Applesauce Bread is a moist, warmly spiced quick loaf made with rolled oats and a blend of whole wheat and all-purpose flour. It is simple to mix, reliably tender, and perfect for breakfast, snacking, or sharing.
This cozy loaf is a practical choice whenever you want something homemade without pulling out a mixer or working with yeast. The batter comes together in two bowls, and the unsweetened applesauce provides plenty of moisture while adding a gentle fruit flavor.
Cinnamon, allspice, cloves, brown sugar, and vanilla give every slice a warm bakery-style aroma. Rolled oats add subtle texture, while the combination of white and whole wheat flour creates a loaf that feels hearty without becoming heavy.
Serve it plain while slightly warm, enjoy it at room temperature with coffee, or finish the cooled loaf with a light powdered sugar drizzle. It works equally well for a relaxed weekend breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a make-ahead addition to a brunch table.
Ingredients
Unsweetened applesauce: Supplies moisture and mild apple flavor without making the loaf overly sweet.
All-purpose and whole wheat flours: The all-purpose flour keeps the crumb soft, while whole wheat flour adds structure and a slightly nutty character.
Old-fashioned rolled oats: Give the bread a rustic texture and make each slice feel more substantial.
Brown and granulated sugars: Brown sugar contributes caramel-like depth, while granulated sugar provides balanced sweetness.
Eggs: Bind the batter and help the loaf rise into a tender, cohesive crumb. Room-temperature eggs blend more smoothly with the other wet ingredients.
Neutral oil: Keeps the bread moist even after it has cooled. Canola or vegetable oil works well because neither competes with the spices.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the apple and spice flavors with a warm, sweet aroma.
Cinnamon, allspice, and cloves: Create the loaf’s fragrant spice profile. Cloves are especially strong, so only a small amount is needed.
Baking soda and baking powder: Work together to give the thick batter enough lift.
Kosher salt: Sharpens the sweetness and prevents the spices from tasting flat.
Powdered sugar icing: An optional finishing touch that adds sweetness and a simple bakery-style appearance.
Cooking Steps
STEP 1: Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8- or 9-inch loaf pan thoroughly with neutral oil or nonstick cooking spray, paying special attention to the corners.
STEP 2: Combine both flours, the rolled oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves in a medium bowl. Stir well so the leavening and spices are evenly distributed.
STEP 3: In a larger bowl, whisk the room-temperature eggs with the applesauce, oil, and vanilla. Continue whisking until the mixture looks smooth and the oil is no longer sitting separately on the surface.
STEP 4: Pour the dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Fold gently, scraping along the bottom and sides of the bowl, just until no dry pockets remain. The finished batter should be thick but evenly combined.
STEP 5: Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top with a spatula so the bread rises and bakes as evenly as possible.
STEP 6: Bake for 55 to 65 minutes. Begin checking around the 50-minute mark, especially when using a darker pan or a wider 9-inch pan. The center should feel set, and a toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs rather than wet batter.
STEP 7: Let the loaf rest in the pan for 15 minutes. Carefully loosen the edges with a thin knife, remove the bread, and place it on a wire rack. Cool for about one hour before slicing or adding icing.
STEP 8: Once completely cool, drizzle the optional powdered sugar icing over the surface with a fork. Allow the drizzle to set briefly before cutting the loaf into slices.
Helpful Tips
- Mix the batter only until the flour disappears. Excessive stirring can develop too much gluten and make the bread dense or rubbery.
- Measure the flour by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling the top. Scooping directly from the container can pack in too much flour and produce a dry loaf.
- Let the bread cool before slicing cleanly. A warm slice will taste delicious, but the crumb may compress or crumble if cut immediately.
Can I use sweetened applesauce?
Sweetened applesauce can be used, but the finished loaf will be noticeably sweeter. Consider reducing the granulated sugar by two to four tablespoons, depending on how sweet the applesauce is. Avoid strongly flavored applesauce unless you want that additional flavor in the bread.
