Apples: Granny Smith apples are my favorite for their tartness that balances the sweetness. You can also use Honeycrisp or Fuji for a sweeter flavor. If you’re out of fresh apples, applesauce works too—just reduce the sugar slightly.
Sour cream or plain yogurt: These add moisture to the bread. You can substitute with buttermilk or even a dairy-free yogurt if you prefer. For a lighter version, try using applesauce instead.
Butter: Unsalted butter is recommended, but you can use coconut oil or vegetable oil for a dairy-free option. Just keep the moisture levels in mind!
How Do I Make Sure My Bread Doesn’t Come Out Dense?
To keep your apple bread light and fluffy, be cautious when mixing the ingredients. Here are some tips:
- Don’t overmix the batter! Stir gently until just combined to keep the bread airy.
- Make sure your baking soda is fresh. It needs to be active to properly leaven the bread.
- Allow your butter to soften but don’t melt it. Softened butter creates more air when mixed with sugar.
- Adding the eggs one at a time ensures they are blended in evenly without overmixing.
These small steps can really make a difference in the final texture of your apple bread!
Easy Homemade Apple Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
- 2 cups peeled, cored, and finely chopped apples (about 2 medium apples; recommend Granny Smith or any tart apple)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe will take about 15 minutes to prep and around 55-65 minutes to bake. After baking, let it cool for 15 minutes in the pan and then on a wire rack before slicing. In total, you’ll need about 1 hour and 30 minutes before you can enjoy this delicious apple bread.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepping the Oven and Pan:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s heating up, grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with butter or line it with parchment paper to make sure your bread doesn’t stick.
2. Mixing the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Mixing these dry ingredients first ensures that the baking soda is evenly distributed throughout the flour.
3. Creaming Butter and Sugar:
Take a large bowl and beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer. It’s important to get as much air into the mixture as possible for a nice rise.
4. Adding Eggs and Vanilla:
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract. This helps ensure that the eggs are well incorporated, making your bread nice and fluffy.
5. Incorporating Sour Cream:
Next, mix in the sour cream or yogurt until everything is combined. This adds moisture to your bread and makes it deliciously tender.
6. Combining Dry and Wet Ingredients:
Gently add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could make your bread dense.
7. Adding the Apples:
Now, fold in the finely chopped apples into the batter. Make sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough so every bite is full of apple goodness!
8. Pouring the Batter:
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top with a spatula. This will help it bake evenly.
9. Baking:
Place your loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes. Keep an eye on it, and when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, it’s ready to come out!
10. Cooling:
Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Afterward, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This helps it finish cooking and makes slicing easier!
11. Enjoy:
Slice your warm apple bread and enjoy with a little butter or your favorite spread. It’s perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert!
Happy baking! 🍏
Can I Use Different Types of Apples?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples are a great choice for their tartness, you can use Honeycrisp, Fuji, or any apple you enjoy. Just keep in mind that sweeter apples may slightly alter the flavor of the bread.
How Should I Store Leftover Apple Bread?
To store leftovers, wrap the cooled apple bread in plastic wrap or foil, and keep it at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just make sure to slice it before freezing for easy thawing!
Can I Add Nuts or Dried Fruit?
Definitely! Chopped walnuts or pecans can add a nice crunch, and dried cranberries or raisins can provide a sweet, chewy texture. Just fold them in with the apples, and adjust the amount of sugar if you want it less sweet.
What Should I Do If My Bread is Too Dense?
If your apple bread turns out dense, it may be due to overmixing the batter or too much flour. Make sure to mix just until combined and spoon the flour into your measuring cup rather than scooping directly from the bag to prevent packing it down!
