Moist & Easy Applesauce Bread Recipe

This easy applesauce bread recipe is a hearty and moist quick bread that everyone in the family will love. Goes together in no time and freezes well.

*This post was originally published in 2015. It’s been updated with all new images, more information, and fresh source links. I’ve also slightly adjusted the ingredients so this bread is healthier. Enjoy!

This easy applesauce bread is so moist it melts in your mouth. It’s sweet…but not too sweet. There are no chunks, nuts, or other things that kids might not like, so it’s the perfect family-friendly snack or dessert. I made four small loaves, but this batter would also make great muffins. Mini muffins would make an easy breakfast on the go. I love that this bread rises in the middle and cracks on the top, which makes a fluffier, lighter bread.

Easy Applesauce Bread Ingredients

• Brown sugar: provides a hearty hint of molasses.
• Coconut oil: a healthier choice than canola oil. You want to slightly melt solid coconut oil to liquid form before measuring. You don’t want it hot, just melted. You can also substitute an equal amount of softened butter, but the bread texture will be different.
• Eggs: binds the bread batter together.
• Fat free plain Greek yogurt: a good substitute for sour cream, which was used in the original recipe. Normally it’s advised to add 1 teaspoon of baking soda per cup of fat free yogurt. Since this recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of baking powder, I left the baking soda out.
• Pure vanilla extract: adds flavor.
• Flour: the base of every bread recipe.
• Oats: thickens the batter and adds a nutty texture.
• Baking powder: leavening needed for the bread to rise.
• Salt: flavor balancer.
• Cinnamon: other spices can be substituted for part of the cinnamon. Nutmeg or allspice would be good choices.
• Unsweetened applesauce: adds moisture and a delightful apple flavor.
• Other tasty additions: raisins, chopped walnuts or pecans, sliced almonds.

How To Make

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl with a hand mixer, or in the bowl of a stand mixer, combine brown sugar, oil, eggs, yogurt, and vanilla on medium speed.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, oats, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon.
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in 2 increments. Make sure to combine well and scrape sides of bowl.
• Stir in applesauce by hand with a large spatula.
• Pour into 4 prepared small bread pans.
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until knife inserted in center of loaf comes out clean.
• Cool slightly and then remove from pans.

Is brown sugar better for you than white sugar?

Because it’s made from molasses, brown sugar contains trace amounts of minerals, so it’s a slightly healthier choice than white sugar. This is a matter of debate among foodies! Most will say that nutritionally speaking, brown sugar and white sugar are the same. If you’re wondering, I’m with the “yes, it’s healthier” team. Every little bit helps.