How can I tell when the center is fully baked?
Insert a toothpick into the thickest part of the loaf. It should emerge mostly clean, with only a few tender crumbs attached. For a more precise check, the center should reach approximately 200°F on an instant-read thermometer.
Do not rely only on the color of the crust. The outside may look finished while the middle still needs several more minutes.
Perfect Pairings
Coffee or tea: The cinnamon and cloves pair particularly well with hot coffee, chai, black tea, or a simple café au lait.
Greek yogurt and fruit: Serve a slice with plain or vanilla yogurt and fresh berries for a more complete breakfast.
Nut butter: A thin layer of peanut, almond, or cashew butter adds creamy richness and turns the bread into a satisfying afternoon snack.
Can I replace the whole wheat flour?
Yes. Replace the whole wheat flour with an equal amount of all-purpose flour for a lighter, softer loaf. The bread may have a slightly less hearty texture, but the baking method and approximate cooking time can remain the same.
Avoid replacing all the flour with a high-fiber alternative unless the recipe has been adjusted for its different absorption rate.
Can this loaf be made without eggs?
The two eggs can be replaced with prepared flax eggs. Mix two tablespoons of ground flaxseed with about five tablespoons of water, then let the mixture stand until thickened before adding it to the wet ingredients.
The vegan version may be a little denser and more delicate, so allow it to cool completely before slicing.
Why did my loaf sink in the middle?
A sunken center usually means the loaf was removed from the oven before the interior had fully set. Opening the oven repeatedly, using inactive leavening, or adding too much applesauce can also affect the structure.
Check doneness in the center rather than near the edge, and allow the bread to bake until it reaches about 200°F internally.
Keeping Leftovers Fresh
Allow the loaf to cool completely before storing it. Trapping warmth inside a container creates condensation, which can make the surface sticky and shorten its freshness.
Keep the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Place a sheet of parchment paper between the bread and the lid when the loaf has been iced to help protect the drizzle.
For longer storage, refrigerate the loaf for up to one week. Individual slices can be wrapped or separated with parchment so you can remove only what you need. Chilling may firm the crumb slightly, so bring each slice to room temperature before serving or warm it briefly.
To freeze, wrap the whole unglazed loaf tightly in plastic wrap and place it inside a freezer-safe bag. You can also freeze individual slices for convenient portions. Store frozen bread for up to three months and thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or for a few hours at room temperature.
For a warm slice, microwave it for about 10 to 15 seconds. To refresh several slices at once, place them in a 300°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Add fresh icing only after the bread has thawed and returned to room temperature.
Applesauce Bread
Ingredients
For the Bread
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup neutral-flavored oil such as canola or vegetable oil
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 large eggs brought to room temperature
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
For the Optional Drizzle
- ½ batch powdered sugar icing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Thoroughly coat an 8- or 9-inch loaf pan with oil or nonstick cooking spray.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, kosher salt, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. Stir until the ingredients are evenly dispersed.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk the eggs, applesauce, neutral oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully blended.
- Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir only until a thick, uniform batter forms and no visible flour remains. Scrape along the bottom and sides of the bowl to incorporate any unmixed ingredients, taking care not to overwork the batter.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and level the surface with a spatula.
- Bake for 55 to 65 minutes. Begin checking the loaf at approximately 50 minutes to prevent overbaking. The bread is ready when the center feels firm and a toothpick inserted into the middle emerges mostly clean with only a few moist crumbs. Alternatively, the internal temperature should register 200°F.
- Allow the bread to rest in the pan for 15 minutes. Run a knife carefully around the perimeter, then turn the loaf onto a wire rack.
- Cool completely to room temperature for approximately 1 hour before applying the icing. The bread may also be served warm or at room temperature without the glaze.
- Once the loaf has fully cooled, use a fork to drizzle the powdered sugar icing across the top. Apply the icing in alternating stripes for a more defined presentation.