Homemade Applesauce Bread is ultra moist, warmly spiced, and completely delicious. This bread has an entire cup of applesauce in the batter, giving it a strong apple flavor and wonderful texture. For the best crunchy topping, add some sugar to the top of the batter before baking.
PREP: It's important the wet ingredients are all at the same temperature (room temperature). Remove them from the fridge about 45 mins to an hour before using. Grease and lightly flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
WET INGREDIENTS: Add all the wet ingredients to a large bowl. Use a whisk to mix until completely smooth. (Don't use a hand or stand mixer--you'll introduce too much air into the batter.)
DRY INGREDIENTS: Add all the dry ingredients to a large bowl and whisk together. Make a well in the center.
COMBINE: Pour wet ingredients on top of the dry ingredients and mix until batter is formed.
TOPPING: Mix the topping (2 tbsp. light brown sugar, 1 tbsp. white sugar, ¼ tsp. cinnamon).
BAKE: Pour and then smooth batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle topping evenly on top (don't press it in). Bake for 60-75 minutes or until a toothpick when inserted into the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
COOL: Remove from the oven and let cool in pan for 15 minutes before inverting onto a wire cooling rack. Let cool for 1 hour before slicing. Don't rush the cooling-- the bread is still "baking" with residual heat.
STORAGE: We like to finish this bread within 2-3 days of being made. After that, it begins to lose texture (becomes too moist). It can, however, last up to a week stored in an airtight container and tightly wrapped in plastic wrap. After the third day, I recommend storing it in the fridge. Wrap each slice tightly and place in an airtight container.
Notes
Note 1: Loaf pan: Be sure to use the correct size of pan so the recipe works properly. Here's the loaf panwe use and love. An 8x4-inch pan is too small! If you do use an 8x4-inch pan, only add about 75% of the batter (use leftovers for some muffins) and note that bake time is shorter. Don't forget to generously grease the bread pan. Coat with nonstick spray (or rub on shortening) and then lightly dust with flour. Alternatively, line it with parchment paper. If you line with parchment paper, leave an overhang for easy removal. Nutrition information does not include the optional topping.