Healthy & Flavorful Applesauce Spice Bread: Your Go-To Whole Wheat Maple Sweetened Loaf
Indulge in a truly delightful and wholesome treat with this incredible applesauce and spice bread recipe. Each slice offers a moist, tender crumb bursting with aromatic spices and natural sweetness, promising to become your new favorite baked good. Crafted with nutrient-rich whole wheat flour and naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup, this bread allows you to savor every bite without a hint of guilt. It’s a testament to how effortlessly delicious and healthy quick breads can be, perfectly complementing our growing collection of best bread recipes.
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I am thrilled to share yet another incredibly easy and healthy quick bread that is simply ideal for the autumn season, though its appeal extends far beyond fall. This applesauce and spice bread recipe delivers an unforgettable flavor profile, thanks to a harmonious blend of classic warming spices: cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and nutmeg. When combined, these spices evoke the comforting essence often found in pumpkin pie spice blends. For those who, like me, aren’t particularly fond of pumpkin, this combination of apples and these delightful “pumpkin pie” spices is nothing short of a culinary revelation. It truly feels like a match made in heaven!
During the development of this recipe, I carefully considered the best sweetener to complement these rich spices while ensuring the bread remained a wholesome snack option. After several trials, maple syrup emerged as the undisputed winner. Its natural caramel notes and subtle sweetness perfectly enhance the apple and spice flavors without overpowering them, contributing to the bread’s overall healthy profile.
While this versatile bread can certainly be enjoyed any time of the year, the fusion of apples, these cozy spices, and maple syrup undeniably creates the perfect symphony of fall flavors. Imagine the irresistible aroma wafting through your home as it bakes, filling every corner with warmth and comfort, especially on a crisp autumn day when leaves are dancing outside. It paints such a lovely, cozy picture, perfectly capturing all the cherished feelings of the season.
Enhancing Your Loaf with Optional Add-ins
As you can see from the images, I chose to incorporate chopped walnuts into this particular loaf. I find that nuts add a wonderful textural contrast and a pleasant depth of flavor to quick breads like this. However, their inclusion is entirely optional. I understand that many people have nut allergies or may simply not have nuts readily available. The good news is, this applesauce spice bread is absolutely delicious even without them. If you do enjoy nuts, walnuts are an excellent choice, providing a boost of protein and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Honestly, beyond the nutritional benefits, I primarily add them for that irresistible nutty crunch and rich flavor they impart. Pecans would also make a fantastic alternative if you prefer.
Serving Suggestions for Applesauce Spice Bread
This humble loaf offers a multitude of serving possibilities. My personal favorite way to enjoy a slice is in the afternoon, paired with a warm cup of black tea (with a splash of milk for creaminess). It’s the perfect pick-me-up. My husband, Brian, has a different ritual; he loves to toast a slice and spread it generously with peanut butter for a hearty and satisfying breakfast. This bread is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed plain, toasted, or even served as a light dessert with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Its comforting flavors make it suitable for any meal or snack occasion.
Smart Storage for Lasting Freshness
To ensure a whole loaf of this delectable bread lasts in our household without spoiling, I follow a simple but effective storage method. Once the bread has completely cooled, I slice it and then freeze the individual slices in convenient packages of three or four. This strategy provides us with several days’ worth of fresh-ttasting bread for breakfasts or snacks whenever we desire, while the rest remains safely and perfectly preserved in the freezer. Freezing is indeed the optimal method for maintaining the freshness and moistness of most sweet quick breads. Storing slices at room temperature can lead to them drying out quickly, and the refrigerator is even worse for bread, accelerating the drying process significantly. By freezing, you lock in the flavor and texture, ensuring that each thawed slice tastes as fresh as the day it was baked.
Applesauce and Spice Bread Recipe: Wholesome Ingredients
Crafting this healthy applesauce and spice bread requires nothing more than a few readily available, real food pantry staples. You won’t find any obscure or unusual ingredients here. Each component is wholesome and contributes to the bread’s delightful flavor and texture, which is precisely what I look for in any recipe!
One of the key elements making this bread so healthy is the thoughtful use of sweeteners. Since applesauce inherently provides a natural level of sweetness, I knew the recipe wouldn’t require much additional sugar. I was right – the entire loaf is sweetened with just one-third cup of pure maple syrup. Yet, despite this minimal amount, the bread tastes perfectly sweet and satisfying. In fact, it easily passed my ultimate “daughter test”—a critical assessment where if something tastes “too healthy,” she’s quick to let me know, usually with a grimace! This bread, however? Not a single complaint, only a simple, enthusiastic “this is good.” Absolute success!
