This Pumpkin Apple Bread is a warm, cozy treat that combines the sweetness of apples with the spice of pumpkin. It’s perfect for chilly days and makes your kitchen smell amazing!
Honestly, every bite feels like a hug in baked form! I love to add a bit of cinnamon on top for an extra kick. It’s great for breakfast or a lovely afternoon snack!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: Essential for structure, you can easily substitute with whole wheat flour for added nutrition. Just remember, it may make the bread denser.
Canned Pumpkin Puree: Make sure you use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which has added sugars and spices. If fresh pumpkin is available, you can roast and puree it, too!
Apples: Granny Smith or Honeycrisp brings a nice tartness. You could also use Fuji or Gala apples for a sweeter touch. Just ensure they’re firm and not too mushy.
Nuts: Pecans or walnuts give a lovely crunch. If you have nut allergies, feel free to leave them out or substitute with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
How Do I Get the Best Texture and Flavor in My Pumpkin Apple Bread?
Achieving the ideal texture and flavor in this bread starts with mixing your ingredients properly. Here’s how to get it right:
- Mix wet ingredients (pumpkin, sugars, eggs, oil) separately from dry ingredients to ensure even distribution.
- When combining, mix just until you see no dry flour. Overmixing can lead to a tough loaf.
- Adding apples and nuts last ensures they’re evenly spread without breaking down.
For extra moistness, allow the bread to cool fully before wrapping it in foil, which helps to keep it soft and prevents drying out. Enjoy your baking!
How to Make Delicious Pumpkin Apple Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Bread:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup peeled and diced apple (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
For the Crumb Topping (optional):
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
For the Glaze (optional):
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or cider
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious Pumpkin Apple Bread will take about 15 minutes to prep, and then it will need 55-65 minutes in the oven to bake. Don’t forget to let it cool for about 10 minutes before slicing! Total time is around 1 hour and 30 minutes, including cooling.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. This mixture will be your dry ingredients.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients:
In a large bowl, mix the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla. Stir these together until the mixture is smooth and blended.
4. Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want it to be fluffy!
5. Fold in Apples and Nuts:
Gently fold in the diced apples and chopped nuts (if you’re using them). This adds a wonderful texture and flavor to the bread.
6. Prepare the Crumb Topping (Optional):
If you’d like to add a crumb topping, mix together flour, brown sugar, nuts, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly.
7. Pour Batter into the Pan:
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and sprinkle the crumb topping over the top evenly.
8. Bake the Bread:
Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges are golden brown.
9. Cool the Bread:
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Prepare the Glaze (Optional):
If you want a glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, milk or cider, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle it over the cooled bread for an added sweet touch.
11. Slice and Enjoy!
Your Pumpkin Apple Bread is ready to be sliced and enjoyed! It pairs perfectly with a warm cup of coffee or tea and is a delightful treat any time of day.
This bread is moist and packed with autumn spices. The sweet-tart apples provide lovely texture and flavor, while the crumb topping adds a delightful crunch. Enjoy every bite!
Can I Use Fresh Pumpkin Instead of Canned?
Yes! If you have fresh pumpkin, you can roast it, scoop out the flesh, and blend it until smooth to substitute for canned pumpkin puree. This will give your bread an even fresher flavor!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover Pumpkin Apple Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, refrigerate it for up to a week, or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just ensure it’s well wrapped to prevent freezer burn.
Can I Make This Recipe Gluten-Free?
Absolutely! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Make sure it contains xanthan gum for proper texture. The results should be just as delicious!
What Other Add-ins Can I Use?
Feel free to customize this recipe with other add-ins like dried cranberries, raisins, or chocolate chips for a sweeter twist. Just adjust the sugar accordingly to balance flavors!
