With all the flavor of fall, this easy Applesauce Bread is deliciously moist, flavorful, and satisfying. A sweet way to unwind with your favorite cup of tea. Enjoy this loaf plain or take it to the next level with a drizzle of irresistible maple glaze!

Glazed loaf of applesauce bread.

Homemade applesauce bread is one of our favorite quick bread recipes to enjoy this time of year! It’s tender, moist, and oh so cozy. Loaded with fall flavors of applesauce, warm spices, and brown sugar, get ready to fall in LOVE with the flavor and texture of this loaf cake.

Not only is it incredibly delicious, it’s also an easy recipe to make and the batter takes just 10 minutes to come together, ready to pop into the oven. Enjoy it warm and fresh right out of the oven, or save it for another day. The flavor intensifies over time and it tastes even more wonderful. It freezes well, too! Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an after school snack.

Reasons to love this recipe

  • Amazing flavor. The applesauce, warm spices and brown sugar make this treat so comforting and slightly addictive!
  • Quick and easy. The batter comes together in minutes, then all you have to do is bake!
  • Amazing texture. The applesauce and oil give this a tender crumb and make it so soft and moist.
  • Delicious glaze. We love this plain, but the maple-flavored glaze really takes this treat to the next level!
  • Perfect fall treat. Whether you enjoy a slice for breakfast or an afternoon snack, it’s perfect for a crisp fall afternoon.
Woman's hand grabbing a slice of bread from a stack of slices.

Ingredients needed

The simple ingredients in this applesauce bread recipe are all pantry staples and ones you likely already have on hand. That’s what makes this recipe so great! Here’s everything you’ll need:

  • Flour. For a soft, tender texture, we recommend using all-purpose flour, whole wheat pastry flour or white whole wheat flour. To make this gluten free, use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour.
  • Baking staples. Use both baking powder and baking soda in this recipe for proper baking.
  • Spices. Ground cinnamon, nutmeg and ground cloves add warmth and coziness.
  • Applesauce. One of the best-kept secrets in baking. It adds moisture, flavor, fiber, and nutrition to baked goods. Use unsweetened applesauce from the store or make homemade applesauce.
  • Oil. To keep this loaf moist, oil vs butter is best, but you can substitute with melted butter. We typically use vegetable oil or canola oil, but melted coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil will work.
  • Sugar. Both granulated sugar and light brown sugar sweeten the cake and brown sugar provides flavor. We recommend a mix of both sugars because too much brown sugar will weigh down the bread.
  • Salt. Balances flavors and makes everything tastier.
  • Eggs. The eggs give the loaf structure and help with the binding of ingredients.
  • Vanilla extract. For sweet, warm flavor.
  • Glaze. The most delicious, enticing glaze made with confectioners’ sugar, maple syrup and a little milk for consistency.
Ingredients for applesauce bread in small bowls.

How to make this recipe

Since we’re not creaming butter, you don’t need a mixer. Grab a big bowl for your dry ingredients, a medium bowl for your wet ingredients, combine it all and pop it in the oven. Here’s the simple process:

  1. Prep. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Set aside.
  2. Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves together until combined.
Flour and spices added to a white bowl.
Whisking spices with flour.
Flour mixture in a large white bowl.
  1. Combine the wet ingredients. In a medium bowl, stir the applesauce, oil, sugar, and salt together until combined. Mix in the eggs and vanilla.
Adding oil to bowl with sugar and applesauce.
Whisking eggs with vanilla, oil, applesauce and sugar.
Wet ingredients mixed in a white bowl.
  1. Stir wet and dry ingredients together. Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix together. There will be a few lumps. Do not overmix.
  2. Bake. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 60 to 65 minutes and until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.
Stirring wet ingredients with flour mixture.
Applesauce bread batter in a large white bowl.
Bread batter in a loaf pan.
  1. Cool. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 20 minutes. Then invert the bread onto the rack, turn right side up, and let cool completely.
Baked bread in a loaf pan.
Applesauce bread on a wire rack.
  1. Make the glaze. Stir together the powdered sugar, maple syrup and milk. If glaze is too thick, add more milk 1 tsp at a time. If glaze is too thin, add more confectioners’ sugar 1 tsp at a time. Be sure to whisk until smooth after each addition before adding more.
Powdered sugar in a bowl with maple syrup and milk.
Whisking together milk, powdered sugar and maple syrup.
Simple glaze in a white bowl.
  1. Add glaze to bread. Place parchment paper under the wire rack. Drizzle desired amount of icing over the bread and allow 30 minutes or so for it to set. Slice and enjoy!
Drizzling glaze over the top of a loaf of bread.
Icing dripping down the side of bread.
Glazed applesauce bread with three slices on a white platter.

