Easy homemade from scratch, this apple quick bread comes with amazing apple flavor and a streusel top. Great for snacks, breakfast, or gifts. Just follow the easy step-by-step photo instructions.
Introduction
Welcome to October and the apple season. I always love apple season—so many choices and only one mouth.
I always try to do as many recipes for apples as possible since fresh off the tree is as good as it gets. Apple Bread, AKA Apple Pie bread, is a special treat I have had over the years, but I have never made my own.
I read many recipes, but most go back to a common root of Better Homes and Gardens Apple Pie Bread. So here is my take on a classic recipe with some minor changes, expanded detailed instructions, used my favorite streusel top.
Many recipes called "apple pie bread" had chunks of apple or apple pie filling. This variation is more in line with the "apple bread" recipes, so I changed the name to more accurately reflect the recipe.
My Rating
A very, very strong 4. OK, maybe a 5.
🍎What Apples to Use
There seems to be confusion about what apple to use for this or that. I believe it is more a matter of individual taste. Granny Smith and Gala apples are both excellent choices. I find Cortland, Ida Red, Honey Crisp, or Roma also work well.
But really, the apples you love and have in the house are usually the best choice for you. I do suggest avoiding Red Delicious or Macintosh.
Apple Bread FAQs
Quick bread uses a chemical, usually baking soda or baking powder, to leaven a dough to rise vs. using yeast.
Shredding the apples will release the juices for more flavor and help the apple stay distributed through the bread. Chopped apple will tend to drop to the bottom of the pan.
Generally, I use a box grater for this. Use the large shredding holes. I'm too lazy to get out, set up, and clean a food processor for one minute of work.
Baking powder that contains aluminum can leave a metallic after-taste for many people (my wife and I included.) You will see aluminum-free and regular baking powder next to each other at the exact cost. The aluminum-free will usually have a label on the front.
Nutmeg: The suggested nutmeg in the original recipe was ½ teaspoon. That is very heavy in taste. I recommend ¼ teaspoon.
Cinnamon: I'm an admitted cinnamon lover. I usually double the cinnamon for our personal use. When I publish a recipe, I give a more normal amount. This recipe calls for ½ teaspoon. I usually use a full teaspoon.
Vanilla: Real vanilla is much better than the cheaper imitation stuff. You will have that bottle for a long time. Buy the good stuff.
"Standard" loaf pan size is 8-½ x 4-½ x 2-½ inches, but there are many sizes of loaf pans. A small pan will take longer to cook due to the thickness, and a larger pan faster due to the loaf being thinner. As always, do not cook by time alone. Ovens differ—Cook to an endpoint, not time.
The traditional way to check if a quick bread is done is the "toothpick" test. Insert a toothpick in the center, and it should come out clean.
If your done "get it" with the toothpick thing, the internal temperature of quick bread should be 200°.
Generally, it takes about one hour. But there is some variation in ovens, and loaf pans vary a bit in size causing thickness differences that will affect cooking time.
Store like it was banana bread, which means well sealed at room temperature for 3-4 days.
You can freeze apple bread for 2-3 months. I suggest cutting into slices and wrapping individually before freezing.
Apple Recipes
🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°.
Prep a loaf pan with butter and flour coating. About 9 by 5 works well.
In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, add one stick (½ cup), softened butter, two eggs, ¼ cup milk, one cup brown sugar, one teaspoon vanilla. Beat until creamy.
In a separate bowl, combine two cups flour, two teaspoon baking powder, one teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ - ½ teaspoon nutmeg.
Peel and shred two large apples.
Mix topping with two tablespoons butter, four tablespoons brown sugar, three tablespoons flour, and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon.
Slowly combine dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Then add in shredded apple and mix.
Add to floured loaf pan.
Add the topping. Bake at 350° until a toothpick comes out clean—about 1 hour.
Cool before cutting.
📖Full Recipe
Apple Bread
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder - alunimum-free
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ - ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 apples - large shredded
Optional Additives
- 1 cup walnuts or pecans - optional
- ½ cup raisins - optional
topping
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 3 tablespoon flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Prep a loaf pan with butter and flour coating. Try to use a pan of about 9 by 5.
- In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, add one stick (½ cup) of softened butter, two eggs, ¼ cup milk, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until creamy.
- In a separate bowl, combine 2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1xteaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼-1/2 teaspoon nutmeg.,
- Peel and shred two large apples.
- Mix topping 2 tablespoons butter, 4 tablespoons brown sugar, 3 tablespoons flour, and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon.
- Slowly combine dry ingredients into the wet ingredients—then add in shredded apple and mix
- Add to floured loaf pan and add topping.
- Bake at 350° until a toothpick comes out clean—about 1 hour.
- Cool before cutting.
