Cinnamon Applesauce Bread

Cinnamon Applesauce Bread is a super easy, wonderfully moist quick bread packed with cozy cinnamon spice and made from simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. This applesauce bread recipe comes together in just about 10 minutes before heading into the oven.

Just last week, I was itching to bake something comforting! Since pumpkin season wasn’t quite calling my name yet (though if it is, you’ll love my Libby’s Pumpkin Bread), I went ahead and whipped up a couple batches of this Cinnamon Applesauce Bread. If you’ve never tried baking applesauce bread before, don’t let the applesauce make you hesitant. You won’t taste apple pieces, but the applesauce keeps the bread incredibly moist. Plus, the cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice bring all those fall flavors together in the best way.

I baked two batches, which made 10 mini loaves (or two big 9×5 loaves if you prefer). I kept some for my family, froze a few for later, and shared the rest with friends. My kids gave it a thumbs-up as their new favorite bread, and my husband said it reminded him of spice cake after just one bite.

This Cinnamon Applesauce Bread is a quick bread that’s wonderfully moist thanks to unsweetened applesauce and bursting with warm, comforting spices using just everyday pantry items.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Bake Time: 30 minutes for mini loaves or 55-60 minutes for a large loaf
• Total Time: 40 minutes (mini loaves) or 65-70 minutes (large loaf)
• Flavor: Cozy, warm cinnamon spice
• Perfect For: Breakfast, snacks, holiday gifting, and freezer-friendly meal prep

I made this yesterday and was so happy with how moist and flavorful it turned out. Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe! This is going to be a regular in my kitchen. Happy baking ❤️

Looking for a cozy, fuss-free quick bread recipe that comes together in no time? This Cinnamon Applesauce Bread is just that. It whips up in about 10 minutes, bakes as a big 9×5 loaf or several mini loaves (or even muffins), and ends up perfectly moist and tender thanks to the magic of unsweetened applesauce paired with a warm mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice.

Keep scrolling for the full printable recipe card, a detailed step-by-step walkthrough, and plenty of tips for swaps, add-ins, and storing your applesauce bread so it stays fresh and delicious. Whether you’re baking for a quick breakfast, midday snack, gift-giving, or freezer stash, this recipe is an easy, family-friendly choice everyone will love.

What Makes It So Good

This Cinnamon Applesauce Bread is a total winner for busy bakers and snack lovers. It mixes up quickly—just about 10 minutes of prep—uses common pantry ingredients, and bakes into an ultra-moist, tender loaf thanks to unsweetened applesauce. The cozy blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice gives it classic warmth without needing fresh fruit. For a seasonal variation with the same cozy vibes, try our Vegan Pumpkin Applesauce Bread.

• Super moist texture from applesauce with no overpowering apple flavor.
• Simple and fast—just mix, no yeast or rising time required.
• Flexible—bake as one loaf, mini loaves, or muffins (or try these Whole Wheat Rhubarb Applesauce Muffins), with options to add nuts or dried fruit.
• Freezer-friendly and great for make-ahead gifting or meal prep.
• Kid- and crowd-approved thanks to a familiar, spice cake-like flavor everyone enjoys.

Ingredients and Helpful Swaps

• 1 ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tablespoon milk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Mixing, Baking, and Timing

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease one 9×5-inch loaf pan or five mini loaf pans, or line pans with parchment paper.
3. In a large bowl whisk together unsweetened applesauce, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and milk until smooth.

4. Add all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, and salt to the wet mixture; stir gently until just combined.

5. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan(s).
6. Bake mini loaves for 25–30 minutes or a full 9×5 loaf for 55–60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
8. Transfer the bread to a wire rack and cool completely before slicing.

Pro Tips for a Perfect Loaf

• Measure your flour right: Always spoon and level to avoid packing your flour and ending up with dense bread.
• Mix carefully: Only stir until the dry ingredients disappear—overmixing makes the bread tough.
• Test for doneness properly: Use a toothpick in the center—it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Mini loaves bake faster (25–30 minutes), while a full loaf needs closer to an hour.
• Tweak sugar for sweetened applesauce: If your applesauce already has sugar, reduce the added sugar a little to keep from going overboard.
• Use room temperature eggs: They mix in more easily and help your batter stay smooth.
• Prep pans well: Grease or line pans with parchment paper so your applesauce bread comes out cleanly and intact.
• Mix-ins welcome: Try folding in up to ½ cup of dried fruit or ½ to 1 cup chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor. Coconut oil works great too if you want to swap the vegetable oil.
• Crumb topping idea: For a sweet, crunchy topping, sprinkle a crumb mix over the batter before baking—see the Variations section below, or try a cinnamon streusel topping for extra texture.
• Cool properly before storing: Let the bread cool about 10 minutes in the pan, then move it to a wire rack to cool fully before slicing or wrapping.
• Freeze & make-ahead-friendly: Wrap cooled loaves well in plastic wrap and foil for freezing up to 3 months. You can also prep the batter ahead, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking—just add some extra baking time if batter is cold.
• Check your oven’s accuracy: Using an oven thermometer and adjusting as needed helps avoid overbaked or underbaked bread.

Flavor Variations and Add-Ins

• Raisins or Dried Cranberries: Fold around ½ cup into the batter for chewy bursts of sweetness.
• Walnuts or Pecans: Add ½ to 1 cup chopped nuts for a nutty crunch that pairs perfectly with the spice.
• Fresh Apples: Peel and dice one apple, then fold it gently into the batter for some fresh apple morsels. For a tangy twist, replace some or all of the applesauce with homemade rhubarb applesauce.
• Oil swap: Melted coconut oil can replace vegetable oil if you want a subtle nutty flavor.
• Shape flexibility: Bake this applesauce bread as mini loaves, one big loaf, or muffins depending on your needs.
• Crumb topping: Make a mix of ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup oats, ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and 3 tablespoons melted butter. Sprinkle over batter before baking for a sweet, crispy topping. Or, for a quick shortcut, scatter a small handful of cinnamon raisin granola over the top before baking.

Storage, Freezing, and Make-Ahead

• At Room Temperature: Let your applesauce bread cool completely, then store in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 3 days.
• In the Refrigerator: Keep the bread covered in an airtight container for up to one week to maintain freshness.
• Freezing: Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap followed by a layer of foil. Place it in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months; this method also works for other quick breads like Banana Oatmeal Bread. Thaw overnight at room temperature before serving—try warming slices and topping with cinnamon-honey baked nectarines for a cozy finish.
• Make-Ahead Batter: Mix the batter and pour it into prepared pan(s). Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Add a few extra minutes to baking time if baking cold batter.

Common Questions Answered

What is the best applesauce for Applesauce Bread?

Unsweetened applesauce works best because it keeps your bread moist without adding extra sweetness. Both homemade and store-bought unsweetened applesauce are great choices.

Why is my Applesauce Bread dense?

Dense bread often comes from overmixing or adding too much flour. Stir the batter just until the ingredients come together, and measure your flour carefully by spooning and leveling.

Can I use homemade applesauce in Applesauce Bread?

Absolutely! Homemade applesauce is a perfect substitute. Just remember that if your version is sweeter or thinner than store-bought, it may affect the texture or flavor slightly.