Last week we did what every western New Yorker does in the fall…we went apple picking! We had so much fun and walked away with about 30 lbs of apples. It was a perfect day with crisp air, sunshine and lots of family fun. My daughter loved it, and kept asking to go back! Her favorite part was twisting the apples off the branch and then shoving them into her mouth. My favorite part was watching her excitement as she ran through fields and fields of apple trees! Seriously, I know SNL gave apple picking a bad name (it was a funny skit..), but it really is fun to do. And here in western NY, our winters are so long that you have to savor the time outdoors while it lasts. After my 2 year old refused to eat the applesauce I made because it looked too much like “baby food” for her, I had to experiment in the kitchen to see what else I could come up with!
And then this masterpiece was born! Apple. Cinnamon. Bread. OMG, yumm.
There are few things better than a soft, warm bread. What better way to put some of those apples to use than make the most *delicious* cinnamon apple bread. This bread is moist and crumbly at the same time, sweet, spicy and tastes like fall. It uses both grated and chunks of apples which gives it great texture and a lot of apple flavor. I whipped it up during nap time today and when my daughter woke up, she immediately ran down to the kitchen to see what I had made.
Needless to say, it was a hit.
This recipe makes two loaves. If you can bear not to eat both loaves at once, this bread can be wrapped up in plastic wrap and placed in the freezer once cooled. When you’re ready for it, defrost it and warm it back up in the microwave for a few minutes. If you’re a really amazing, generous person, you may even be willing to give away a loaf to friends or family. I am always gifting baked goods to others, but this didn’t make it out of our house. I had to immediately put away our second loaf in the freezer as my husband and kids ate ⅔ of our first loaf in about 45 mins (ok, ok…maybe I had a slice, too!)
Start by peeling your apples. You’ll grate two of them and chop up one. The grated apples make this bread super moist and flavorful, while the chopped apples give great texture. I used the largest side of my box grater to do this.
Next you’ll add some sugar and spices to the chopped apples and let them sit. At first it will seem the apples are way too dry, but the mixture will become wet and sweet within a few minutes.
Next, you’ll mix together the butter, sugars, and vanilla. I recommend a stand mixer for this recipe. You’ll need two sticks of butter softened for this recipe. You can do this by leaving them out on the counter for a few hours, or nuke them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. Be careful not to melt the butter as this will change the consistency of the bread.
Then, you’ll beat in the eggs, one at a time until well incorporated. Now add in the grated apples.
Once all of your wet ingredients are mixed together, you will add the dry ingredients a little bit at a time. The batter will be thick but wet.
I used two 10×5″ loaf plans for this recipe. I laid both pans next to each other and worked at them both simultaneously. I recommend this because the batter is so thick, you want to make sure you have enough for both pans.
Spray both loaf pans, and then put ¼ of the batter into the bottom of each. Using a spatula, spread the batter to the corners. Then, place your chopped apples over the top, spreading them evenly between the pans. Top with the remaining batter. Then, into the oven they go!
These breads will bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Mine baked for 42 minutes, and were absolutely scrumptious.
Enjoy!
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AuthorLindseyDifficultyBeginner
Peel all three apples. Grate two of the apples and set aside. Chop one of the apples into small pieces, and add the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Set aside.
Beat together softened butter, sugars, and vanilla.
Beat in eggs, one at a time, until incorporated.
Fold in grated apples.
Mix together flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a separate bowl. Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until incorporated, do not over mix.
Spray two 10x5" loaf pans with cooking spray. Add ¼ of batter to the bottom of each pan, spreading the batter to each corner.
Sprinkle chopped apple mixture over the top.
Use remaining batter to top each loaf pan. Spread batter to cover chopped apples.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. Serve warm with butter. Enjoy!
Ingredients
Directions
Peel all three apples. Grate two of the apples and set aside. Chop one of the apples into small pieces, and add the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Set aside.
Beat together softened butter, sugars, and vanilla.
Beat in eggs, one at a time, until incorporated.
Fold in grated apples.
Mix together flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a separate bowl. Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until incorporated, do not over mix.
Spray two 10x5" loaf pans with cooking spray. Add ¼ of batter to the bottom of each pan, spreading the batter to each corner.
Sprinkle chopped apple mixture over the top.
Use remaining batter to top each loaf pan. Spread batter to cover chopped apples.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. Serve warm with butter. Enjoy!