Apple Bread with Brown Sugar Icing [+Video]
Fall comes and I crave all the apple desserts! This apple bread recipe is perfectly spiced and loaded with that warm comforting apple flavor we all love. And it’s the brown sugar icing that will keep you coming back for more!
I have been waiting to make this apple quick bread for years!! There’s something so wonderful about apple anything but the real treat for me is that brown sugar icing.
When I was growing up my Dad would sometimes request a spice cake for his birthday dessert and Mom always threw on a cooked frosting that reminded me of a thick caramel. For some reason the idea of cozy spices and that warm brown sugar icing became a bit nostalgic for me, and while Mom isn’t a huge cooked apple fan, I knew I could make a version that would make her swoon, hence the apple bread with brown sugar icing.
I have included a few tips for success when making this quick bread recipe, so keep scrolling so you don’t miss those!
Recommended Equipment:
- Bread Loaf Pans
- Light Colored Pot (similar to this one)
Before You Begin…
You’ll want to start by browning the butter you need for this recipe. There’s a section below for how to brown butter. You will use the browned butter in the cake and in the icing, and you will want it ready when you start this recipe. Brown a whole stick of butter, then you will remove 3 tablespoons for the icing and use the rest in bread.
Also, make sure that you have apple butter ready, either homemade or store bought.
What Do I Need to Make This Apple Bread Recipe?
I’m going to divide the ingredients into two groups – ingredients for the bread and ingredients for the icing. Here is what you will need:
For the Bread
- Flour: just regular all purpose flour is all you need
- Baking Soda: acts as a leavening agent to give rise and fluffiness to the bread
- Salt: enhances all the flavors
- Spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves all add those warm fall flavors
- Browned Butter: adds richness and nutty flavor (see section below for how to make it)
- Vegetable Oil: keeps the bread moist
- Brown Sugar: adds sweetness and rich flavor
- Sugar: adds more sweetness
- Eggs: gives the bread loaves structure
- Apple Butter: adds all the natural apple flavor, applesauce can also be used if needed but will have less intense apple flavor
- Sour Cream: adds acid and fat creating moist bread, buttermilk can be used as a substitute
Brown Sugar Icing
- Light Brown Sugar: adds sweetness and rich brown sugar flavor
- Whole Milk: thins out the icing to the consistency needed
- Browned Butter: adds warm, comforting, nutty flavor (see section below for how to make it)
- Vanilla Extract: adds flavor
- Powdered Sugar: adds sweetness and structure to the icing
The measurements for all the ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.
How to Make Apple Bread
Making this easy apple bread recipe from scratch can be done in 4 easy steps:
- Prep: preheat the oven and spray the two loaf pans
- Dry Ingredients: whisk together all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl
- Wet Ingredients: whisk together all the wet ingredients and then add them to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined
- Bake: let the batter rest and then pour the batter into the prepared bread pans and bake in the preheated oven
How to Make Cooked Brown Sugar Icing
I love a cooked icing! The flavor and texture of a cooked icing is unique, just like the one we use on our Texas sheet cake. Here are the steps for making the cooked icing:
- Boil: add all the ingredients (except the powdered sugar) for the icing to a saucepan and bring it to a boil while whisking.
- Sift: remove the icing from the heat and sift in the powdered sugar whisking to combine
- Cool: let the icing cool for a few minutes to allow it to thicken
- PRO TIP: It should coat the back of a spoon. It will setup quickly as it cools, so let it cool too much!
- Pour: pour the warm icing over the top of the loaves evenly, doing your best to avoid any layering of the icing
- Wait: let the icing set before you slice…this is the hardest part!
These instructions in full detail can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post. You can print or save the recipe there as well.
How to Brown Butter
Cut your room temperature butter into evenly sized pieces so that it melts evenly. I like to use a light colored pan so I can see the color of the butter and watch it change. Place the pan over medium heat. Stir the butter around to keep it moving while it melts.
As it melts, you will start to see foam and sizzling around the edge and brown flecks will appear on the bottom of the pan. Remove it from the heat immediately. It should be very fragrant. You have made browned butter!
Recipe Secrets
There may not be true secrets to this easy quick bread recipe, but there are a few things that make a big difference.
- Apples. Now, you can choose whichever apple suits your fancy, but I’ve found that a sturdy but sweet apple (honeycrisp or pink lady) with a lot of crunch transforms this dish. We make our own apple butter for all the apple flavor in this recipe. We leave out the apples, but I’ll give instructions in the recipe card in case you want to add them. We also include tips for even distribution.
