Imagine the comforting aroma of apple butter and spices wafting through your kitchen as you bake this delightful bread.
Apple Butter Bread is a simple, cozy treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
The combination of apple butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg creates a warm, indulgent flavor that feels like a hug in every slice.
As the ingredients meld and rise in the oven, magic happens. Let’s bring this delicious creation to life!
Kitchen Tools Required
- 1 loaf pan
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 medium mixing bowl
- 1 whisk
- 1 measuring cup set
- 1 measuring spoon set
- 1 wooden spoon or spatula
- 1 cooling rack
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Cook & Prep Time
To efficiently manage your time while preparing and baking Apple Butter Bread, you can follow this timeline:
- Reading and Preparation (5 minutes)
- Read through the entire recipe to familiarize yourself with the steps and ingredients.
- Gather all the necessary equipment and ingredients.
- Preheat and Preparation (10 minutes)
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray.
- Mixing Ingredients (15 minutes)
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the apple butter, melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in the chopped nuts if using.
- Baking (50 minutes)
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While the bread is baking, you can clean up the kitchen and prepare any additional toppings or spreads you’d like to serve with the bread.
- Cooling (10 minutes)
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Transfer the bread to a cooling rack to cool completely before slicing.
Adjust the timing as needed based on your pace and any additional garnishes you might want to add.
Recipe Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the apple butter, melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
Fold in the chopped nuts if using.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
Transfer the bread to a cooling rack to cool completely before slicing.
Serving Tips
- Cream Cheese Spread: Enhance the bread’s flavor with a creamy and tangy layer of cream cheese.
- Whipped Cream: Add a light and airy dollop of whipped cream for a touch of sweetness.
- Warm Apple Compote: Serve with a spoonful of warm apple compote for an extra burst of apple flavor.
- Honey Drizzle: A drizzle of honey adds a natural sweetness and complements the spices in the bread.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Pair a slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert experience.
Storage
To store Apple Butter Bread, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Keep it at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Alternatively, refrigerate for up to a week.
Freezing
To freeze Apple Butter Bread, cool completely.
Slice the bread and wrap individual slices in plastic wrap.
Place the wrapped slices in a freezer-safe bag.
Store for up to three months.
Thaw at room temperature.
Reheating
To reheat apple butter bread, wrap it in aluminum foil and place it in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10 minutes.
This preserves moisture and enhances flavor.
Final Thoughts
Apple Butter Bread is a delightful dessert that combines the rich flavors of apple butter and warm spices.
The preparation is straightforward and can be completed in under an hour, making it a perfect treat for any occasion.
Remember to let the bread cool completely before slicing to guarantee the best texture.
Enjoy this delicious bread as a standalone dessert or pair it with cream cheese or whipped cream for an added treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Substitute Apple Butter With Applesauce?
You can substitute applesauce for apple butter, but expect a milder flavor. For ideal results, increase cinnamon and nutmeg slightly. Consider adding a tablespoon of sugar or honey to enhance sweetness, ensuring a comparable texture and taste.
What Can I Use as a Butter Substitute?
You can substitute butter with equal amounts of coconut oil or vegetable oil. For a lower-fat option, try using applesauce or Greek yogurt, adjusting texture and flavor slightly. Make sure to melt solid fats before mixing.
Is This Recipe Gluten-Free?
This recipe isn’t gluten-free because it uses all-purpose flour. To make it gluten-free, substitute the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Confirm the blend includes xanthan gum for proper texture and structure.
How Can I Make This Bread Vegan?
Replace eggs with flax eggs by mixing 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed with 6 tablespoons water. Substitute unsalted butter with vegan butter or coconut oil. Confirm sugar is vegan-certified. Use plant-based milk if needed for moisture adjustments.
What Is the Nutritional Information per Slice?
To determine nutritional information per slice, calculate calories, fats, sugars, and proteins using ingredient quantities. Typically, a slice contains around 200 calories, 10g fat, 25g carbs, and 3g protein, but exact values vary with substitutions.
Apple Butter Bread
Equipment
- 1 Loaf pan
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 medium mixing bowl
- 1 Whisk
- 1 measuring cup set
- 1 measuring spoon set
- 1 Wooden spoon or spatula
- 1 Cooling rack
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the apple butter, melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in the chopped nuts if using.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Transfer the bread to a cooling rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