Key Ingredients and Their Role:
- Whole Wheat Pastry Flour: This is my preferred choice for its tender crumb, which results in a softer bread compared to regular whole wheat flour. If you can’t find it, white whole wheat flour is an excellent substitute, offering similar benefits. Alternatively, a blend of 1 cup regular whole wheat flour and 1 cup all-purpose flour will also work, though the texture might be slightly denser. Using whole wheat flour significantly boosts the fiber content and nutritional value of this quick bread.
- Baking Powder, Baking Soda, and Salt: These essential leavening agents work in harmony to give the bread its rise and tender texture. Salt balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Aromatic Spices (Cinnamon, Ginger, Allspice, Nutmeg): This combination creates the signature warm, inviting flavor of the bread. Cinnamon offers warmth, ginger adds a subtle kick, allspice contributes complexity, and nutmeg rounds out the blend with its distinctive aroma. Together, they create a comforting “pumpkin pie spice” effect that perfectly complements the applesauce.
- Eggs and Oil: Eggs provide structure and moisture, while a good quality oil keeps the bread tender and rich. I personally prefer cold pressed sunflower oil for its neutral flavor and healthy fat profile in baking, but any light-flavored oil like avocado or grapeseed oil would work well.
- Applesauce: The star ingredient, applesauce, contributes natural sweetness, moisture, and a delightful fruity flavor. It also helps reduce the need for added sugars and fats.
- Pure Maple Syrup: As discussed, this natural sweetener beautifully complements the spices and apples, offering a healthier alternative to refined sugars. Opt for a good quality, pure maple syrup for the best flavor.
- Loaf Pan: An 8.5×4.5-inch loaf pan is ideal for this recipe. While I generally prefer glass bakeware for even heat distribution, metal pans work perfectly fine. This medium size can sometimes be tricky to find online in glass, so consider checking local thrift stores where they were once a standard size.
- Wire Cooling Rack: Essential for allowing air to circulate around the bread, preventing it from becoming soggy as it cools.
- Serrated Bread Knife: A good serrated knife makes slicing through quick breads effortless, ensuring clean cuts without squishing the tender loaf. This particular one is truly the best!
The beauty of this quick bread recipe lies in its simplicity. After just a few minutes of gently combining the wet ingredients with the dry mixture, you pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and bake it for approximately one hour. That’s it – a perfectly baked, fragrant loaf of bread is ready to be enjoyed!
The ease of preparation makes it incredibly convenient to bake a double batch. Imagine the joy of having one loaf for your family and another to share with a friend or neighbor. A homemade, warm loaf of this applesauce spice bread would undoubtedly make a thoughtful and special gift, especially during the festive fall season.
When your loved ones take their first bite of this incredibly delicious and wholesome bread, they’ll be absolutely enchanted. Okay, perhaps calling you an “angel in disguise” is a tad dramatic – but they will certainly think you’re a really wonderful friend, neighbor, or sister for sharing such a delightful homemade treat.
So, don’t delay! Gather your ingredients and bake some of this comforting applesauce and spice bread very soon. Your taste buds, and anyone lucky enough to share it, will thank you!
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Applesauce & Spice Bread Recipe (Whole Wheat, Maple Sweetened, Dairy Free)
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour or white whole wheat flour (see notes for alternative)
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon dry ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice*
- 1/4 teaspoons nutmeg*
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Prepare an 8.5×4.5-inch loaf pan by greasing it thoroughly or lining it with parchment paper for easy removal.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients: whole wheat pastry flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, dry ginger, allspice, and nutmeg. Whisk them together until well combined, ensuring an even distribution of leavening agents and spices.
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In a separate, smaller bowl, vigorously stir together the wet ingredients: oil, maple syrup, eggs, applesauce, and vanilla extract. Mix until these components are thoroughly combined and smooth.
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Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently, just until all the flour streaks have disappeared and the batter is moistened. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough bread. If you are using nuts, gently fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans at this stage. Spread the batter evenly into your prepared loaf pan.
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Bake the bread for 45-55 minutes. The bread is done when a wooden toothpick or skewer inserted into the center of the loaf comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, or clean.
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Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely. For longer storage and to maintain its delightful moistness, store the cooled bread at room temperature in an airtight container for a few days, or slice and freeze for extended freshness.
Notes
Nutrition
More Wholesome Bread Recipes to Discover
- Maple Sweetened Glazed Coconut Bread Recipe: A tropical twist with natural sweetness.
- Honey Sweetened Orange Zucchini Bread: A delightful way to use garden zucchini, subtly sweet and citrusy.
- Quick & Tender Hamburger Buns (or Breadsticks): Perfect for savory meals, incredibly easy to make from scratch.
- Orange Cranberry Bread Recipe: A vibrant and tangy quick bread, wonderful with either fresh or dried cranberries.
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