Homemade Apple Bread: A Cozy Fall Treat (Print Version)

Whip up the best Homemade Apple Bread! This warm, spiced loaf is pure comfort, perfect for fall mornings. My easy recipe is packed with apples and cozy flavors.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 55 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 70 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
02 - 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
03 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 - ½ teaspoon baking powder
05 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ Flavor Boosters

06 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
07 - ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Wet Ingredients & Apples

09 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
10 - ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
11 - ½ cup (120ml) milk (whole milk recommended)
12 - 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp preferred)

→ Optional Topping

13 - 1 tablespoon coarse sugar (for sprinkling)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get those apples ready! Peel, core, and dice about two medium apples. I like to keep the pieces fairly chunky, about half an inch, so you really get a bite of apple in every slice of your future loaf. While you're doing that, grab a big bowl and whisk together your flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Honestly, I always make a little flour cloud when I do this, but hey, that's part of the fun, right? Make sure everything’s well combined; we don't want any pockets of just flour or just spice.
02 - In another bowl, whisk together your wet ingredients: the eggs, vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract. Give it a good, vigorous whisk until it’s all nice and smooth. Now, here's where the magic starts to happen! Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Don't overmix, though! I’ve been guilty of that – you want to mix just until the flour streaks disappear. Overmixing develops the gluten too much, and we want a tender, not tough, quick bread. A few lumps are totally okay, even encouraged!
03 - This is where your stars, the diced apples, come into play! Gently fold them into the batter. I use a spatula for this, just coaxing them in so they're evenly distributed throughout the mixture. This step always smells so good, with the cinnamon and apples already mingling. I once dumped them in too fast and half of them sunk to the bottom, oops! So, take your time, be gentle, and ensure every slice of your future apple bread will have delightful apple bits.
04 - Pour your beautiful batter into a greased and floured 9x5-inch loaf pan. I usually give the pan a little tap on the counter to settle the batter and release any big air bubbles. Pop it into your preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Now, the hard part: waiting! Bake for about 50-60 minutes. My oven runs a little hot, so I usually start checking around 45 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean, maybe with a few moist crumbs clinging to it, that’s perfect for this cozy bake.
05 - Once it's golden brown and smells absolutely divine, take your apple bread out of the oven. Don't just yank it out of the pan right away, though! Let it cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes on a wire rack. This helps it set and prevents it from crumbling when you try to remove it. I've definitely made that mistake before, resulting in a slightly mangled but still delicious loaf. After that initial cool, you can gently remove it from the pan and let it cool completely on the wire rack.
06 - And there you have it! The moment you've been waiting for. Once your loaf is cool enough to handle, slice it up. It should have a beautiful golden crust, a moist, tender crumb, and those lovely pockets of softened apple throughout. The aroma alone is a reward! It's fantastic warm, perhaps with a pat of butter, or even plain. This bread just screams cozy, comforting, and utterly delicious. Share it, or keep it all to yourself – I won't tell!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overmix the batter; a light hand is key for a tender crumb.
02 - Store leftovers tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze sliced for longer.
03 - Swap vegetable oil for melted butter for a richer flavor, or try different apple varieties like Fuji.
04 - A dollop of cream cheese frosting or a simple glaze makes this bread extra special.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - 9x5-inch loaf pan
02 - large mixing bowls
03 - whisk
04 - spatula
05 - wire rack

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 350
Total Fat: 12g
Total Carbohydrate: 58g
Protein: 4g

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