Moist Apple Bread Recipe with Cinnamon Walnut Crunch

Abby Marlow

This moist apple bread is packed with tart apples, toasted walnuts, and a hint of cinnamon sugar on top. It’s easy to make, beginner-friendly, and perfect for breakfast, snacks, or gifting. Each slice is tender, flavorful, and guaranteed to bring cozy comfort to your kitchen.

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1 5

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American, Homemade Baking

Servings 10 servings

Calories 180 kcal

Ingredients

½ cup walnut halves raw
2 cups tart apples cored, peeled, and diced (Granny Smith or Cortland, about 2 medium)
1 ½ cups whole wheat white flour or pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons canola oil or light olive oil/coconut oil, melted & cooled
2 tablespoons milk any kind
½ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Optional Topping:

1 tablespoon coarse sugar sparkling or turbinado
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly coat an 8×4-inch loaf pan with baking spray.
Spread walnuts on a baking sheet and toast 8–12 minutes, stirring once. Chop when cooled.
In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
In another bowl, whisk applesauce, oil, milk, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
Add wet ingredients to dry. Stir gently until just combined; the batter will be thick.
Fold in apples and walnuts using a spatula, pressing gently to distribute.
Spread batter into the loaf pan, smooth the top, and sprinkle optional topping.
Bake 25 minutes, tent with foil, then bake 20 more minutes. Cool 10 minutes in pan, then transfer to a wire rack.

Notes

For the best apple bread, use tart apples like Granny Smith to balance sweetness. For a twist, swap walnuts with pecans or drizzle a light glaze over the cooled loaf.

Keyword apple bread, cinnamon apple bread, easy apple bread recipe, moist apple bread, walnut apple bread