Apple Cranberry Bread – A cinnamon spiced quick bread filled with apples and fresh cranberries and topped with a pecan streusel.
I’m giddy with excitement because my favorite time of year is here – HOLIDAY BAKING SEASON! I have been training for this; it’s like the Olympics for me. Ha!
In all seriousness, I really do love this time of year. The weather is cool, the house feels cozy, bathing suit season is over, and New Year’s resolutions haven’t yet begun (woohoo)! It really is the most wonderful time of the year.
I’ve already been baking up a storm this holiday season. We’ve had Chocolate Coconut Pecan Pie Bars, Pumpkin Carrot Cake, Cranberry Bars, and Apple French Toast.
Apple Cranberry Bread
This recipe is for a quick bread. It closely straddles the line between bread and cake (and what a delicious line that is). It’s cozy and comforting and filled with fall and winter flavors.
The bread is sweet and lightly spiced and it’s filled with diced apples and fresh cranberries. The loaf is topped with a brown sugar pecan streusel, which adds the perfect finishing touch. I absolutely love the contrasting textures between the tender bread and the crunchy, buttery streusel.
I should not be left alone with a loaf of this bread because there’s a good chance I will pick every last bit of streusel off the whole loaf. If anyone in my family asks I’ll just act like I forgot to put the streusel on. Sshhhh. 😉
If you have any other holiday baking inspiration, send it my way. I’m already daydreaming about what should come next.
For now, I’ll be cozied up with a big ol’ cup of coffee and a slice of Apple Cranberry Bread (I’m grabbing the slice with the most streusel!)
MORE QUICK BREAD RECIPES: EASY BANANA BREAD – BANANA NUT MUFFINS – CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI BREAD – PUMPKIN MUFFINS – APPLE BREAD – CINNAMON BREAD
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Apple Cranberry Bread
Ingredients
Bread:
- ⅓ cup vegetable or canola oil
- ¼ cup applesauce
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup finely chopped apple, I left the skin on
- 1 cup fresh cranberries, I halved the larger berries
Topping:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped pecans
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
Bread:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x5 loaf pan and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk oil, applesauce, sugar, eggs and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside 1/4 cup of the dry ingredients. Add the remaining dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir with a spoon or rubber spatula until almost completely combined.
- Toss the apples and cranberries with the reserved 1/4 cup flour, then add to the batter. Stir carefully until fully combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
Topping:
- Stir together all topping ingredients until well combined. Crumble the topping over the batter.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Nutrition
This post originally appeared on Julie’s Eats & Treats where I am a contributor.
Elizabeth says
Mmmm this would go really well with an afternoon cuppa! Gorgeous flavours here!
Veena Azmanov says
Cranberry is my favorite at this time of the year!! Love the combination with apples. I can almost smell the spices.
Ginny says
That’s the way I like my quick bread! Loaded with fruit and nuts. Looks like the perfect breakfast to me.
Suzy says
Now this would make a great addition for Christmas brunch!
Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy says
I need this loaf in my life, stat! My coffee feels lonely!
Doreen says
Anxious to try your apple cranberry bread; it looks divine! I am assuming you used baking apples; but would you please be able to tell me the baking apple that you recommend. Can’t wait to make this for company tomorrow night! Thank you for your time and expertise!
Celebrating Sweets says
You can use your favorite baking apples. I like honeycrisp, fuji or pink lady. If you’d prefer the tartness of granny smith, you can use that. Enjoy!
Shanti says
Made this recipe twice. Delicious each time. Thank you for the recipe.
Celebrating Sweets says
You’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Amber says
Should the butter be softened for the topping? Melted made it not such a crumble topping lol
Celebrating Sweets says
It will firm up as it bakes. And once the loaf cools and the butter hardens it will be the right consistency. Enjoy!