Warm & Cozy: The Ultimate Apple Walnut Bread Recipe
Apple walnut bread is a delightful treat, perfect for a cozy autumn morning or a comforting afternoon snack. The combination of sweet apples, crunchy walnuts, and warm spices creates a flavor profile that’s both comforting and satisfying. This recipe is designed to be easy to follow, even for beginner bakers, and the results are guaranteed to impress. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked apple walnut bread!
Why You’ll Love This Apple Walnut Bread
* **Perfectly Moist:** This recipe creates a bread that is incredibly moist and tender, thanks to the addition of applesauce and oil.
* **Bursting with Flavor:** The combination of apples, walnuts, cinnamon, and nutmeg creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require any fancy equipment or techniques.
* **Versatile:** Enjoy it plain, toasted, or with a smear of butter or cream cheese. It’s also a fantastic addition to any brunch spread.
* **Freezer-Friendly:** Bake a loaf (or two!) ahead of time and freeze for a quick and easy treat whenever you crave it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you start baking, gather these ingredients:
* **All-Purpose Flour:** 3 cups (375g)
* **Baking Soda:** 1 teaspoon
* **Baking Powder:** 1 teaspoon
* **Salt:** 1/2 teaspoon
* **Ground Cinnamon:** 1 teaspoon
* **Ground Nutmeg:** 1/2 teaspoon
* **Eggs:** 2 large
* **Granulated Sugar:** 1 cup (200g)
* **Brown Sugar:** 1/2 cup (100g), packed
* **Vegetable Oil:** 1/2 cup (120ml)
* **Applesauce:** 1 cup (240ml), unsweetened
* **Vanilla Extract:** 1 teaspoon
* **Apples:** 2 cups (2 medium), peeled, cored, and diced
* **Walnuts:** 1 cup (100g), chopped
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
* **Flour:** You can substitute up to 1 cup of all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a slightly nuttier flavor. However, using all whole wheat flour will result in a denser bread.
* **Sugar:** You can adjust the amount of sugar to your liking. If you prefer a less sweet bread, reduce the granulated sugar by 1/4 cup.
* **Oil:** Vegetable oil can be substituted with canola oil, melted coconut oil (cooled slightly), or even unsweetened applesauce for a healthier option. Using applesauce will result in a slightly denser bread.
* **Applesauce:** Make sure to use unsweetened applesauce to control the sweetness of the bread. If you only have sweetened applesauce, reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe accordingly.
* **Apples:** Use your favorite baking apples! Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Fuji apples all work well. You can also use a combination of different apple varieties.
* **Walnuts:** Pecans can be substituted for walnuts if preferred. You can also toast the walnuts for a more intense flavor. To toast, spread the chopped walnuts on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant.
* **Spices:** Feel free to adjust the amount of cinnamon and nutmeg to your liking. You can also add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice for a warmer flavor.
Equipment You’ll Need
* **Two 9×5 inch Loaf Pans:** These are standard loaf pan sizes. You can use one large loaf pan, but you’ll need to increase the baking time.
* **Mixing Bowls:** One large bowl for dry ingredients and one medium bowl for wet ingredients.
* **Whisk:** For combining dry ingredients.
* **Rubber Spatula:** For folding in the apples and walnuts.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For accurate measurements.
* **Wire Rack:** For cooling the bread.
* **Optional: Electric Mixer:** While not required, an electric mixer can make creaming the butter and sugar together easier.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your own delicious apple walnut bread:
**Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Loaf Pans**
* Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
* Grease and flour two 9×5 inch loaf pans. Alternatively, you can line the pans with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
**Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients**
* In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
**Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients**
* In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract.
**Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients**
* Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. A few streaks of flour are okay.
**Step 5: Fold in the Apples and Walnuts**
* Gently fold in the diced apples and chopped walnuts until evenly distributed.
**Step 6: Pour Batter into Loaf Pans**
* Divide the batter evenly between the prepared loaf pans.
**Step 7: Bake the Bread**
* Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top of the bread starts to brown too quickly, tent it loosely with aluminum foil.
**Step 8: Cool the Bread**
* Let the bread cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Baking the Best Apple Walnut Bread
* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing the batter will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough bread. Mix until just combined.
* **Measure Flour Accurately:** The best way to measure flour is using a kitchen scale. If you don’t have a scale, spoon the flour into a measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Avoid scooping the flour directly from the bag, as this can pack it down and result in too much flour.
* **Use Room Temperature Ingredients:** Using room temperature eggs will help them incorporate more easily into the batter, resulting in a smoother texture.
* **Check for Doneness:** Use a wooden skewer to check for doneness. Insert the skewer into the center of the bread. If it comes out clean, the bread is done. If it comes out with wet batter, continue baking for a few more minutes.
* **Cool Completely:** Let the bread cool completely before slicing to prevent it from crumbling.
Serving Suggestions
Apple walnut bread is delicious on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your experience:
* **Plain:** Enjoy a slice of warm apple walnut bread as is.
* **Toasted:** Toast a slice of bread for a crispy texture and enhanced flavor.
* **With Butter:** Spread a generous amount of butter on a slice of bread.
* **With Cream Cheese:** Top a slice of bread with cream cheese for a tangy and creamy combination.
* **With Honey or Maple Syrup:** Drizzle honey or maple syrup over a slice of bread for extra sweetness.
* **As French Toast:** Use apple walnut bread to make French toast for a decadent breakfast or brunch.
* **With Ice Cream:** Serve a slice of warm apple walnut bread with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert.
Storage Instructions
* **Room Temperature:** Store apple walnut bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
* **Refrigerator:** Store apple walnut bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Let it come to room temperature before serving.
* **Freezer:** Wrap apple walnut bread tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil or place it in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. You can also slice the bread before freezing for individual portions.
Variations and Add-Ins
Want to customize your apple walnut bread? Here are a few ideas:
* **Chocolate Chips:** Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the batter for a touch of chocolatey goodness.
* **Raisins or Dried Cranberries:** Add 1/2 cup of raisins or dried cranberries to the batter for a chewy texture and added sweetness.
* **Caramel Sauce:** Drizzle caramel sauce over the top of the bread after baking for a decadent treat.
* **Streusel Topping:** Add a streusel topping to the bread before baking for a crunchy and sweet topping. To make a streusel topping, combine 1/2 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of butter (cold and cubed), and 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts. Mix with your fingers until crumbly and sprinkle over the batter before baking.
* **Cream Cheese Swirl:** Swirl cream cheese into the batter before baking for a creamy and tangy surprise. To make a cream cheese swirl, combine 4 ounces of softened cream cheese, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Drop dollops of the cream cheese mixture over the batter and swirl with a knife.
Apple Walnut Bread Recipe
**Prep Time:** 20 minutes
**Cook Time:** 50-60 minutes
**Total Time:** 1 hour 10 minutes – 1 hour 20 minutes
**Yield:** 2 loaves
**Ingredients:**
* 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 2 large eggs
* 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup (100g) packed brown sugar
* 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
* 1 cup (240ml) unsweetened applesauce
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 cups (2 medium) peeled, cored, and diced apples
* 1 cup (100g) chopped walnuts
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9×5 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract.
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Fold in apples and walnuts.
6. Divide batter evenly between prepared loaf pans.
7. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
8. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy your homemade apple walnut bread! This recipe is perfect for any occasion and is sure to become a family favorite. The combination of warm spices, sweet apples, and crunchy walnuts is simply irresistible. Happy baking!