Glazed Apple Cinnamon Bread

This glazed apple cinnamon oatmeal bread transforms simple ingredients into a comforting treat that fills your home with the aroma of fall. The applesauce keeps it incredibly moist while oats add wonderful texture and heartiness to every slice.

I first created this recipe during apple picking season when my kitchen was overflowing with fresh fruit. After experimenting with various quick breads, this version became an instant favorite, with my children requesting it for breakfast, snacks, and even dessert topped with vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients

• All purpose flour provides the perfect structure while keeping the crumb tender
• Old fashioned oats add heartiness and a wonderful texture contrast
• Cinnamon brings warmth and pairs perfectly with apple flavor
• Greek yogurt adds moisture and a subtle tanginess that enhances the flavor
• Applesauce serves as both a flavoring and a moistening agent
• Vegetable oil creates an incredibly tender crumb that stays moist for days
• Vanilla extract rounds out the flavor profile with subtle warmth

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Your Equipment

Preheat your oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease your loaf pan, making sure to get into all corners. Using a metal nonstick pan allows for even heating and easy release of the finished bread.

Mix Dry Ingredients

Combine flour, oats, salt, cinnamon, and baking powder in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents. This prevents pockets of baking powder that could create bitter spots.

Create Wet Mixture

In a separate bowl, thoroughly combine sugar, oil, eggs, yogurt, applesauce, and vanilla. The oil should be completely incorporated without any visible separation. This creates an emulsion that helps maintain moisture throughout baking.

Combine Mixtures

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Overmixing will develop gluten and create a tough bread, so stop as soon as no dry flour remains visible. The batter will be thick but pourable.

Bake To Perfection

Transfer the batter to your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top gently. Bake for 45-48 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through for even browning. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Glaze While Warm

Whisk together powdered sugar and applesauce until smooth. Pour over the bread while it's still warm but not hot. This allows the glaze to partially absorb into the top crust, creating a moisture barrier and adding sweetness.

Bookmark

The applesauce is truly the secret ingredient in this recipe. I discovered that using homemade chunky applesauce with bits of apple creates wonderful pockets of fruit throughout the bread. When my children were younger, they would hunt for these little apple treasures in each slice, calling them hidden gems.

Storage Tips

This bread maintains its moisture beautifully due to the oil and glaze. Store it at room temperature in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 4 days. The glaze will remain slightly tacky, so placing parchment paper between slices prevents sticking if you stack them.

Seasonal Variations

Fall brings the best apples for homemade applesauce. Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji varieties offer the perfect balance of sweetness and structure. In summer, try substituting half the applesauce with mashed ripe banana for a tropical twist. Winter holidays call for adding 1/2 cup dried cranberries and a pinch of nutmeg to the batter for a festive version.

Serving Suggestions

While delicious on its own, this bread transforms into a decadent dessert when warmed slightly and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For breakfast, toast a slice and spread with a thin layer of almond butter for added protein. It also pairs beautifully with afternoon tea or coffee, making it perfect for casual gatherings.

Making It Healthier

This versatile recipe adapts well to dietary modifications. Replace half the all purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber and nutrients. Reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup without compromising flavor, especially if using naturally sweet applesauce. For a dairy free version, substitute the Greek yogurt with plant based yogurt or additional applesauce.

Recipe Q&A

→ Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?

Yes, you can substitute quick oats for the old-fashioned oats, though the texture will be slightly different. Old-fashioned oats provide more chew and texture, while quick oats will blend more seamlessly into the bread.

→ How should I store this bread to keep it moist?

Store the glazed bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week. The glaze helps maintain moisture, but covering it properly is essential to prevent it from drying out.

→ Can I freeze this bread?

Yes, this bread freezes well. For best results, wrap individual slices or the whole loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil or a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

→ What type of applesauce works best?

Homemade or chunky-style applesauce provides the best flavor and texture. If using store-bought, choose unsweetened applesauce and consider adding small diced apple pieces for more texture. The chunks of apple create pockets of moisture and flavor throughout the bread.

→ Can I substitute the vegetable oil?

Yes, you can substitute melted butter, coconut oil, or applesauce for the vegetable oil. Butter will add richness, coconut oil will add a slight coconut flavor, and using additional applesauce will reduce the fat content but may result in a slightly denser texture.

→ How do I know when the bread is done baking?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf - it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). The top should be golden brown and spring back slightly when pressed. If the top is browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil while baking.