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An easy apple bread recipe that has no butter or oil, and no white sugar. Fresh apples and walnuts add texture and taste!
Each year when fall rolls around, one of the things I look forward to most is baking sweet recipes that are centered around apples. Along with pumpkin, apple is the quintessential autumn flavor. Even though fall isn’t quite here yet, I’m sharing an apple bread recipe today, and you are all in for a treat, literally!
Picking the Right Apple
I have made this bread with both Honeycrisp and Gala apples. Both versions were delicious, and the texture was the same. My honest opinion is that the Honeycrisp apples have more taste, but of course that’s a personal choice. Granny Smith is the traditional go-to apple for baking. Other favorites are Jonathan Pink Lady, and Braeburn.
How To Make
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Finely dice the washed apples. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, or bowl of a stand mixer, combine sour cream, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients in two increments. Stir well between additions. Make sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
- Gently fold in apples and half of the walnuts by hand with a large spatula.
- Divide the batter into prepared bread pans. (I use Baker’s Joy to prepare my baking pans.)
- Baking times:
- Large pan (9 x 5 in.) = 50-60 minutes
- Small pans (3 x 5.5 in.) = 25-30 minutes
- Halfway through baking time, sprinkle loaves with remaining walnuts.
- Baking times are approximate. Loaves are done when a knife or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in pans on a rack for 5 minutes and then remove. Slice when completely cool.
Apple Bread Recipe Tips + Substitutions
- This apple quick bread recipe stays fresh for several days if stored in an air-tight container, or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. It actually tastes better the second day! After two days, store it in the refrigerator.
- Baking times are approximate because all ovens vary a little. Watch the loaves closely at the end, so they don’t get too brown.
- For best results, use the small loaf pans. Using a large loaf pan makes it difficult to get the middle of the loaf completely done.
- I did not peel my apples, but if you don’t like apple peel in your baked goods, by all mean remove it!
- Any kind of nuts can be used. Almonds or pecans would be delicious.
- Instead of sprinkling walnuts on top of the loaves, add a layer of cinnamon sugar.
This apple bread recipe can definitely be made without the walnuts. Although they add taste and texture, it’s delicious if the apples are the star of the show.
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Apple Bread Recipe with Walnuts
Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 cups apples (about 2 large apples, finely diced)
- 1 cup walnuts (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Finely dice the washed apples. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, or bowl of a stand mixer, combine sour cream, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Add flour mixture to sour cream mixture in two increments, mixing well between additions. Make sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
- Gently fold in apples and half of the walnuts by hand with a large spatula.
- Divide into prepared bread pans. (I use Baker’s Joy to prepare my baking pans.)
- Baking times: Large pan (9 x 5 in.) = 50-60 minutes Small pans (3 x 5.5 in.) = 25-30 minutes
- Halfway through baking time, top loaves with remaining walnuts.
- Baking times are approximate. Loaves are done when a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in pans for 5 minutes and then remove. Slice when completely cool.
Notes
Nutrition
If you make this recipe, and love it, please come back to leave a comment and a 5-star review. I would really appreciate it, and it would help me so much. Thank you
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I have made all your recipes and my husband is obsessed with them. He always asked me if it’s Ann’s recipe. Everything is so delicious. Thank you!!!
I will definitely try this recipe; it sounds like a winner.
I wish you lived in my neighborhood; I love everything you do.
I usually make a banana and chocolate chip bread.This recipe looks yummy,think I will have to try it.
hi ann, pinned and plan to make! and thanks for the tip to use smaller pans.
laura
This looks soo yummy, Thank you Ann
Looks tasty!
I made the Apple Walnut Bread and it was delicious and a keeper recipe! Good to know it’s a tried and true recipe. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Robin! Yes…I use Baker’s Joy. Enjoy the bread!
Looks delicious! I think I will try it out this weekend! Thanks for sharing!
This is the kind of recipe that reminds me of fall! I love making fresh breads with the fruit and nut ingredients, and I am thinking that this one will find its way into my recipe collection! Can’t wait to try it!!
Oh my…these look amazing. I cannot wait to make your bread recipe.
Thanks for always delivering the best posts!
This looks perfect as a little gift for my pastor and wife. Thanks for posting this recipe!
Looks and sounds so yummy.