Description
This moist and flavorful Apple Bread is a perfect treat that combines tender chopped apples with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Made with simple ingredients and baked to golden perfection, it’s ideal for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. The addition of optional nuts adds a satisfying crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
Fruits and Nuts
- 1 ½ cups peeled and chopped apples (about 2 medium apples)
- Optional: ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan to ensure the bread doesn’t stick during baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to evenly distribute all the dry components and spices.
- Combine Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and granulated sugar until smooth and well combined, forming the base for the batter.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract to add flavor and richness.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Milk: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the bread.
- Fold in Apples and Nuts: Gently fold in the chopped apples and the optional nuts, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter for texture and flavor.
- Transfer and Bake: Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bread is fully cooked.
- Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps it set and makes slicing easier.
Notes
- You can substitute the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier option, though the bread may be denser.
- Using tart apples like Granny Smith will add a nice balance of sweetness and tanginess.
- If you prefer a sweeter bread, increase sugar by up to ¼ cup.
- For a nut-free version, simply omit the nuts or replace them with chocolate chips.
- Store the bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
