Are you ready to bake up a storm? This Apple Butter Bread recipe is the perfect blend of comforting flavors and effortless preparation. Imagine the warm, spicy aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg mingling with the sweet tang of apple butter, all wrapped up in a perfectly golden-brown loaf. This recipe is ideal for busy weeknights, weekend baking adventures, or simply satisfying your craving for something delicious and homemade. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack. This easy recipe is a fantastic addition to your collection of quick dinner ideas and healthy meals.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup apple butter
- ½ cup milk
Instructions:
Getting Started:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. This simple step ensures your bread releases easily.
Mixing the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This combines all the dry elements for even distribution in the batter.
Creaming the Butter and Sugars:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. A stand mixer or hand mixer works perfectly for this step, saving you some elbow grease.
Adding Wet Ingredients:
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined—don't overmix!
Incorporating the Apple Butter:
- Gently fold in the apple butter until it's evenly distributed throughout the batter. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a tough bread.
Baking the Bread:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on it during the last 10 minutes, as ovens can vary.
Cooling and Serving:
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the bread from becoming soggy.
Tips for the Best Apple Butter Bread:
- Use high-quality apple butter for the best flavor. Homemade apple butter is fantastic, but store-bought works just as well.
- Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing develops the gluten, resulting in a tough bread.
- Check for doneness with a wooden skewer. If it comes out with wet batter, bake for a few more minutes.
- Let the bread cool completely before slicing. This allows the crumbs to set and prevents the bread from crumbling.
Variations:
- Add nuts: Chopped walnuts, pecans, or even macadamia nuts would add a delightful crunch.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of cardamom or allspice for a warm, aromatic twist.
- Make it a streusel topping: Prepare a simple streusel topping (flour, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon) and sprinkle it over the bread before baking.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
- Calories: 250-300
- Fat: 10-12g
- Carbohydrates: 35-40g
- Sugar: 15-20g
- Protein: 4-5g
(Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the ingredients used.) This delicious and healthy bread makes a wonderful addition to your repertoire of delicious dishes and best recipes. Enjoy!