Expert tips

  • Preparing the pan. Be sure to grease your pan really well with oil or a nonstick cooking spray. You can also line it with parchment paper and lightly spray that with nonstick spray.
  • Correctly measure flour. It’s essential to have the correct measurement of flour, so your baked goods don’t end up too dense or heavy. We’ve provided the ingredient measurements in grams, so use can use a cooking scale for the most precise measurements. If you don’t have a scale, lightly spoon the flour (don’t pack) into a measuring cup and without shaking the cup, use the straight side of a butter knife or other straight edge to level off the top.
  • Use fresh baking soda & baking powder. It’s baking season, if your baking soda and/or baking powder is older than 3 months, we suggest grabbing a new one for best results.
  • Don’t overmix the batter. Combine the wet and dry ingredients by gently stirring them together and mix just until moistened. Over-mixing the batter can produce tough baked goods. For more info, read this guide on overmixing.

Frequently asked questions

What does applesauce do in baking?

Applesauce adds moisture and helps to bind dry ingredients together while providing plenty of soluble fiber. Plus, because it has a high water content, it helps baked goods to stay moist and fresh longer.

Can you use sweetened applesauce instead of unsweetened?

We recommend unsweetened, but if you only have sweetened applesauce, it can work. Simply reduce the brown sugar to 1/4 cup instead of 1/3 cup.

Does applesauce replace eggs or oil in baking?

In this specific recipe, we aren’t using it to replace any ingredients. However, it can be used as a healthier substitute to oil or eggs in recipes. Typically, you can replace one egg with 1/4 cup applesauce. For replacing oil or butter, use a one to one ratio (applesauce to oil). However, many bakers say you shouldn’t use more than 1/4 cup of applesauce as a substitute for oil or butter.

Slice of applesauce bread on a white plate with apple slices.

Variations

Here’s some ideas for customizing this recipe to make it your own:

  • Not into glaze? Enjoy a warm slice with a pat of butter or smear of nut butter or apple butter on top. Either way, it’s amazing!
  • Nuts. Fold 1/3 cup chopped pecans or chopped walnuts straight into the batter. And garnish with more chopped nuts.
  • Fruit. Stir about 1/2 cup raisins, dried cranberries or diced apple chunks into the batter before baking.

Storage recommendations

  • Storing leftovers. Wrap any leftover bread in plastic wrap and store on the counter for 3-4 days. Any longer than that and I would refrigerate it, wrapped tightly and placed in an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for about 1 week.
  • Freezing. To freeze, let the bread cool completely. Slice the loaf and then wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap. Place the individually wrapped slices into a large freezer-safe ziplock bag, remove any air, and store in the freezer. Or wrap the whole loaf in aluminum foil and then place in a freezer-safe bag. Bread will keep well in the freezer for up to three months.
Three slices of glazed bread stacked on a plate.

More quick bread recipes

If you try this, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.

Glazed loaf of applesauce bread on a large white serving plate.
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Applesauce Bread

Yield: 12 slices
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
With all the flavor of fall, this easy Applesauce Bread is deliciously moist, flavorful, and satisfying. A sweet way to unwind with your favorite cup of tea. Enjoy this loaf plain or take it to the next level with a drizzle of irresistible maple glaze!
Author: Kim

Ingredients

  • 1 2/3 cups (205g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 cup (115g) unsweetened applesauce
  • 3/4 cup (168g) vegetable oil (extra-virgin olive oil, melted coconut oil or canola oil will work)
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup (65g) light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Glaze

  • 1 1/2 cup (180g) powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons real maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves together until combined.
  • In a medium bowl, stir the applesauce, oil, sugar, and salt together until combined. Mix in the eggs and vanilla.
  • Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix together. There will be a few lumps. Do not overmix.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 60 to 65 minutes and until a tester comes out clean from the center.
  • Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 20 minutes. Then invert the bread onto the rack, turn right side up, and let cool completely.
  • Make the glaze by stirring together the powdered sugar, maple syrup and milk. If glaze is too thick, add more milk 1 tsp at a time. If glaze is too thin, add more confectioners' sugar 1 tsp at a time. Be sure to whisk until smooth after each addition before adding more. Place parchment paper under the wire rack. Drizzle desired amount of glaze over the bread and allow 30 minutes or so for it to set.
  • Cover and store leftover bread at room temperature for up to 3-4 days or in the refrigerator for up to about 1 week.

Notes

  • Storing leftovers: Wrap any leftover bread in plastic wrap and store on the counter for 3-4 days. Any longer than that and I would refrigerate it, wrapped tightly and placed in an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for about 1 week.
  • Freezing: To freeze, let the bread cool completely. Slice the loaf and then wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap. Place the individually wrapped slices into a large freezer-safe ziplock bag, remove any air, and store in the freezer. Or wrap the whole loaf in aluminum foil and then place in a freezer-safe bag. Bread will keep well in the freezer for up to three months.
photos by jess at jess gaertner creative
Author: Kim
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Serving: 1slice, Calories: 373kcal, Carbohydrates: 56g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 47mg, Sodium: 315mg, Potassium: 75mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 41g, Vitamin A: 80IU, Vitamin C: 0.2mg, Calcium: 59mg, Iron: 1mg

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