Cinnamon Applesauce Bread

Cinnamon Applesauce Bread is an easy-to-make, incredibly moist quick bread filled with warm cinnamon spice and made with simple pantry ingredients. This easy applesauce bread recipe comes together in about 10 minutes before it’s ready for the oven.

This past week, I was in the mood to do some baking! Since I wasn’t quite ready for pumpkin yet (if you are, you’ll love my Libby’s Pumpkin Bread), I decided to make a few batches of this Cinnamon Applesauce Bread instead. If you’ve never made applesauce bread before, don’t let the applesauce fool you. You won’t taste the apple, but it keeps the bread incredibly moist while the cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice add just the right amount of flavor.

I made two batches, which gave me 10 mini loaves (or two 9×5 loaves if you prefer). I kept a few for my family, froze some for later, and shared the rest with friends. My kids declared it their new favorite bread, and my hubby said it reminded him of spice cake after just one slice.

Ingredient Notes

See printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for ingredient amounts and step by step directions.

• Unsweetened Applesauce: I use unsweetened applesauce because it keeps the bread moist without making it overly sweet. Homemade applesauce also works well. If using sweetened applesauce, you may want to reduce the sugar slightly.
• Vegetable Oil: Melted coconut oil can be substituted if preferred.
• Eggs: Room temperature eggs mix more easily into the batter.
• All-Purpose Flour: Spoon and level the flour for the best texture.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg & Pumpkin Pie Spice: This warm spice blend gives the bread its signature flavor, just like in my Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts recipe.

Variations

• Raisins or Dried Cranberries: Fold about ½ cup into the batter before baking.
• Walnuts or Pecans: Stir in ½ to 1 cup chopped nuts for added crunch.
• Fresh Apples: Fold 1 peeled and diced apple into the batter for extra texture and apple flavor. If you enjoy apple quick breads, you’ll also love my Snickerdoodle Apple Bread.
• Oil: Substitute melted coconut oil for the vegetable oil if preferred.
• Loaves or Muffins: Bake this recipe as mini loaves, one large 9×5 loaf, or muffins.
• Crumb Topping: Mix ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup oats, ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and 3 Tablespoons melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the batter before baking. If you enjoy cinnamon treats, you’ll also love my Snickerdoodle Bread.

How to Make Cinnamon Applesauce Bread

Step 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease one 9×5 loaf pan or five mini loaf pans, or line them with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the applesauce, sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and milk until combined to create the applesauce mixture.

Step 2. Add the flour mixture (flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, and salt) to the wet ingredients. Stir just until combined.

Step 3. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan(s). Bake for 30 minutes for mini loaves or 55-60 minutes for one large loaf, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 4. Remove from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Storage & Make-Ahead

• Room Temperature: Allow the bread to cool completely, then store in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 3 days.
• Refrigerator: Store cooled applesauce bread in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
• Freezer: Wrap the completely cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. Place in a freezer-safe zip-top bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight at room temperature before serving.
• Make Ahead: Prepare the batter and pour it into the prepared loaf pan(s). Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, add a few extra minutes to the baking time if the batter is still cold. If you love baking ahead, be sure to try my Banana Bread with Mayo. It’s another easy quick bread that stores and freezes wonderfully for later.

Quick Bread Baking Times

• Full Loaf: Bake a 9×5-inch loaf for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Mini Loaves: Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking for doneness around the 25-minute mark.
• Muffins: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cinnamon Applesauce Bread Recipe FAQs

More Apple Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed this cinnamon applesauce bread, be sure to check out a few more of my favorite apple recipes below. They’re perfect for breakfast, dessert, or fall baking.

Tried this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and let me know what you think in the comments! You can also follow me on Pinterest for even more easy, family-friendly recipes.