Bread Machine Apple Bread

This delicious Bread Machine Apple Bread is loaded with fresh, juicy apples and Fall warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Mixing and baking in the bread maker makes this apple bread so easy and hands-off!

This delicious apple and cinnamon bread loaf is made with fresh chopped apples and tangy apple cider. The sweet apples and tart cider are contrasted with cinnamon extract, ground nutmeg, and honey to give this recipe all the warm flavors of Fall. It's made without refined sugar and can easily be made dairy-free. Bread machine apple bread pairs perfectly with a warm glass of homemade apple cider made in your pressure cooker. It's a nice change from all the pumpkin recipes I am used to making, like this new Instant Pot pumpkin sweet bread.

Using your bread machine to make apple bread takes the guesswork out of the process and keeps it almost entirely hands-off (aside from preparation). I use my Cuisinart CBK-200 but you can make it in any brand bread maker. You can also make your apple bread by hand following these instructions.

Making apple bread is a great way to use apples picked right from the orchard or an abundance of apples from your own apple trees. Some more apple recipes that you should try are morning glory muffins, caramel and chocolate apple nachos and homemade slow cooked apple cider. Or if you're looking for another great bread for autumn, this bread maker cranberry walnut loaf is wonderful.

Ingredients

Bread machine apple bread is made with:

• Fresh apples: use apples that are both sweet and tart and stand up well in baking, like gala apples, honeycrisp apples, granny smith apples and fuji apples.
• Apple cider: fresh pressed, natural apple cider gives the best flavor. Use my homemade slow cooker apple cider or Instant Pot apple cider!
• Honey: organic or local honey will ensure that you are using the best quality honey.
• Extracts: I use equal parts vanilla extract and cinnamon extract but you can use one or the other if you prefer.
• Milk: use any type of dairy or non-dairy milk.
• Olive oil: I use extra virgin olive oil in most of my breads to cut down on fat and calories, but you can use an equal amount of butter if you'd prefer.
• Spices: cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg or use store bought apple pie spice.
• Bread flour: or all-purpose flour.
• Eggs: to keep it egg free, use flax eggs.

How To Make Apple Bread In A Bread Machine

This apple bread recipe does not require yeast when making it in a bread machine. It is a quick rising bread and not a yeast bread. It is made using the "quick bread" setting on your bread maker.

STEP 1: Spray the bread machine pan with cooking oil. To the bread pan add ½ cup milk, ½ cup apple cider, ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, ¾ cup honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon cinnamon extract, 2 large eggs, 2 cups bread flour, 2 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon ground all spice and ¾ teaspoon salt. 

*This order of ingredients is for Cuisinart machines. Check your manual for the correct order to add ingredients if you have a different brand.

STEP 2: Secure the bread pan to the bread machine and set to the "quick bread" function, Choose the 1.5 pound loaf option and crust color preference. Select the "mix-in" option and press start. 

*If your machine does not have a quick bread cycle, check your manual for the comparable setting.

STEP 3: While mixing, scrape any flour stuck on the sides of the pan into the batter using a spatula. Add the apples when the mix-in signal chimes and close the lid. 

*When the machine is done mixing, you should also remove the paddle. Doing so will make the bread easier to remove when it's done. Cuisinart machines will beep when the mixing stage is done as a reminder to do this. If you forget, the paddle can be removed once the bread has cooled.

STEP 4: When the baking cycle is complete, unplug the bread maker and wait 10 minutes before removing the bread pan. Hold the bread pan on it's side and gently shake out the loaf, using a knife to loosen it if needed. Let the bread cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing or storing. 

*Carefully remove the kneading paddle if you haven't done so yet.

An apple cinnamon loaf is fantastic served warm spread with butter, cream cheese, fruity jams or cinnamon glaze. It's perfect with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate and is sweet enough for dessert but hearty and tasty enough for breakfast or snack time.

How To Store Apple Bread

Storing bread maker apple bread properly is key to it staying fresh. Follow these steps:

1. Allow the apple bread to cool completely in the pan for about 10-15 minutes after removing it from the oven.
2. After cooling in the pan, transfer the apple bread to a wire cooling rack. Allowing it to cool on a rack helps air circulate around it and prevents condensation from forming on the bottom.
3. Once the bread has cooled to room temperature, you have a few options for storing it. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Or, place the loaf in an airtight container. If you don't have foil or plastic wrap, you can use a large resealable plastic bag.
4. If you plan to enjoy your bread within a few days, store it at room temperature. Keep it in a cool, dry place. If you want to keep the apple bread for more than a few days, it's best to refrigerate it. Place the wrapped or container-stored bread in the refrigerator. This will extend its shelf life to about a week. If you want to store apple bread for an extended period, freezing is the best option. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil, place it in an airtight container, or use a heavy-duty freezer bag. It will keep in the freezer for 2-3 months.

Variations

• Add dried fruits: add about ½ cup of raisins, currants, cranberries, orange peel or lemon peel.
• Add nuts: chopped walnuts, pecans, cashews and almonds add great texture and crunch to apple bread. Add about 1 cup to the batter and sprinkle some more on top of the loaf about 10 minutes into the bake cycle.
• Make it dairy free: use a non-dairy milk, such as almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk.
• Make it vegan: use a non-dairy milk, replace the eggs with flax eggs and use unrefined coconut sugar instead of honey.

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