Oh my goodness, if you are looking for that perfect something to fill your kitchen with the cozy, warm smells of fall and Thanksgiving, you HAVE to try this applesauce bread! I’ve been making this for years, and it’s honestly become a staple at our holiday table. It’s just SO moist and packed with those classic warm spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, a little clove – that just scream Thanksgiving. I remember one year, the weather was particularly chilly, and the whole house just lit up with this incredible aroma while this bread baked. It’s simple, but it feels so special, and it’s one of those recipes that just always turns out perfectly for me, every single time. Trust me, your guests will rave!

Why You’ll Love This Applesauce Bread for Thanksgiving

Get ready to fall in love with this simple yet sensational quick bread! Here’s why it’s a Thanksgiving must-have:

Incredibly Moist: The applesauce makes it unbelievably tender and keeps it from drying out.
Warm Spices: A perfect blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for that cozy fall flavor.
Super Easy: Seriously, you can whip this up in no time – perfect for busy holiday prep!
Crowd-Pleaser: It’s a comforting, delicious addition to any Thanksgiving spread.

Gathering Your Ingredients for Applesauce Bread for Thanksgiving

Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready for this amazing applesauce bread! Having everything prepped makes the whole baking process so much smoother, especially when you’re juggling Thanksgiving preparations. You’ll want to have all these goodies measured out and ready to go. Trust me, it makes a world of difference!

Dry Ingredients for Applesauce Bread for Thanksgiving

First up, we’ve got our dry ingredients. Grab your flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. It’s super important to whisk these all together really well in a big bowl. This just makes sure all those lovely spices and leavening agents get distributed evenly throughout the batter, so every bite is perfectly spiced.

Wet Ingredients for Applesauce Bread for Thanksgiving

Now for the wet ingredients that give this bread its magic! You’ll need 1 cup of softened unsalted butter – make sure it’s not melted, just soft enough to cream. Then, we’ll cream that with 1 cup of granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. After that, beat in two large eggs, one at a time, and then stir in a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Oh, and don’t forget the star: 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce and about 1/2 cup of milk to bring it all together beautifully.

How to Prepare Your Perfect Applesauce Bread for Thanksgiving

Alright, let’s get this delicious applesauce bread into the oven! It’s really not complicated, and once you see how easy it is, you’ll be making it all the time. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a beautiful, fragrant loaf ready for your Thanksgiving table.

Preparing the Pan and Oven

First things first, let’s get the oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). While that’s warming up, grab your 9×5 inch loaf pan. Give it a good greasing and then a light dusting of flour. This makes sure your beautiful bread slides right out later, no sticking allowed!

Combining the Dry Ingredients

In a nice big bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Give it a good swirl until everything looks evenly mixed. This is our flavor base, and making sure it’s all combined means we won’t have any surprise pockets of just baking soda or spice!

Creaming Butter and Sugar

Now, in a separate bowl, it’s time to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar. You want to beat these together until they get nice and fluffy, almost like pale yellow clouds. This step is key for that tender texture, so don’t rush it!

Incorporating Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in those two large eggs, one at a time, making sure each one is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, stir in that lovely vanilla extract. It just adds that perfect little warm note.

Adding Applesauce and Milk

Time for the moisture magic! Add your cup of unsweetened applesauce and the 1/2 cup of milk to the wet ingredients. Just mix it all together until it’s combined. Easy peasy!

Combining Wet and Dry Mixtures

Now, we’re going to gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Do this in a few additions, mixing gently after each one. The most important thing here? Don’t overmix! Just mix until you don’t see any more streaks of flour. Overmixing makes quick breads tough, and we want this to be tender and delicious.

Adding Nuts and Pouring Batter

If you’re feeling fancy, now’s the time to stir in those chopped pecans or walnuts. They add such a lovely crunch! Once they’re mixed in, pour all that glorious batter into your prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top a little so it bakes evenly.

Baking and Cooling Your Applesauce Bread

Pop that pan into your preheated oven and let it bake for about 50 to 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted right into the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes – this helps it set up. Then, carefully flip it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Patience here is key for the best texture!

Tips for Success with Applesauce Bread for Thanksgiving

Want to make sure this applesauce bread is absolutely perfect for your Thanksgiving table? A few little tricks can really make a difference! First off, make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature – this really helps them cream together beautifully for that fluffy texture. And remember what I said about not overmixing? Seriously, just mix until combined. Overmixing the batter will make your quick bread tough, and nobody wants that! If you’re craving even *more* moisture, stir in about 1/4 cup of sour cream or plain yogurt with the applesauce and milk. Oh, and the hardest part? Waiting for it to cool completely before slicing. Trust me, it’s worth it for the perfect texture!

Frequently Asked Questions about Applesauce Bread for Thanksgiving

Got questions about this lovely applesauce bread? I’ve got answers!

Q: Can I make this applesauce bread for Thanksgiving without nuts?

Absolutely! The nuts are totally optional. If you or your guests have nut allergies or just don’t love them, simply leave them out. The bread will still be incredibly moist and delicious with all those wonderful spices.

Q: How long does this applesauce bread for Thanksgiving last?

This applesauce bread stays wonderfully moist at room temperature for about 2-3 days, especially if you wrap it up tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. If you need it to last longer, you can pop it in the refrigerator for up to a week. It also freezes beautifully!

Q: What can I serve with this applesauce bread for Thanksgiving?

Oh, it’s so versatile! This applesauce bread is delicious on its own, but it’s also fantastic toasted and served with a dollop of butter or cream cheese. It makes a lovely side for your Thanksgiving meal, or even a nice breakfast treat with your morning coffee. A little bit of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce wouldn’t hurt either!

Storing and Reheating Your Applesauce Bread for Thanksgiving

Got some delicious applesauce bread leftover? Lucky you! To keep it fresh, just wrap the completely cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap or tuck it into an airtight container. It’s best stored at room temperature for about 2-3 days. If you need it to last a bit longer, the fridge is your friend, keeping it good for up to a week. Want to warm it up? Pop a slice in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, or wrap it in foil and pop it in a low oven (around 300°F/150°C) for a few minutes until it’s just warmed through. So good!

Nutritional Information for Applesauce Bread for Thanksgiving

Just so you know, all these numbers are estimates, okay? They can totally change depending on the brands you use and exactly how you make it. But this should give you a good idea of what you’re getting with a slice of this yummy applesauce bread!

Per slice (approximate):

Calories: 250
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 50mg
Sodium: 180mg
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 20g
Protein: 3g

Perfect Applesauce Bread for Thanksgiving: 1 Staple

Author: memorecipes.com
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A moist and flavorful quick bread perfect for Thanksgiving, featuring the warmth of applesauce and spices.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
In a separate bowl, cream together the granulated sugar and softened butter until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Add the applesauce and milk to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
If using, stir in the chopped nuts.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For extra moisture, you can add 1/4 cup of sour cream or plain yogurt to the batter.
Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the bread.
Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing for the best texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Quick Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 250
Sugar: 20g
Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 50mg

Keywords: applesauce bread, Thanksgiving bread, quick bread, spiced bread, fall baking, holiday baking