Apple Bread

Apples just might be the best fruit of my life. I know they're stereotypically a Fall fruit, but who am I to judge? There are a million different kinds and they're crisp and juicy and beautiful and they smell divine. Plus, they're always in the store and they always look good. So I always have tons on hand.

Really, it's not that I can't eat a 5lb bag of apples on my own, it's just that I occasionally need something a little more dessert-like. This apple bread is so moist and fragrant and packed with fresh fruit. And since it feels like Fall outside right now, despite the fact that it's actually April, I feel perfectly justified in making a loaf or two of warm sweet bread. Enjoy!

Apple Bread [click to print]
Makes one loaf

• 1 large granny smith apple
• 1 c. sugar
• 1/3 c. unsalted butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 c. water
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1-2/3 c. flour
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder

1) Preheat oven to 350 F. Line loaf pan with parchment paper or coat generously with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

2) Use cheese grater to shred apple, with or without skin. You should have about 1 cup.

3) Combine sugar, butter and eggs in mixing bowl and mix well. Beat in shredded apple, water and vanilla. Whisk together flour, cinnamon, soda, salt and powder; add to apple mixture, stirring until just combined.

4) Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 50-60 minutes or until the top is browned and springs back when lightly touched. Allow to cool in pan about 5 minutes, then remove to wire rack to cool completely.

5) To serve, spoon 1 to 2 teaspoons of caramel sauce into depression in center of warm mini bundts (or drizzle over top of cupcakes) and enjoy!

Source: Adapted from Aunt Betty

Choco-nana Crunch Bread

I'll be honest. I was a little skeptical about the success-ability of another version of the old banana bread. But with spotty bananas, a new bag of granola and a hankering for chocolate, what else was I supposed to do? I obviously had no choice.

With dark chocolate morsels and clusters of crunchy granola packed into every bite, this stuff is like a dream. The banana flavor isn't really strong, so don't worry about being overwhelmed by fruitiness. And even more good news, even after a couple days this bread is still awesomely moist.

Choco-Nana Crunch Bread [click to print]
Makes one loaf

• 1/2 c. applesauce
• 1 c. sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2-1/2 c. flour
• 1/4 c. plus 2 T. cocoa powder
• 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3 medium bananas, mashed (about 1 c.)
• 1 c. whole milk
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 c. granola (I used some Open Nature Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Heaven)
• 1/2 c. dark chocolate chips

1) Preheat oven to 350 F. Generously coat 9x5 loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. 

2) In bowl of stand mixer, beat applesauce, sugar and eggs until smooth. In separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, powder, soda and salt. In another bowl, whisk together bananas, milk and vanilla. Beat in half of flour mixture, then all of banana mixture, then remaining flour mixture, stirring until well combined. Stir in granola and chocolate chips.

3) Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 60-75 minutes or until top springs back lightly when touched. Cool about 10 minutes in pan before removing to wire rack to cool completely. 

Pumpkin Banana Oat Bread

I did it again. I bought more bananas than I could possibly eat before they turned all spotty and mushy. And since my mom isn't here to eat my brown bananas (I promise I don't force them on her, she actually enjoys them!), I did the only logical thing: feed my banana bread addiction with another sweet variety!

I know it's not technically pumpkin season, but that lonely can of pumpkin puree in my pantry has been staring me down for months. Plus, it's stinkin cold outside and I had to scrape frost off my windshield this morning and I worked out for nearly a full hour this afternoon and all I want is something warm and cozy to stuff in my mouth. There. Now I feel justified.

Pumpkin Banana Oat Bread (no butter or oil added!) [click to print]
Makes one loaf

• 1-1/4 c. flour
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 1 c. old fashioned oats
• 2/3 c. pumpkin puree
• 1 medium, very ripe banana, mashed (about 1/3 c.)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

1) Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 9x4 loaf pan with parchment paper, allowing at least 2" overhang on each side of pan, or generously coat with nonstick cooking spray. 

2) In bowl of stand mixer, whisk together all dry ingredients, including sugar, spices and oats. Beat in remaining ingredients and mix until well combined. 

3) Pour batter into pan and bake 50-60 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly. Allow to cool in pan about 10 minutes, then remove to wire rack to cool completely. To serve, dust with powdered sugar. 

Source: Jasey's Crazy Daisy

Hazelnut Ripple Banana Bread

I had a jar of Nutella stashed in my pantry, staring me down. And then something happened to it and it disappeared. So...I didn't buy that stuff again until just recently due to my severe lack of self control. And now here it is, half a jar sitting all warm and creamy between layers of fluffy, moist banana bread, speckled with chunks of hazelnuts. Oh, my goodness.

I tried a few different recipes before getting this one down. Other versions swirl the Nutella through the top of the loaf, but that lets the chocolate overcook and get kind of dry and crumbly and burned before the bread is actually done baking. If you make a thick gooey layer in the middle, it stays exactly that way---thick and gooey. 

