Saucy Apple Bread

Three forms of apple in one loaf. Apple cider, applesauce, and diced Granny Smith pieces all go into this bread machine recipe, layering flavor from every angle. The cider provides a tangy liquid base. The applesauce adds moisture and body. The fresh apple chunks give you bursts of tart fruit in every slice.

Plain yogurt and honey round out the dough with a gentle tang and floral sweetness, while walnuts bring crunch that holds up through the bake. A touch of vanilla ties everything together without making it taste like dessert.

This bread straddles the line between breakfast and snack. Toast a thick slice, spread some butter on it, and you won’t need anything else until lunch.

Kitchen Tips

• Leave the skin on the Granny Smith apple. It holds its shape during baking and adds flecks of green throughout the loaf.
• Dice the apple small, about ¼ inch. Larger pieces create air pockets around them that can make the bread crumbly.
• If your machine has a fruit/nut add-in beep, wait for it before adding the diced apple and walnuts. Early addition turns them to mush during kneading.
• Use unsweetened applesauce. Sweetened versions plus the honey will push this into cake territory.

Variations

• Add a teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg for a spiced apple loaf.
• Swap walnuts for pecans or toasted almonds.
• Use Honeycrisp or Fuji apple instead of Granny Smith for a sweeter, less tart bread.