Description

This delicious Apple Pie Bread combines the classic flavors of apple pie in an easy-to-make, moist quick bread. Featuring shredded apples, warming apple pie spice, crunchy pecans, and a sweet cranberry touch, this recipe is topped with a buttery streusel for extra texture and flavor. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy snack, this bread requires just one loaf pan and an hour and a half from start to finish.

Ingredients

Bread Batter

1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup lightly packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons homemade apple pie spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded peeled apple (about 4 medium or 2 large)
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Streusel Topping

1/4 cup lightly packed light brown sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon homemade apple pie spice
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup chopped pecans

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Instructions

Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside.
Beat butter: In a large bowl using an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter on medium-high speed for about 30 seconds until creamy.
Add sugars: Add granulated sugar and light brown sugar to the butter and mix until well combined and smooth.
Add buttermilk and baking powder: Pour in buttermilk and baking powder, then beat until the mixture is combined.
Add eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs and pure vanilla extract and beat until fully incorporated and smooth.
Mix dry ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, homemade apple pie spice, and salt until evenly combined.
Combine dry and wet ingredients: Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed just until incorporated to avoid overmixing.
Fold in fruits and nuts: Gently fold in the shredded peeled apples, chopped pecans, and dried cranberries until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Transfer batter to pan: Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly.
Prepare streusel topping: In a small bowl, combine light brown sugar, flour, and apple pie spice. Use a pastry blender or two knives to cut in the unsalted butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Stir in the chopped pecans. Evenly spoon and gently press the streusel topping over the batter in the loaf pan.
Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 60 to 65 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
Cool and store: Remove the bread from the oven and cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Then remove the bread from the pan and cool completely on the wire rack. For best flavor and texture, wrap the bread and store overnight before slicing.

Notes

Use freshly shredded peeled apples for the best texture; Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well.
Homemade apple pie spice usually includes cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.
You can substitute dried cranberries with raisins or dried cherries if preferred.
Baking times may vary slightly depending on your oven; check doneness with a toothpick.
Storing the bread overnight helps the flavors to meld, making it more flavorful and moist.
This bread freezes well; wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Category: Baking
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American