This is a perfect cold day sweet bread, especially if you eat it straight out of the oven with a glass of milk. Or in one hand on your way to work. Or for a light midday snack. It's pretty much good whenever. So yum.

Hazelnut Ripple Banana Bread [click to print]
Makes one loaf

• 1/2 c. hazelnuts, coarsely chopped
• 1-1/2 c. flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 3 very ripe, extremely spotty bananas, mashed
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 1/3 c. unsalted butter, melted
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 c. hazelnut spread (i.e. Nutella)

1) Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 9x4 loaf pan with parchment paper, allowing 2-3" overhang on each side of pan, or coat generously with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

2) On another baking sheet, spread hazelnuts in an even layer and toast in oven about 12-15 minutes; or until fragrant and just barely browned. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Whisk together with flour, soda and salt; set aside.

3) In large bowl, mix bananas, sugar, butter, egg and vanilla, beating until well combined. Add flour mixture, in about two additions, mixing until just incorporated. 

4) Pour about half of the banana batter into the pan. Heat hazelnut spread about 15 seconds in microwave to soften and spread evenly over batter. Scoop remaining batter over last layer and spread evenly. Bake 50-60 minutes. Allow to cool in pan about 10 minutes, then remove to wire rack to cool completely. 

Source: Adapted from Lovin From the Oven

Cranberry Almond Bread

There's just something about cranberries that make me think twice. They're just so red and tart and scary looking...especially when they're dried. They just look too much like raisins to be trusted. But almond, on the other hand, I am absolutely in love with. This recipe dares you to combine these two flavors into a delicate sweet bread that is so worth the almond flour. 

You really can substitute the almond flour for the regular old all-purpose kind but the flavor profile won't be quite the same. And put down that almond extract. If you add too much, it will start to taste more artificial than delicious. So now that we're over that little issue, please bake this up and save me a nice thick slice for breakfast.

Cranberry Almond Bread [click to print]
Makes 1 loaf

• 1-1/4 c. flour
• 1/4 c. almond flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 c. cranberries, fresh, frozen or dried
• 1/4 c. milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. almond extract
• 1/2 c. butter
• 1 c. sugar
• 2 eggs

1) Preheat oven to 350 F. Line loaf pan with parchment paper, allowing about 3 inches overhang on either side of pan, or coat generously with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

2) Whisk together flours, salt and baking powder. Toss cranberries in flour mixture to coat and set aside. In another bowl, whisk together milk and extracts; set aside.

3) In bowl of stand mixer, cream sugar and butter. Add eggs one at a time, incorporating well between each addition. Alternately add flour and milk mixtures, beginning and ending with flour, in about about three additions.

4) Pour batter in prepared pan and bake for 55-60 minutes or until the top is golden and it springs back when lightly touched.

Source: Adapted from Sweet Posy Dreams

Lemon Poppyseed Yogurt Bread

Every morning when I open my fridge, sitting right beside that head of cauliflower and bag of carrots, is a giant tub of vanilla yogurt just staring me down. Like it has any business looking at me like that. I've eaten most of it with chopped fresh fruit or mixed up in a smoothie, but I need more variety!

So sweet bread it is.

These cute little mini loaves are practically healthy, packed with fresh lemon juice, yogurt and olive oil. And they're so soft and moist with a gentle lemon flavor with the glaze giving them a nice, tangy punch. Mmm!

Serve this bread up for a lovely brunch sometime. And please invite me. 

Lemon Poppyseed Yogurt Bread [click to print]
makes 4 mini loaves OR 1 regular loaf


For the bread

• 1-1/2 c. flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1-1/4 c. vanilla yogurt
• 1 c. sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 T. lemon zest
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. lemon extract
• 1/2 c. olive oil
• 2 T. poppy seeds

For the glaze

• 1/2 c. lemon juice
• 1/4 c. sugar
• 1 T. honey

Preheat oven to 350 F and coat mini loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray. 

Whisk together flour, powder and salt; set aside. In separate bowl, whisk together yogurt, sugar, eggs, zest and extracts. Whisk in oil and seeds. Pour into loaf pans. Bake 20-25 minutes or until edges are golden and top springs back when touched lightly. Allow to cool. 

For the glaze, combine juice, sugar and honey in small saucepan. Heat on medium low until sugar is dissolved. Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 7-8 minutes or until slightly thickened. Allow to cool slightly then pour over loaves and serve. 

Source: Adapted from Novice Baker

Maple Pumpkin Bread

It was nasty humid the other day and I was baking bread. Ridiculous, I know. I just needed something fragrant and warm and our crazy weather patterns have got my internal cravings all confused. But my arteries were begging for something that wouldn't automatically cut off the blood flow to my entire body.

So, you guessed it. I've got another flavor-packed bread with no added sugar and it's butter-free! This time pumpkin and maple are hanging out together and it's a very tasty thing.