- Never over stir!! I know, it’s so satisfying and relaxing, but I’m serious, you’ll deflate the batter if you keep stirring.
- Speaking of, allowing the batter to rest for up to 20 minutes on the countertop before baking activates the leavening agent so that you’ll have a bread that stands up straight and pretty.
What Apples are Best for Bread?
We like to use sweet apples with lots of apple flavor like honeycrisp, pink lady, or braeburn. Granny smith is also another great option if you like a more tart apple flavor.
Can I Add Apple Chunks?
Heck yes, you can!!
I like to cut the apples quite small after peeling and toss them with cinnamon sugar, then the flour mixture and finally, fold them in as the last ingredient. Gently, gently!! The sugar and flour will help the apples to not sink as much in baking.
Why Does My Apple Bread Fall in the Middle?
This is almost always because the bread is underbaked. Bake for the recommended time and test the center with a toothpick. The toothpick should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs on it. If it needs a little longer, add a couple minutes to baking time and test again.
Why is My Apple Bread Dense?
There are generally two potential reasons for a dense quick bread – overmixing or overbaking. When you stir the wet and dry ingredients together, stir them just enough to combine. It’s perfectly ok if streaks of flour remain.
Keep an eye and a nose on your loaf as it bakes. You can usually smell when a loaf is getting close to done.
Storage Tips
Store apple cinnamon bread at room temperature in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap. It will keep for 4-5 days.
This bread also freezes extremely well. Wrap it in plastic wrap, then foil and place it in a ziploc bag. It will keep for up to 3 months. Pull it out and let it come to room temperature when you’re ready to slice and serve it.
The only thing better than apple bread – a fragrant, sweet homemade apple bread loaf – is warm, moist apple bread with a quick, easy, and delicious brown sugar icing. It makes a perfect brunch, a fun after school snack, and a tasty fall dessert.
More Easy Quick Breads to Try:
- Best Banana Bread
- Glazed Poppy Seed Bread
- Classic Zucchini Bread
- Peanut Butter Banana Bread
- Pumpkin Bread
- Snickerdoodle Bread
- Amish Friendship Bread
Apple Bread with Brown Sugar Icing
Description
Ingredients
- 3 Cups Flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 3/4 teaspoon Salt
- 2 teaspoons Cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon Ground Cloves
- 1/2 Cup Browned Butter (see note on how to make it), reserve 3 Tablespoons for the icing and add the rest to the bread
- 1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil
- 1 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
- 3 Large Eggs whisked
- 1 3/4 Cups Apple Butter or applesauce
- 1/2 Cup Sour Cream or buttermilk
Brown Sugar Icing
- 3/4 Cup Light Brown Sugar packed
- 6 Tablespoons Whole Milk
- 3 Tablespoons Browned Butter (see note for dividing the butter), saved from above
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
- 2 Cups Powdered Sugar
Instructions
For the Bread
-
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 8.5×4" bread pans with nonstick spray.
-
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Set aside.3 Cups Flour, 1 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda, 3/4 teaspoon Salt, 2 teaspoons Cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon Ground Cloves
-
Whisk together all wet ingredients and sugars. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients using a wooden spoon.1/2 Cup Browned Butter, 1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil, 1 Cup Brown Sugar, 1/2 Cup Sugar, 3 Large Eggs, 1 3/4 Cups Apple Butter, 1/2 Cup Sour Cream
-
Pour into a greased pan and bake at 350 for 60 minutes.
For the Icing
-
In a small saucepan, bring the light brown sugar, milk, butter and vanilla to a boil, whisking to combine. Remove from the heat and sift in the powdered sugar.3/4 Cup Light Brown Sugar, 6 Tablespoons Whole Milk, 3 Tablespoons Browned Butter, 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla, 2 Cups Powdered Sugar
-
Allow the icing to cool for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until it has thickened, it should coat the back of a spoon.
-
The icing will set very quickly once slightly cooled, so work fast to get the loaf evenly iced. Pour the icing over the top of the loaf as quickly as you can until the surface is covered, doing your best to avoid layering the icing.
-
Allow the icing to set for around 15 minutes before you slice.
Notes
Nutrition
READ: Apple Bread with Brown Sugar Icing [+Video]
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