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Sliced loaf of applesauce bread with crumb topping on a speckled plate, mug of coffee and slice on a side plate nearby
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Moist Applesauce Bread with Crumb Topping

A tender, cinnamon-spiced quick bread made with applesauce and topped with a buttery brown sugar crumb. One bowl, 10 minutes of prep, and your kitchen smells like fall.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword moist applesauce bread with crumb topping
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 10 slices

Ingredients

Applesauce Bread

  • 1 ¼ cups unsweetened applesauce
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts optional

Brown Sugar Crumb Topping

  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions

Make the Crumb Topping

  • In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour, melted butter, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until clumpy crumbs form. Set aside.

Make the Bread

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  • In a large bowl, stir together applesauce, melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
  • Pour the dry ingredients into the wet and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
  • Fold in chopped walnuts if using.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle the crumb topping over the surface and gently press it in.
  • Bake for 50-55 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the top browns too fast, tent with foil after 35 minutes.
  • Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

  • Unsweetened applesauce: Use unsweetened to keep the sweetness balanced. If using sweetened, reduce brown sugar by 2-3 tablespoons.
  • Don't overmix: A few lumps in the batter are fine. Overmixing makes the bread tough.
  • Storage: Wrap tightly and store at room temperature for 3-4 days, in the fridge for 1 week, or freeze individual slices for up to 3 months.
  • Topping sinks slightly: This is normal. It still bakes up crunchy and golden.