This Applesauce Bread comes together in one bowl in just minutes and bakes up into the most delicious quick bread. It is lightly spiced, super moist, and freezes beautifully.
I love quick and easy breads that come together in one bowl with just a wooden spoon, and this applesauce bread is our new favorite one to add to the list. Like my classic Banana Bread, this bread is moist and tender and gets most of its flavor from the fruit that’s in the mix. The apple flavor comes right through and the cinnamon adds a pleasant spice, which makes it an ideal bread for fall and winter … or any day when you’re craving some coziness.
The key to this bread is to use homemade applesauce or purchased applesauce that tastes really good. That’s really it! The method is super simple, and once cooled, it’s easy to slice to serve or to store for future days (or weeks if you freeze it).
This is a perfect make-ahead breakfast, it works as a side dish as a Thanksgiving recipe for kids and other holidays, and it’s also a delicious snack. We love it with butter, cream cheese, and peanut butter equally.
(You may also like my Apple Cinnamon Pancakes, Applesauce Muffins, Apple Cinnamon Muffins, Pumpkin Banana Bread, and Applesauce Cake.)
Table of Contents
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Ingredients You Need
Below is a look at the ingredients you need to make this Applesauce Bread recipe so you know what to pick up at the store and have on hand for easy baking.
- Applesauce: The primary flavor in this quick bread is applesauce, so be sure to use one with a flavor that you like when tasting it by itself. You can use jarred store-bought applesauce or Homemade Applesauce.
- Butter: I use unsalted butter in my baking, and we use it here to add moisture and a tender crumb.
- Eggs: Eggs help ensure that the bread holds together nicely and add structure and protein. If you want to make this bread without eggs, you’ll want to use a liquid egg replacer if possible.
- Vanilla extract: You can use pure or artificial vanilla extract. The flavor pairs really nicely with the flavor of the apple.
- Whole wheat flour: I like using whole wheat flour here because it can handle the large volume of wet ingredients and bake up evenly through the center of the bread. It also has fiber and whole grains, which is a nice element.
- Sugar: I sweeten this bread with a modest amount of sugar to ensure it tastes sweet overall. You can reduce the amount a little if you prefer.
- Baking soda: The key to this bread baking through and rising properly is to use fresh, active baking soda.
- Cinnamon: I like to add cinnamon to this recipe to enhance the cozy, spiced flavor. You can add a pinch of ginger, too, if you’d like.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Below is an overview of the Applesauce Bread recipe process so you know what to expect. Scroll down to the end of the post for the full amounts and timing on the recipe.
Step 1. Preheat the oven and grease a 9×5-inch pan with nonstick spray. Add the wet ingredients to a large bowl. Stir to combine.
Step 2. Stir in the dry ingredients. Stir gently to combine fully.
Step 3. Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula so it’s even. Bake until golden brown and a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 4. Let cool on a wire rack before slicing.
You can sprinkle the top of the bread with coarse sugar or demerara sugar to add a hint of sparkle if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
It helps to add moisture to the finished bread.
The primary flavor in this quick bread is applesauce, so be sure to use one with a flavor that you like when tasting it by itself. You can use jarred store-bought applesauce or Homemade Applesauce.
How to Store
Store any leftover applesauce bread, once fully cooled, wrapped in plastic wrap and in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days, in the fridge for 5 days, or frozen for up to 6 months. You can freeze slices, once cooled, in a zip-top storage bag with as much air removed as possible. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature.
Best Tips for Success
- Serve chilled or slightly warmed or toasted. (If it’s been a few days and the bread is getting a little dried out, toast it!)
- Use all all-purpose flour if desired. You may need to cover with foil and bake for 5-10 more minutes to bake through completely in the center. Test with a cake tester to be sure it’s baked.
- Add ½ cup chocolate chips or raisins to the batter if desired.
- Add a pinch of ground ginger for more warm spice flavor.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, so please rate and comment below!
One-Bowl Applesauce Bread
Ingredients
- 1½ cups applesauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled; 1 stick)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×5-inch pan with nonstick spray.
- Add the applesauce, butter, eggs, and vanilla to a large bowl. Stir to combine.
- Stir in the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir gently to combine fully.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula so it's even. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until golden brown and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then remove from pan (carefully) and let cool on a wire rack completely.
- Slice and serve.
Notes
- Store any leftovers, once fully cooled, wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days, in the fridge for 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. You can freeze slices, once cooled, in a zip-top storage bag with as much air removed as possible. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature.
- Serve chilled or slightly warmed or toasted. (If it’s been a few days and the bread is getting a little dried out, toast it!)
