This apple streusel bread recipe is the perfect fall breakfast, snack, or dessert. Made with fresh apples, applesauce, and apple pie spice, it oozes apple flavor. And the streusel on top, don’t get me started! It’s so buttery and crumbly, I just can’t get enough of it.
I always pick way too many apples at the orchard, but this apple bread is perfect for using up some of the stragglers that are getting to be past their prime. The apple gets shredded, so firmness isn’t as much of an issue, and this bread is loaded with applesauce and apple pie spice for good measure. I added a buttery streusel topping to really take it to the next level!
What’s in This Apple Streusel Bread Recipe?
- Apples: I love Granny Smith apples in this recipe because they’re tart and hold up well during baking, but feel free to substitute whatever apple you have on hand.
- Flour: All-purpose flour gives this bread structure.
- Apple Pie Spice: Adds warmth to the bread. If you don’t have any, you can substitute 1½ teaspoons of ground cinnamon and ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
- Baking powder: Helps the bread rise.
- Brown Sugar: Sweetens the bread and adds molasses-y depth.
- Applesauce: Helps keep the bread moist and enhance the overall apple flavor. I’m using unsweetened applesauce.
- Milk: Adds moisture. I used whole milk, but feel free to use what you have on hand.
- Egg: Binds the loaf together.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the sweetness and flavor of the apple.
- Butter: Helps bind the streusel and makes it turn golden brown in the oven.
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How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover apple bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying at room temperature or gently heated in the microwave.
Tips for Success
- Make sure to either spray your bread pan or line it with parchment paper on the bottom for easy removal.
- If you want extra apple, feel free to add ½ cup of chopped apple to the batter.
- If you want to add some crunch, add ½ cup of chopped nuts– pecans, walnuts, or almonds would all be delicious.
Apple Streusel Bread Recipe
Ingredients
For the Bread
- 1 large Granny Smith apple peeled
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons apple pie spice
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup applesauce
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Streusel Topping
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon apple pie spice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted (¼ stick)
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 9×5-inch Loaf Pan
- Fine-Mesh Sieve
Instructions
For the Bread
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick baking spray. Set aside.
- Grate the apple using the largest holes on a box grater. You should end up with about 1¼ cups of shredded apple.1 large Granny Smith apple
- Line a fine-mesh sieve with paper towels or cheesecloth and set it over a bowl. Place the shredded apples into the sieve and sprinkle them with a small pinch of salt. Allow them to sit for 15 minutes.
- Squeeze the apples in the paper towels or cheesecloth until all of the liquid has been removed. Discard the liquid– you should have around ⅓ cup.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, apple pie spice, and baking powder. Set aside.2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons apple pie spice, 1 teaspoon baking powder
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, applesauce, milk, egg, and vanilla. Whisk until combined.¾ cup brown sugar, ½ cup applesauce, ¼ cup whole milk, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and fold them together gently– you don’t want to overmix!
- Once the wet ingredients have been fully incorporated, add the shredded apple and fold it in gently.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan.
- Set the pan aside while you make the streusel.
- In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and pie spice. Add the melted butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse sand.½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ teaspoon apple pie spice, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Spread the streusel evenly over the top of the apple bread.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, run a knife around the edge and turn it out onto a wire rack to cool.
Notes
How to Make Apple Bread with Streusel Topping Step-by-Step
Shred the Apple: Preheat your oven to 350°F, grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick baking spray, and set aside. Grate 1 large Granny Smith apple using the largest holes on a box grater. You should end up with about 1¼ cups of shredded apple. Line a fine-mesh sieve with paper towels or cheesecloth and set it over a bowl. Place the shredded apples into the sieve and sprinkle them with a small pinch of salt. Allow them to sit for 15 minutes. Squeeze the apples in the paper towels or cheesecloth until all of the liquid has been removed. Discard the liquid– you should have around ⅓ cup.
Whisk the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of apple pie spice, and 1 teaspoon of baking powder. Set aside.
Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together ¾ cup of brown sugar, ½ cup of applesauce, ¼ cup of whole milk, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Whisk until combined.
Combine the Batter: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and fold them together gently– you don’t want to overmix!
Fold in the Apple: Once the wet ingredients have been fully incorporated, add the shredded apple and fold it in gently.
Fill the Pan: Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan. Set the pan aside while you make the streusel.
Make the Streusel: In a small bowl, combine ½ cup of all-purpose flour, ½ cup of brown sugar, ½ teaspoon of apple pie spice, and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add the melted butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Spread the streusel evenly over the top of the apple bread.
Bake the Bread: Bake in a preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the streusel apple bread to cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, run a knife around the edge and turn it out onto a wire rack to cool.
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