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.
Quick Look: Cinnamon Applesauce Bread
This Cinnamon Applesauce Bread is a moist quick bread made with unsweetened applesauce, warm spices, and simple pantry ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Bake Time: 30 minutes (mini loaves) or 55-60 minutes (large loaf)
- Total Time: 40 minutes (mini loaves) or 65-70 minutes (large loaf)
- Flavor: Warm cinnamon spice
- Perfect For: Breakfast, snacks, gifting, freezer-friendly
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I made this yesterday and was so pleased with how very moist and delicious it was. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I will definitely be making this often!! Happy baking ❤️
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
Unsweetened applesauce is the best choice for applesauce bread because it adds moisture without making the bread overly sweet. Store-bought or homemade applesauce both work well.
Dense applesauce bread is usually caused by overmixing the batter or measuring too much flour. Stir just until the ingredients are combined and spoon and level the flour for the best texture.
Yes! Homemade applesauce is a great substitute for store-bought unsweetened applesauce. Keep in mind that if your homemade applesauce is sweetened or thinner in consistency, it may slightly affect the flavor and texture of the finished bread.
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.
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Cinnamon Applesauce Bread
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoon milk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease one 9×5-inch loaf pan or five mini loaf pans, or line with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the applesauce, sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and milk until combined.
- Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, and salt to the wet ingredients. Stir just until combined.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan(s). Bake for 25-30 minutes for mini loaves or 55-60 minutes for one large loaf, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- 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.
Notes
- Storage: Store cooled bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- Freezing: Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing for up to 3 months.
- Yield: Makes one 9×5-inch loaf or five mini loaves.
- Muffins: Divide the batter evenly among a muffin pan and bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Don’t Overmix: Stir the batter just until the dry ingredients are incorporated to keep the bread soft and tender.
Kathleen Voorhees says
Should I cut back on the sugar if using sweetened applesauce?
Kristin says
You definitely can. I would suggest cutting about 1/4 cup out of the recipe if using sweetened applesauce! Enjoy!
Patty Massare says
If you double the recipe, how much do you fill the 9×5″ pans?
Kristin says
About 1/2 full is what I typically stick to. If you want larger loaves, you can fill as high as 3/4 full!
Ginny says
How many regular size loaves does a single recipe make? It seems like 6 mini loaves would be very small ones.
Kristin says
I typically make one large loaf, or 5-6 mini loaves depending on fullness. I have made 2 medium loaves before with this recipe too! Enjoy!
Billy Richards says
Sprinkled brown sugar on top of unbaked bread, makes a crunchy sweet crust almost caramel
Kristin says
Oh wow, what a fabulous idea! Bet that was tasty!!
shawn-athan says
I brushed the top with melted butter and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Easy to make & really delicious.
Kristin says
Ooooo, now you’re talking! Great idea! Yum!
Donna says
Can you add walnuts to this
Kristin says
Absolutely! That would be a great addition!
Lynn says
Walnuts or even raisins
Kristin says
Great idea! Either would be a great addition!!
Carmeletia Winters says
Yum I made this today, and it’s delicious. Next time I’m going to add walnuts.
Kristin says
Yea! So glad you enjoyed! Great idea on adding walnuts next time!
Rebecca Edwards says
what about apple butter instead of apple sauce?
Kristin says
Hmmmm, good idea! I don’t see why that wouldn’t work! Keep me posted if you try it!
sweetpea says
You have a very nice site. Any way you can enlarge your font? (I don’t see a way to adjust on my compute)
Kristin says
Thanks! Unfortunately, I cannot without having to recode several things! You can always print larger to see the recipes enlarged though!!
Marsha Staley says
My family loves this same recipe made into mini-muffins. Bake for 10-12 minutes. After cooling, dip top of muffins in melted oleo and then a cinnamon-sugar mixture. Makes about 4 dozen and freeze well!
Kristin says
Oooooo, yum! Ill have to try these as muffins!
Lisa Langston says
Looks yummy! Do you have any photos of what the inside of the loaf looks like? I love seeing what a cut dessert looks like inside! Thank you!
Kristin says
I don’t, however, I plan on making this again this week and will be sure to take some more pictures to add!
Judy Doyle says
Sure looks Delicious. Wish I had some now.
Kristin says
Oh yes, this is one tasty bread!
Lynne says
Can u put apple slices in it?
Kristin says
Sure! I think that would be a great addition!
Linda Chandler says
Do you think I could add some chopped apple to the batter
Kristin says
Absolutely! I think that would be a great idea!
karen richards says
could you freeze this bread?
Kristin says
Absolutely! This bread freezes perfectly!!