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips
- Granny Smith and Gala apples are both excellent choices. I find Cortland, Ida Red, Honey Crisp, or Roma also work well. But use the apples you have, but I don't like Red Delicious or Macintosh for this.
- I suggested a 9 by 5 loaf pan. You can use the bit smaller 8 ½ by 4 ½. It will be a bit thicker and take a bit longer to cook. Larger will cook faster.
- Please use aluminum-free baking powder. The other can leave an aftertaste.
- The suggested nutmeg in the original recipe was ½ teaspoon. That is very heavy in taste. I suggest ¼ teaspoon.
- The endpoint of cooking is for a toothpick to come out clean. But you can also check the internal temperature—quick bread is done at 200°.
- Like banana bread, this can be stored at room temperature if sealed well for about 3 days. Freezing should be fine for 2-3 months.
To adjust the recipe size:
You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.
Nutrition Estimate
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Originally Published October 7, 2014. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.
S. ECKELS
Dr. Dan, do you have any gluten free recipes for apple bread or any other quick breads/ meals. My SIL was diagnosed about a year ago and we camp together frequently and I would like to make something she can eat. Happy fall!
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
No. I did some alternative flours in the early days of the blog. They were only OK, got no traffic, I felt there were better ones out there, and I lost interest. There is a cracker recipe https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/parmesan-sesame-crackers/ that is the only one left I think.
Since it is a quick bread not dependent on gluten formation, I suspect some substitutes would work. There are some combination products that seem to get good review.
Dan
Lana
I found your website last night when I looked up "low calorie biscuits" to see if such a thing exists. I'm making yogurt right now so I'll be trying that soon! But I happened to see this note for apple bread. I have an apple tree and I'm always looking for creative ways to use my tons (not QUITE literally) of apples. I will be trying this soon, as well, although my apples are currently frozen. My tree comes ripe in July and it's October. It's a tart apple and makes wonderful applesauce. You've probably never heard of the type; it's an heirloom apple called Early Strawberry. The tree is probably 60 years old. I hope my frozen apple slices work! Do you have ideas on how to make this lower calorie as well? I know, I ask a lot!
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Lana,
Welcome to the blog.
First, enjoy the biscuits.
About Early Strawberry apples, my Grandmother had three apple trees picked to provide apples for a long as possible. I believe the first ones (mid-July in Iowa) were strawberry apples. I was not the biggest fan. Small, hard and tart with a thick skin. (that was 60 yrs ago.)
About this bread. 2 to 3 cups of the applesauce should do for the apples. You will need a sweetener of some type and maybe more than normal. I did cut the sugar down from the original recipes. I don't like baking with artificial sweeteners - funny taste. So the sugar needs to stay and perhaps increase some.
You can cut the butter some but I tried cutting it in half and the texture/moisture was poor. Of course, egg whites instead of eggs. So not much you can do the make this healthier.
Sorry I wasn't more helpful. Enjoy the biscuits.
Dan
Carole
Just found your site. Can't wait to make your apple bread and chicken stew. My husband and I are new empty nesters. Thank you for dinners for 2.
Leslie
Made twice, used almond milk both times, added chopped pecans to topping and increased cinnamon in topping to 1/2 tsp, and did not peel apples before shredding. In my opinion simple recipe that taste better than Apple pie
Barbara
For freezing bread slices and other baked goodies: I keep a large box of fold lock top bags for freezing bakery. For bread slice, I bag every other slice of bread and put in bread bag. Squeeze out air and tie shut. I buy my bread bags and bag clips from King Arthur baking site. Cannot wait to make this Apple Bread and your Apple Cake recipe. Here in West-Central TX we have different selection of apples. Never any Roma, McIntosh or Cortland (poor keepers). Granny Smith, Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady and too many Red Delicious. We used to live in WI near apple orchards. We miss the Cortland apple. But TX does grow peaches, apricots and figs.
Alyssa
Dan, this bread looks amazing! I don't think I've ever used shredded apples in my baking, but that's a great idea (and Lilly is adorable!). Love the streusel topping, too!
DrDan
Thanks for the note. I though the shredded apple worked very well. It kicked up the taste and eliminated the "steam pocket" issue I sometimes get with fresh fruit.
Lilly says thanks also...
DrDan
Lindsey
Must I Shred the apples? What happens if I use chopped pieces?
DrDan
A chopped apple should work OK but should be small. Bigger pieces would cause "steam pockets". Most of the other recipes did shredded so I copied. You also could do some of both.
DrDan
Leslie
Can't actually rate, until I make however sounds like a 5 star
DrDan
Thanks for the note(s). Us empty nesters must stick together. Glad many are working well for you.
DrDan
Leslie
I have made many of your recipes and find them to be delicious, easy to make snd perfect for empty nesters. This recipe looks great, plan to make tonight to bring to work in am.