Apple Bread with Cinnamon Pecan Crunch (2024)

May 29, 2019 by Beth Pierce 75 Comments

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This easy Apple Bread with Cinnamon Pecan Crunch is full of apple chunks and pecans. It is lightly sprinkled with cinnamon pecan sugar, giving it a light extra crunch on the crust. It is quick to come together and tastes amazing.

Apple Bread with Cinnamon Pecan Crunch (1)

We just love this Apple Bread. It is so easy to whip up, freezes well, and tastes even better the second day! It is loaded with so much flavor from apples, spices, and pecans. The top is coated with a small amount of cinnamon sugar mixture and chopped pecans, creating a delicious crunch. If you like this recipe, then you should try my apple pie, apple muffins, and apple cake.

How to make apple bread

First, in a medium bowl, whisktogether the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and baking powder. In a large bowl, mix together eggs, sugar, vegetable oil, and applesauce. Then add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until incorporated. Fold in the apples and half of the pecans.

Pour the batter into a well-greased loaf pan.Combine the remaining pecans, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Sprinkle over the batter. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. Cool for just a couple of minutes before inverting to a cooling rack.

Apple Bread with Cinnamon Pecan Crunch (2)

Recipe notes and helpful tips

My go-to apple for this recipe is Granny Smith because I love the balance between tart and sweet. Plus, they don’t break down during the cooking process. For a little more sweetness, use Honeycrisp apples, Pink Lady apples, or Fuji apples.
Peel and chop the apple fairly fine, so you get a little apple in every bite.
Don’t over-mix the batter, as it may become tough.
Toast your pecans before chopping them. Other nuts to try include walnuts and almonds.
Remove the cooked bread from the pan as soon as possible and place on a wire rack to cool. This helps quick breads retain a crispy crunchy crust.
Allow the loaf to cool slightly before cutting.
Store the bread in an airtight container or zipper storage bag at room temperature for up to 4 days.
To freeze, first cool completely. Then double wrap in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil, or place in a freezer zipper bag removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter at room temperature.

Apple Bread with Cinnamon Pecan Crunch (3)

How to slice quick breads

Wait until your yummy quick bread has cooled. Use a sharp, serrated knife and cut in a saw-like motion. This sawing action will keep your quick breads from crumbling. If you have the old-style cooling racks with the rungs going in the same direction and evenly spaced apart, you can gently press down on the top of the quick bread marking the bottom for easy and even cutting.

Apple Bread with Cinnamon Pecan Crunch (4)

There is no time like the present to start planning a small get-together for close friends and family. and fall is the perfect time to do just that!! Put this amazing Apple Pecan Sweet Bread on the menu list, or simply just bake a loaf for yourself.

Other sweet breads you will love

Carrot Bread

Apple Bread with Cinnamon Pecan Crunch (6)

Pumpkin Bread with Cinnamon Glaze

Blueberry Lemon Bread

Strawberry Bread

Coconut Bread

Apple Bread Recipe

This easy quick, sweet bread is plump full of apple chunks and chopped pecans. The top of the bread is lightly sprinkled with a cinnamon pecan sugar mixture, giving the edges a little bit of crispy, sweet goodness and plenty of texture.

4.91 from 21 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: sweet bread

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 10

Calories: 304kcal

Author: Beth Pierce

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 large eggs room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups finely chopped peeled apples
1 cup chopped toasted pecans
1 tablespoon sugar for sprinkling the top
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan.
In a medium bowl, mix together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and baking powder.
In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, sugar, vegetable oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until incorporated. Fold in the apples and half of the pecans. Combine the remaining pecans, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon; sprinkle over the loaf.
Bake for 55-60 minutes in the preheated oven or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Cool for 10-15 minutes before inverting.

Notes

My go-to apple for this recipe is Granny Smith because I love the balance between tart and sweet. Plus, they don't break down during the cooking process. For a little more sweetness, use Honeycrisp apples, Pink Lady apples, or Fuji apples.
Peel and chop the apple fairly fine, so you get a little apple in every bite.
Don't over-mix the batter, as it may become tough.
Toast your pecans before chopping them. Other nuts to try include walnuts and almonds.
Remove the cooked bread from the pan as soon as possible and place on a wire rack to cool. This helps quick breads retain a crispy crunchy crust.
Allow the loaf to cool slightly before cutting.
Store the bread in an airtight container or zipper storage bag at room temperature for up to 4 days.
To freeze, first cool completely. Then double wrap in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil, or place in a freezer zipper bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter at room temperature.

