Apples are synonymous with the autumn season, as is baking, which is why we decided to bring them together in our favorite apple walnut bread recipe. This is a classic, comforting autumn recipe that is sure to warm you and your guests from the inside out.
While fall is our favorite time of year to whip up this bread, we kept this recipe simple and easy to make year-round by using applesauce as opposed to whole apples. The applesauce also gives the bread a moist texture while still holding a good crumb. This doesn’t mean you can’t add a bit of chopped apple in the batter if you wish. Some thin apple slices on top would also make it quite a show stopper.
This yummy bread is versatile and can be served for breakfast or as a dessert. It even makes a great addition to a tea party menu.
If you are looking to make this into a breakfast bread, create a crumble using our maple dust, some butter, and flour to add to the top in the last few minutes of baking. This will give it a coffee cake vibe. In this case we just used the maple dust as a garnish with a brush of warm butter on top of the bread to create a nice crystalline crunch with just a hint of sweetness.Serving Suggestions
This apple walnut bread recipe is best served warm, with a slathering of butter or clotted cream on top. However, served at room temperature is fine, too. If you make it ahead and store it in the fridge, be sure to let it come up to room temperature before serving.
For an additional pop of apple flavor, try serving it with a bit of apple butter. You might even want to try our chai infused apple butter for a spicy kick that will blend perfectly with the flavors already in the bread.
Teatime Pairings
For pairing this bread with tea, we think our cinnamon apple spice tea is perfect, for obvious reasons. Other great options include our Spice of Life spicy cinnamon tea or our Heritage Blend maple black tea. Anything with a bold flavor and a hint of apple spice is a great choice.
Thinking of adding it to a tea party menu? Keep the apple theme going by going with a deluxe apple slaw sandwich, an autumn arugula salad, and apple blue cheese sweet potato bites. This apple walnut bread would finish out the meal as dessert, or it could even be served as a side with the salad.
For a more brunch-themed tea party, try serving a trio of breakfast sliders. This bread would also be a great accompaniment to our squash quiche, which features a number of fall veggies. Finish it out with a fall-inspired fruit salad and, of course, thick slices of apple walnut bread.
However you choose to serve this bread, it is sure to wow your guests as well as help usher in the fall season.
Apple Walnut Bread Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/3 cup butter, melted, plus more for garnish
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons half & half
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 2 teaspoons maple dust
Directions:
- Prepare an 8x4-inch loaf pan with grease or spray and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in bowl. Set aside.
- Combine all remaining ingredients except walnuts and maple dust in another bowl. Beat at medium speed until well mixed. Slowly add flour mixture; beat at low speed until just moistened.
- Stir in walnuts with a spoon.
- Spoon batter into prepared pan.
- Bake 55-65 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with maple dust.
- Cool 5 minutes in pan, then remove from pan to cooling rack.
- Serve warm.
