Caramel Apple Bread
Caramel apple bread is the fall version of banana bread. This sweet quick bread has all of the flavors of apple pie with a delicious caramel icing on top.
This easy apple bread recipe is my go-to in the fall. That’s right, I’m team Apple all the way 🙂 . Not that I won’t eat a slice of pumpkin bundt cake or pumpkin pie dip….but my heart lies with cinnamon sugar baked apple slices, caramel apple dip, and this delicious apple loaf.
We make this recipe with fresh, in-season apples, nuts, and just enough apple pie spices to give the bread a perfect flavor.
It smells incredible while it’s baking so you will get all the cozy fall vibes and be so ready to dig in as soon as it comes out of the oven! I have to resist the temptation until it cools enough to add an amazing caramel icing on top …it’s worth it!
Quick breads aren’t just for all. We also have a great recipe for peanut butter chocolate chip banana bread, lemon loaf, and a cranberry orange bread that is SO good!
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Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you are going to need for this apple pie bread recipe. Where possible, we point out what you can use as a substitute.
- Brown sugar – You’ll need this for both the bread batter and the glaze on top.
- Vegetable oil – You can substitute up to ⅓ of a cup of oil for ⅓ of a cup of applesauce to help reduce calories and fat if you like.
- Eggs
- All purpose flour – You can try to make this gluten free using a gluten-free all purpose flour.
- Leavening agents – You’ll need both baking powder and baking soda.
- Spices – We use Kosher salt and Apple Pie Spice. In a pinch, you could use about 3 tablespoons of cinnamon combined with 2 teaspoons of both allspice and nutmeg.
- Granny Smith apple – You could use another tart apple if you prefer, but avoid sweeter apples since they have too much moisture.
- Chopped pecans – We love pecans, but you could use slivered almonds or walnuts instead.
- Heavy cream – The heavy cream is to make the glaze on top.
- Powdered sugar – This is for the glaze, so do not substitute with granulated sugar since it will become gritty and have a weird texture.
Instructions
Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 350°F. As it is heating, grease a 9 x 5 -inch loaf pan and line the bottom with a piece of parchment paper. This will help keep the bread from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Step 2 – Combine the wet ingredients. Place the brown sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs in the bowl of your stand mixer and mix with the paddle attachment until smooth.
Step 3 – Mix the dry ingredients. In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and apple pie spice. Stir them all together until well mixed.
Step 4 – Make the batter. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and gently mix until they are fully combined. Finally, use a spatula or wooden spoon to fold in the chopped apples and pecans.
Step 5 – Bake the bread. Carefully pour the batter into the pan and bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. When done baking, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the bread from the pan and finish cooling on a wire rack.
Step 6 – Make the glaze. Once the apple bread has cooled, combine the butter and packed brown sugar in a saucepan set over medium heat. When it begins to bubble, let it cook for 2 minutes while stirring vigorously.
Next, add the heavy cream and continue to stir while cooking for another 30 seconds. Finally, remove the pot from the heat and add the powdered sugar, stirring everything together until it forms a thick frosting.
Before the frosting cools, pour it over the top of the apple bread and use a knife to spread it out evenly. The frosting will cool quickly so make sure you are ready to do this as soon as it has formed.
How to Lighten it Up
If you are concerned about your calories, you can substitute out some of the oil. In its place, you can use applesauce as a lower calorie option. You can substitute applesauce for oil using a 1:1 ratio.
However, we strongly recommend keeping at least ⅓ cup of oil for the bread.
What is the Best Apple for Baking Bread?
Granny Smith is the go to baking apple. It is a tart apple with low moisture. You want a low moisture apple so the cake will not become too soggy.
If you don’t want to use Granny Smith or can’t find them, some other common options that will work include:
- Jonagold
- Pink Lady
- Honey Crisp
- Braeburn
- Cortland
How to Make it Ahead of Time
This is a great bread to take to a brunch or get together or just to have on hand as a tasty breakfast option. To make it ahead, bake the bread and allow it to cool completely before wrapping tightly with plastic wrap or place it in a sealed, airtight container.