Nutrition

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https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf

More Recipes and Cooking

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Nutrition Disclaimer: All nutritional information shared on this site is an approximation. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on this site should be used as a general guideline.

Reader Interactions

Comments

Susan H.
December 07, 2023 at 2:21 pm

Excellent recipe! I did add an extra tablespoon of applesauce because the batter was too thick, but that did the trick. This bread was so good, I pinned it right away. I think I will make it and give loaves away as gifts for Christmas. Thank you!
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  December 11, 2023 at 2:29 pm
  Thank you, Susan! I am so glad that you liked it! Merry Christmas!
  Reply
Josephine Dubil
May 07, 2023 at 11:13 am

Made this for coffee after church today. It got rave reviews! Even the most critical of tasters said it was very good and I only took the ends home. So it’s a winner! I used two Honeycrisp apples. They ended up being over 2 cups – maybe 2.5 cup – so it was heavy on the apple, but didn’t take away from it one bit! I also did as someone else suggested and used brown and white sugar and because I was too tired to think real hard last night, I just used a tablespoon of each, so the topping was probably a bit thick which likely kept it from really sticking. I saved the topping thought, since lots fell off getting it out of the pan and cutting it. I bet it will be awesome on ice cream. 🙂
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  May 10, 2023 at 6:51 am
  Thanks, Josephine! I am so glad that everyone liked the bread. A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top is a great idea.
  Reply
Bonn
March 21, 2023 at 1:13 pm
Bake time for a 9X9 baking dish? I don’t have a loaf pan.
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  March 29, 2023 at 7:40 am
  I would start checking after 35 minutes.
  Reply
Kim funderburke
November 20, 2022 at 3:07 pm

Excellent recipe! Very moist! A definite keeper!
Reply
See Also
French Chicken And Mushroom Pie (Tourte)Poffertjes (Dutch Pancakes)How to Make the Ultimate Sourdough English Muffin Top 10 Vegetables High In Protein - Beauty Bites
- Beth Pierce
  November 20, 2022 at 3:48 pm
  Thanks, Kim! So glad that you like it! Happy Thanksgiving!
  Reply
Sheryl Overman
August 25, 2022 at 10:55 am
I plan to try this recipe tomorrow and would love to know if it can be baked in a bite-sized muffin pan. If so, how long should it be baked at 400 degrees. Thank you.
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  August 30, 2022 at 7:50 am
  I am sorry about the delay. This question slipped through the cracks. I would turn that oven down a little for mini muffins. Maybe 375 at the most for 12-15 minutes.
  Reply
Margo
January 30, 2022 at 8:57 am
Could I use frozen apples instead of fresh apples?
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  January 31, 2022 at 5:24 pm
  Yes you can!
  Reply
Emily
November 07, 2021 at 8:02 am

The batter was so thick. I added some milk.
Reply
Carol Swanson
October 23, 2021 at 11:15 am

I made this yesterday and it was delicious> Not too sweet, tender and moist. My husband ate his slice and commented” I could eat this whole loaf”. I might have to hide this if I want any more. Thanks for sharing!
Reply
Carol Swanson
October 23, 2021 at 11:12 am
I made this yesterday. I thought it was delicious. My husband ate a slice and commented “I could eat this whole loaf”. I might have to hide it is I want anymore. Thanks for sharing!
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  October 23, 2021 at 12:02 pm
  Thanks so much Carol! So glad that you and your husband liked it!
  Reply
manon
October 21, 2021 at 3:44 pm
What is the difference between cinnamon (do I use a cinnamon stick and simply grate?) – and then the recipe requires cinnamon ground? – i’m a little confused
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  October 21, 2021 at 5:15 pm
  Use ground cinnamon
  Reply
Carol
October 04, 2021 at 3:51 pm
Beth – which size loaf pan works best with this? No doubt either will work, but do you normally use the 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 or the 9 X 5?
Reply
- Tari matiszik
  January 31, 2022 at 2:31 pm
  I would like to make this today. What size pan do you use? 8X4 or 9X5? Thank you.
  Reply
  - Beth Pierce
    January 31, 2022 at 5:10 pm
    9×5
    Reply
Eva Sagor
October 02, 2021 at 12:19 pm
Can this recipe be baked as muffins??
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  October 02, 2021 at 6:23 pm
  Yes you can. Bake at 400 degrees for about 20-25 minutes.
  Reply
Cecilia
March 25, 2021 at 1:01 pm
Just put it in the oven. My batter was so thick it would not spread. Is that normal?
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  March 26, 2021 at 7:14 pm
  It is a pretty thick batter.
  Reply
Elena Davillier
February 03, 2021 at 3:11 pm

