Moist, apple, cinnamony deliciousness! Inspired by a german apple cake recipe this easy vegan Apple Cinnamon Bread does not disappoint. Fresh granny smith apples balance out the sweetness while the cinnamon adds a warm wholesomeness to every bite. Eat for breakfast, dessert, or as a snack.
Who doesn't love apples!?! I know I do. Every autumn I buy a big bag of them at the farmer's market that I turn into some kind of appley goodness. Applesauce, apple compote, apple butter, apple cake... And every year there is apple bliss for months.
But this year my apple cooking extravaganza did not go exactly to plan!
It was one of those rare times in recipe testing that feels like groundhog day. You keep repeating the same process over and over making ever so slight changes, but nope, it still doesn't work.
The recipe I kept failing at was one that I had eaten many times, but also many years ago. As a kid, I had a neighbor from Germany who would make the most amazing German apple cake every year when apple season came around. So this year I thought I'd give it a go and try to develop a vegan version of that same cake.
But the recipe just did not want to work, or rather I just couldn't make it work. First it was mush, then it was like a cookie bar, and then an even tastier cookie bar! Don't get me wrong the recipe tasted amazing, but I just could not get a texture that I was happy with.
Have I mentioned that I'm a perfectionist!?!
So I tried and tried, but after several attempts I decided to put the German apple cake recipe on the shelf for later testing. Yet, I just couldn't completely give up! I was determined. The flavors were fantastic, but the plant based culinary science in the kitchen was not, so I thought why not take all those amazing apple cinnamon flavors and make a vegan quick bread.
From a series of failed german apple cake recipes came to be a moist, yummy, eat any time of day apple bread!
I'll get back to that German apple cake next autumn when my home needs warming up again. Until then, in my house we are happily eating this delicious, appley cinnamon baked good.
What Ingredients Are Needed?
This vegan quick bread only requires basic ingredients that most of us have in our pantry all the time.
- Granny Smith Apples
- Cinnamon & Nutmeg
- All-purpose Flour
- Ground Flaxseed
- Cane Sugar & Brown Sugar
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda
- Grapeseed Oil
- Almond Milk
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Vanilla
Fresh granny smith apples are the main ingredient and most important! The apples add moisture, sweetness, and tang.
The batter is made of flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, flax eggs, almond milk, oil, and apple cider vinegar. Together the flour and flax eggs bind the bread together. The baking powder, baking soda, and vinegar act as raising agents by creating a chemical reaction which makes the apple bread rise in this plant based recipe.
The cinnamon with a pinch of nutmeg adds that flavor of warm home goodness. The the vanilla gives the bread a more developed flavor and the touch of salt helps to balance out the sweetness.
Why granny smith apples?
Ask almost anyone who bakes and they will most likely tell you that one of their favorite types of apple to bake with is the granny smith. Why? For starters, they pack a punch in flavor. Tart, tangy granny smith apples add delicious flavor to baked goods when paired with the right amount of sweetness. They are also quite firm in texture so they hold up really well to heat, which makes them perfect for baking.
You can not go wrong when using granny smith apples in this apple cinnamon bread!
That being said, I'm not a total apple snob! I just happen to be a big fan of the bright green, crisp, and ever so sour granny smith. They add a lot of flavor and are one of the healthiest apples you can eat.
But there are many varieties of apples that work really well in baking. You can use any apple you would like in this recipe. The resulting recipe may vary a tad in flavor and texture, but you will still not be disappointed as you fill your face with this apple cinnamony goodness.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Bread
Quick breads are one of the easiest things to make in baking and this plant based version is no different. It just takes one bowl and about an hour later you will have warm yummy apple bread ready to gobble up!
To begin, don't forget to preheat your oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit!
I highly suggest prepping your 9x5 inch loaf pan by both greasing and then dusting with flour as well as lining the bottom with parchment paper. Why do both? There is nothing worse than having your loaf stick to the bottom of the pan. Parchment paper works wonders in baking. Non-stick pan or not, I'm telling ya!