Unless you have to, it is best to not slice it until you are ready to serve it. This helps keep the moisture inside the bread.
Should You Refrigerate Apple Bread?
Apple bread is generally safe to keep on the counter as long as you keep it wrapped tight or covered. It should last for about 2 to 3 days.
If you plan to store it for longer, make sure to tightly wrap it and place in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Can You Freeze It?
Yes, you can freeze the bread, but we suggest not frosting it until you are ready to serve.
To freeze, bake the bread according to instructions, just skip the glaze. Allow it to cool completely before wrapping in plastic wrap. Next, wrap it all in foil.
You can store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you are ready to eat it, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours and then let it come to room temperature on the counter.
Finally, make the glaze and spread it over the bread before slicing and serving.
Looking for More Easy Bread Recipes?
- Apple Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread
- Orange Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
- Overnight Refrigerator Yeast Rolls
- Garlic Parmesan Popovers
- Gruyere Popovers
- Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls
- Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls
- More Bread Recipes…
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Caramel Apple Bread
Ingredients
Bread:
- 1 cup Brown sugar
- 2/3 cup Vegetable oil, See note #1
- 3 large Eggs
- 2 cups All purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons Baking powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons Apple Pie Spice
- 1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled and cored apple cut in 1/2-inch chunks
- 1 cup Chopped pecans
Glaze:
- 4 tablespoons Butter
- ½ cup Packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Heavy cream
- ½ cup Powdered sugar, sifted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Grease a 9 x 5 -inch loaf pan and line the bottom with a piece of parchment paper.
- In the bowl of your stand mixer add brown sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs.Mix with paddle attachment until smooth.
- In a separate large bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and apple pie spice. Stir together until well mixed.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients mixing gently until they are fully combined.
- Fold in the chopped apple and pecans.
- Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- When done baking remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Then remove from the pan and cool on a wire rack.
- Once the apple bread is cool make the frosting by adding the butter and packed brown sugar to a sauce pan and heating over medium heat. When it begins to bubble let cook for 2 minutes, stirring vigorously.
- Add the heavy cream and continue to stir cooking for 30 seconds more.
- Remove the pot from the heat and add the powdered sugar, stirring everything together until it forms a thick frosting.
- Pour over the top of the apple bread and use a knife to spread it evenly. It cools quickly so be fast!
Notes
- You can substitute up to ⅓ cup of applesauce for ⅓ cup of vegetable oil.
Nutrition
Looks tasty. I just tried that granola the other day and enjoyed it! It’s definitely a unique taste for granola though. 🙂
Visiting from Thrifty Thursday.
I agree, it was perfect in the bread though. It added a great texture.
Looks amazing!!! Love it! Thanksf or sharing.
Thank you for the wonderful idea!
This looks wonderful! I can’t wait to go apple picking in the coming weeks for all the yummy apple recipes out there…this Caramel Apple Bread included! Thanks for sharing! Pinned!
Yummy! I’ll take a slice with a cup of hot apple cider or pumpkin latte.
Omygosh…can not wait to try this…sounds and looks so delicious.
The flavors in this must be incredible…looks DELICIOUS!! #client
Ladies, this is looking delicious!
I’ll be featuring your recipe on the blog tomorrow… THANK YOU SO MUCH for partying with us!
xo
Desirée
This is a great recipe! Would love to make in the fall!
Yum! Thanks for linking up at Best of the Weekend!
Apparently Bear Naked has discontinued the Sea Salt Caramel Apple granola….it was my favorite and I wanted to try this recipe…. 🙁
Oh no! Maybe you can try a substitution? Add dehydrated apples and caramel bits?
Looks delicious. I’m going to bake this in the next few days.
Does this have to be put in the fridge?
I didn’t refrigerate mine but it also didn’t last more than 2 days! I kept it in an airtight container on the counter. If you think it is going to sit around longer than 1-2 days I would suggest refrigerating.