Can I use Gala apples? They are the only ones that I have on hand. I’m new to this so would love your reply. Thanks a bunch.
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  February 04, 2021 at 10:04 am
  Yes you can
  Reply
Laura
November 21, 2020 at 3:43 pm
I don’t have any applesauce on hand, Can you substitute something else in it’s place?
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  November 21, 2020 at 10:51 pm
  Just increase the oil by 2 tablespoons. It will still be delicious!
  Reply
Lydia
November 16, 2020 at 11:28 am

Delicious apple bread, can it be frozen after it is baked and completely cooled. I would like to get a jump on Thanksgiving and make some ahead of time and put it in the freezer.
Reply
See Also
I Slept With An Onion In My Sock And This Is What Happened
- Beth Pierce
  November 16, 2020 at 7:06 pm
  Yes it can Lydia! Enjoy!! Happy early Thanksgiving!
  Reply
Kathy Price
September 21, 2020 at 8:04 pm

This is absolutely delicious! So easy to make!
I’ll be making it again.
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  September 22, 2020 at 8:15 am
  Thanks Kathy! So glad that you liked it!
  Reply
Alice
August 26, 2020 at 2:26 pm

This was a very good recipe. The batter is thick and more dense so it didn’t rise as much which is why I gave it 4 stars. However it tastes so good. It reminds me of a coffee cake but healthier. I did tweak it some which may have been the reason for it being more dense but other reviewers have commented the same about the thickness of the batter. I used 1 cup all purpose flour and 3/4 whole wheat flour. I used olive oil instead of vegetable oil and I cut the sugar in half. Very tasty and the family liked it. I would make again for sure and keep it in a regular baking rotation. Thanks!
Reply
Heather
August 26, 2020 at 1:23 pm
What kind of cinnamon do you use? I have ground cinnamon, but kind is the other that I need? Thanks!
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  August 26, 2020 at 9:22 pm
  Just ground cinnamon
  Reply
Cynthia
August 06, 2020 at 3:59 pm

This is delicious!! Family loved it, definitely planning to make again. Made it today with walnuts and pecans, and also added one mashed banana to the batter. Thank you for sharing.
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  August 07, 2020 at 8:10 am
  My pleasure Cynthia! I am so glad that you enjoyed it. Your additions sound delicious!!
  Reply
Robin Schmidt
July 30, 2020 at 10:20 pm

I just made this recipe today. This bread is absolutely delicious! The only ingredient I added was one teaspoon of vanilla & used just 2 teaspoons of the cinnamon. I loved the toasted pecans inside the bread & as a topping! It’s moist too! It’s perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! This is a bread I will definitely make again! Thank you.
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  August 02, 2020 at 11:55 am
  Thanks Robin! I am so glad that you liked it. I will have to try it with a scoop of ice cream! Sounds delicious!!
  Reply
maria e marrero
May 29, 2020 at 12:05 pm
Can it be made with any gluten free flour?
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  May 29, 2020 at 1:24 pm
  Sorry Marie! I am not sure I have never tried.
  Reply
Lori
November 26, 2019 at 5:35 pm
I love the recipe, however, having the picture in the print area is a waste of ink. The picture is not necessary.
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  November 26, 2019 at 5:57 pm
  So glad that you like the bread. For every person that does not like the picture in the recipe I have five that like it. It is hard to please everyone.
  Reply
- Sonji
  March 04, 2024 at 3:04 am
  I ABSOLUTELY appreciate the pictures. I eat with my eyes and it gives me an expectation of what my goods will look like .
  Reply
Cathy
November 14, 2019 at 3:23 pm