- Use all all-purpose flour if desired. You may need to cover with foil and bake for 5-10 more minutes to bake through completely in the center. Test with a cake tester to be sure it’s baked.
- Add ½ cup chocolate chips to the batter if desired.
Nutrition
This post was first published September 2023.
A favorite snack in our house
What’s a really good applesauce to use that can be bought at Target or Whole Foods?
You could do the 365 Whole Foods store brand!
I’ve made this several times now because it instantly went into my weekly rotation after the first try! Wow, this is SO easy and SO yummy. I prefer to pop a slice in the microwave with a good smear of cream cheese for ~15 seconds and have it for breakfast (or two slices!). It seriously comes together in less than 10 minutes plus baking time. Slides right out of the pan with a bit of olive oil spray. It’s a perfect recipe!
Just made this exactly as the recipe calls for with whole wheat flour. Oh my goodness, is it delicious! Perfectly sweet! I just know my little one will gobble it up!
Do you think it will turn out ok if baked in individual muffin/cupcake forms? Probably shorter baking time but would it end up too dry…?
I think it would be fine. I’d do 375 F and about 1/4 cup batter in each of a standard size muffin pan, then 14-16 minutes. Enjoy
I change my mind- I like this!!! It actually tasted sweeter the next day after it fully cooled and settled. The while family loves it, we ate the whole thing in under 24 hrs! Oh and also made your cream cheese frosting to spread on it for a little afternoon pick me up- yummmm! We all love it.
Is it possible to use maple syrup instead of sugar in this recipe? Thanks for all of your amazing recipes Amy! 😊
Yes, though it’s possible the bread might wind up a little drier (I use sugar on purpose since it helps it stay super moist). Enjoy!
What/ how can I sub out the eggs? Thank you!
Because of the thickness and moisture in this batter, the best option would a store bought egg replacer like the one from Bobs Red Mill.
Added raisins – delish.
Can you sub oil for the butter?
Sure
Always love this recipe. I don’t add the sugar and I use unsweetened cinnamon applesauce and I find its completely sweet enough for my 5 year old and my 10 month old. Sometimes I add peanut butter or a little sweetness after the fact for my older child. Thanks Amy for another great recipe!
Do you think this would work with brown sugar instead of white? Or a combo of both?
Sure
Saw this in a Instagram video and had to makes it! This was delicious! My three year old said can we have this for snack every day? And apparently she raved to her preschool teacher about it today too! I didn’t have whole wheat flour so I used all purpose and it was totally fine and mine was done at 55 minutes – no foil needed. It baked up perfect!
So glad to hear that!
Is the 350 oven temp with or without convection turned on?
Sometimes I have challenges getting the top middle fully baked without drying out the sides so I’m testing out the convection setting.
It’s without. Enjoy!
Easy and delicious. I have teens and adults to feed (no little ones), and we all liked. I sprinkled with a little raw sugar and cinnamon and made with all purpose flour. Otherwise followed recipe.
Absolutely delicious! Just enough sweetness. My toddler gobbled it up!
Could you sub oat flour?
I haven’t tried it and it’s possible it would be a lot less firm. Let me know if you try it!
Such a delicious and easy recipe! I personally found the sweetness just right for a bread. And I used unsweetened applesauce. My 4yo son thought it was great too! Though for him I called it applesauce “cake” lol. I also used APF and did not need to adjust cooking time or use foil. Great recipe!! I’ll definitely make it again!
I thought this was really tasty! I added a small peeled, thinly sliced apple and a handful of walnuts. The bread is barely sweet and the fresh apple really helps with that. Next time I will add 1/4-1/3 c brown sugar to sweeten it a little more. I love that this uses all whole wheat flour!
My child has an egg allergy. Is there something I can use to replace the eggs in this recipe?
The best option I know of for this is a store bought egg replacer, due to the high moisture level in the bread. Enjoy!
Delicious!!!!!
Seriously so delicious! Make this!
Usually your recipes mention gluten free flour replacement as a substitute for wheat flour, but this one doesn’t mention that substitution. Do you not recommend the GF flour for this quick bread?
I would also like to know if GF flour can be used….
I haven’t tested it, but my guess is that due to the high moisture in the volume of applesauce, you might need a little extra flour to ensure that the middle of the bread cooks through. So I would add 2-4 tablespoons more of a cup for cup style of gluten-free flour blend.
Question: is there banana in this/can we add it? I see in the directions it mentions banana but I don’t see it in ingredients
There’s no banana! If you want to add it, replace some of the volume of the applesauce with mashed very ripe banana. Enjoy!
It also makes your house smell amazing