Maple Pumpkin Bread (No sugar added, Dairy Free) [click to print]
Makes one loaf

• 2 c. flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. ginger
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. cloves
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3/4 c. maple syrup
• 1 c. pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 eggs

Preheat oven to 250 F. Line loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving a few inches overhang on each side, or generously coat loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. 

Whisk together flour, soda, spices and salt; set aside. In mixing bowl, beat syrup, pumpkin and vanilla until well combined. Add eggs. Stir in dry ingredients and continue mixing until just combined. 

Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 60-65 minutes or until done. 

Source: Adapted from Banana Honey Bread

Pumpkin Gingerbread

Every Christmas, my mom and I (and sometimes my sister) would bake and bake and bake. We'd scoop and cut and slice probably hundreds of cookies and sweet breads, and, thanks to our benevolent taste testers who would die before we delivered any less-than-perfect treats to our neighbors, we ended the whole project with just barely enough to go around. My mom would sweetly scoot us kids out the door, reminding us to smile and sing loud enough for our old neighbors to hear, and off we went! My favorite house was right next door, at Reverend Fred Donaldson, or "The Rev" as his license plate said. He was a giant of a man, was missing part of one finger on his left hand and always sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" right back to us in his booming choir voice.

I know it's a little past Christmas and pumpkin season now, but this has gotta be one of my absolute favorite sweet breads. There's nothing like the smell of pumpkin and ginger baking in a hot oven to warm up your home and singing voice!

Pumpkin Gingerbread [click to print]
Makes 1 loaf

1 c sugar
1/2 butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1/4 c molasses
1 c. pumpkin puree
1-3/4 c. flour
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (OR 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp nutmeg)
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda

Whisk together dry ingredients and set aside. Combine sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla; mix until smooth. Add molasses and pumpkin; mix until blended. Add dry ingredients in about 3 additions, scraping, scraping sides of bowl as needed. Mix until blended.

Coat loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Pour batter into pan and bake at 350 for 55-65 minutes. Reduce heat by 25 degrees if using glass loaf pan.

Source: Adapted from AllRecipes

Cinnamon Banana Bread

Every year at Christmas, my family exchanges names. A few years ago, my sister in law, Breezi Queen of Scrapbooking and Blogger Extraordinaire, made this really cute cookbook for me. The entire book, including each and every page, is covered in plastic in an effort to protect itself from this above-averagely-messy baker. One of my all time favorite recipes from this book is "Betty's Banana Bread." I'm not sure exactly who Miss Betty is, but she's related somehow and made (makes?) awesome banana bread. Here's my version of this easy sweet bread!

Cinnamon Banana Bread   [click to print]
1 c. sugar
1/3 c. butter, softened
2 eggs
3-4 bananas, really really ripe and black
1/3 c. water
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1-2/3 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 T. cinnamon

Mash bananas well. Whisk in water and vanilla. Set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, soda, salt, powder and cinnamon; set aside. Cream together sugar and butter until pale yellow and fluffy-ish. Add eggs one at a time, incorporating well between each addition. With mixer on low speed, add half of dry mixture, then all of banana mixture, then the rest of dry mixture; this should only take about a minute. Generously coat loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Pour batter in pan. Generously sprinkle cinnamon sugar over top of batter; this will give the bread a nice crisp crust. Bake at 350 for 55-60 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Sugar Crusted Pumpkin Bread

For some reason, the winter season forces visions of sweet bread or quick bread or whatever you wanna call it to run through my mind way faster than any of those dancing little sugar plums. You think I'm kidding. But seriously, I think my mom originally started baking sweet bread at the holidays because it seemed like it would disappear more slowly than any of those darling Christmas cookies, but she was wrong. 

I started working on this recipe last year and couldn't get it quite right until I just now. This bread is so perfectly moist and has a bit stronger hit of ginger than most pumpkin bread and is so ridiculously delicious!

Sugar Crusted Pumpkin Bread [click to print]
Makes one loaf

For the topping: 

• 1/4 c. flour
• 1/4 c. brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 T. butter, cold, cut into 1/4" cubes

For the bread: 

• 1 c. (about half of a 15oz. can) pumpkin puree
• 1/4 c. whole milk
• 1 T. vanilla extract
• 1-3/4 c. flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 1/3 c. butter, softened
• 2 eggs

1) Prepare topping by whisking together flour, sugar and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter until mixture forms crumbles about the size of peas. Set aside.

2) Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 9x4 loaf pan with parchment paper, allowing a few inches of overhang on either side, or generously coat with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

3) Whisk together pumpkin, milk and vanilla; set aside. In separate bowl, whisk together flour, soda, powder, salt and spices; set aside.

4) In bowl of stand mixer, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, incorporating well between each addition. With mixer on low, alternately add flour and milk mixtures, beginning and ending with flour. Pour batter into prepared pan and top with streusel mixture.

5) Bake 50-55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan about 12 minutes, then lift parchment to remove bread from pan. Cool on wire rack and serve with fresh whipped cream!

Source: Sugar Rush Original!