I just made this and it’s delish! Instead of a loaf I made muffins–left out nuts and added dried cranberrys.
So good. The sugar level is perfect and in keeping with a bread not a cake or sugary muffin. Just what we like. Also used alittle more apple. Will be making this many more times this winter. Thank You.
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  November 14, 2019 at 5:53 pm
  My pleasure Cathy! So glad that you liked them and were able to improvise them for your needs and wants.
  Reply
Madalyn
October 12, 2019 at 6:38 pm
Sounds delicious! I am wanting to make it in mini loaf pans to give as gifts. What would you suggest on bake time and temperature?
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  October 13, 2019 at 8:20 am
  Are we talking the real small mini loaves? I would say they are about 4 inches long and maybe 1.75 inches wide? If so than I would bake at 350 for about 25-30 minutes.
  Reply
Millie Law
September 28, 2019 at 11:17 am
What type apple do you prefer for this? Looking forward to trying this soon!
Thank you,
Millie
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  September 29, 2019 at 8:48 am
  I like Honeycrisp but Pink Lady or Braeburns would be good too!
  Reply
Kathie
September 15, 2019 at 2:05 pm
I added raisins too.
Reply
Millican Pecan
June 19, 2019 at 4:12 pm

Oh my… really good stuff. Like the pecan crunch. I wonder if I can swap out pecan meal to replace the all purpose flour as we have a daughter that has gluten issues. Worth a try, huh?
Reply
Becky Hardin
June 01, 2019 at 3:25 pm

This is the perfect bread. Love having a slice right out of the oven.
Reply
aimee
June 01, 2019 at 8:03 am

We just keep making this bread over and over. We love it.
Reply
Ashley F
May 31, 2019 at 5:05 pm

Nothing beats the topping on this bread!
Reply
Valentina
May 31, 2019 at 3:55 pm

This amazing apple bread is so moist and soft! The perfect dessert recipe.
Reply
Krissy Allori
May 31, 2019 at 3:44 pm

These were amazing! My whole family liked them.
Reply
wilhelmina
March 14, 2019 at 7:42 am

I love the combination of nuts and apples in this bread! SO yummy!
Reply
Aimee Shugarman
March 14, 2019 at 7:18 am

One of my favorite bread recipes!
Reply
Lindsey
February 11, 2019 at 6:47 pm
Hi! Do you peel the apples first?
Thanks!
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  February 11, 2019 at 7:58 pm
  Yes please. I will add that as soon as I get the children feed. Thanks for the heads up!
  Reply
Jodi Womas
January 06, 2019 at 3:56 pm

I made this recipe today and doubled it. I lessened baking time and it was wonderful! Added more pecans and added brown sugar, pecans, and reg. sugar to top. I will be making this recipe again, as my husband and kids loved!
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  January 06, 2019 at 6:02 pm
  Thanks Jodi! So glad that your family liked it! I love apples and pecans!
  Reply
Renee
February 12, 2018 at 3:39 pm
I used more toasted pecans than suggested (inside and on top) just because I had them and love them, and because I didn’t measure them because the measuring cup was dirty 🙂 After the loaf was cool enough, I sliced into thick slices and refrigerated overnight….cold and fresh from the fridge the next morning was delicious, even more than warm right out of the oven! The batter was very dense, I chose to cook mine a little longer than recommended to ensure it was cooked in the middle. Love your recipes!
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  February 12, 2018 at 8:37 pm
  Thanks so much. I love pecans too and sometimes I get carried away. I will have to try the refrigerator method with a nice hot cup of coffee. I wish I had a piece right now!!
  Reply
Franny
September 29, 2017 at 2:58 am
Doesn’t mention how much pecans do you add?
Reply
- Beth Pierce
  September 29, 2017 at 2:03 pm
  Thanks so much for calling me out on that. I will fix it!!
  Reply
Jen Sottile
September 25, 2017 at 4:54 am
Wondering if I can use walnuts instead of pecans. I’m not really a fan of them, but I love walnuts. I always add extra when I make my banana bread.
Reply
- Aniki
  December 22, 2017 at 10:15 pm
  I use walnuts and double to make a 9×13 cake. Bake time is about 40-45 in my oven. Compliments every time!
  Reply
  - sherry pippen
    May 21, 2018 at 3:17 pm
    Good idea, thanks! Bet would be good with some homemade cream cheese frosting to.
    Reply
  - Chris Lauluma
    September 01, 2019 at 2:31 pm
    Do you flour and grease the cake pan or just grease?
    Reply
    - Beth Pierce
      September 03, 2019 at 8:04 am
      With this one I would just grease it or use a nonstick baking spray.
      Reply
- Christine Hunt
  January 15, 2021 at 5:22 pm
  I made it with walnuts… it came out great!,,
  Reply
  - Beth Pierce
    January 16, 2021 at 12:39 pm
    Thanks Christine! So glad that you liked it!!
    Reply