You want to make your flax eggs before you begin the batter, so they have plenty of time to firm up and turn into a gel like consistency. To do this mix your flaxseed meal with the warm water in a small bowl. Then set the bowl in the fridge for about 10 minutes.
To make the batter sift together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set the sifted ingredients to the side.
Now in a large bowl beat the oil, flax eggs, sugar, and brown sugar with a whisk until well combined. Add in the almond milk, vanilla, and apple cider vinegar to the mixture and beat again until combined.
Next, slowly add the flour mixture to the liquid mixture a little at a time. Folding it all together to make a batter. You want to fully incorporate the flour, but still be careful not to overmix. The batter will be slightly thick.
Finally, fold the diced apples into the batter. Pour into the loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees farenheit for 55 to 65 minutes. The bread is done when it is golden brown, firm, and a cake tester or toothpick comes out clean.
Allow the bread to cool in the loaf pan on a cooling rack for 20 minutes. Then run a knife around the edges and turn out from the pan. Make sure the loaf is cooled off enough before you do this or it can fall apart. Continue to cool the bread on the cooling rack until it is ready to be sliced.
You will love this Apple Cinnamon Bread because it's:
- Moist
- Quick and easy
- Wholesome good, cinnamony delicious
- Great for breakfast, dessert, and a snack
How to Store & Reheat
Make sure the bread is completely cooled off before storing it in an airtight container or wrapped securely in plastic wrap. It will keep at room temperature for about 3 days. To store longer you can freeze the remainder of the loaf for up to 3 months. For individual size portions cut into slices before freezing.
Reheat in the oven or toaster at a medium temperature.
I hope you fancy this Apple Cinnamon Bread! May it bring smiles to your tummy with eat slice!
If you try this recipe please let me know how it turns out by leaving a comment and rating. You can also hashtag #danceswithknives with a photo of your creation on Instagram where you can find me @dances_with_knives.
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Apple Cinnamon Bread
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal
- 5 tablespoon warm water
- 2 cups granny smith apples, peeled and diced (2-3 apples)
- 2 ⅓ cups all purpose flour (300 grams)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 pinches nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sugar (200 grams)
- ¼ cup light brown sugar (54 grams)
- ⅓ cup grapeseed or vegetable oil
- ¾ cup almond milk
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
- Make flaxseed eggs by mixing the 2 tablespoon of ground flaxseed meal with the 5 tablespoon of warm water in a small bowl. Then set the mixture in the fridge for 7-10 minutes to firm up and turn into a gel like consistency.
- Prepare a 9x5 inch loaf pan by greasing it, dusting with flour, and then lining with parchment paper. The parchment paper is worth the extra step to ensure your bread doesn’t stick to the bottom.
- Peel, core, and dice the apples. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl sift together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Now in a large bowl beat the oil, flax eggs, sugar, and brown sugar with a whisk until well combined.
- Next, add the vanilla, apple cider vinegar, and almond milk to the flax egg, oil and sugar mixture. Again beat to combine.
- Slowly add the flour mixture a little at a time folding it in to combine well, but being careful not to overmix. The batter will be thick.
- Once the flour is mixed in well, fold in the diced apples.
- Pour into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees farenheit for 55 to 65 minutes until firm and golden brown. A cake tester should come out clean when the apple bread is done.
- Allow the bread to cool on a cooling rack in the pan for 20 minutes. Then turn out from the loaf pan and continue to cool in the cooling rack. Make sure the loaf is cooled off enough before you do this or it can fall apart.Slice to eat and enjoy!
Traci says
I loved this apple loaf. My family had it for breakfast this past weekend. Do you think pears would work in place of the apples too?
Kim says
So glad you enjoyed it! I don't think pears would be a good substitute in this case because while apples tend to hold their shape, pears can often times get mushy. This loaf is already pretty moist, so I just wouldn't want you to end up with mush. But if you do try it please let me know how it goes!