Name: Applesauce Cranberry Bread
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup unsweetened applesauce; ⅓ cup vegetable oil or light olive oil; 2 eggs; 3 tablespoons milk; 2 cups all purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon nutmeg; 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries; ¼ cup brown sugar, packed; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ cup chopped pecans

Maybe it’s the arrival of the cozy months, or maybe I am just feeling extra nostalgic but I have really been leaning into old fashioned recipes like this Applesauce Cranberry Bread. It’s so easy, made with simple ingredients, freezes well, and just feels like a warm hug!

Applesauce cranberry bread on a wood cutting board with 2 slices cut out and laying in front of the loaf to expose all the cranberries inside

I have always be drawn to making quick breads and muffins. When my kids were young and packing lunches were part of my routine, it was so easy to whip up a loaf of what I always call “quick bread”.

Baking with cranberries is something I look forward to all year. Since our Thanksgiving is in October, fresh cranberries start to show up in the grocery stores in September. As soon as they are available, I bake up a few loaves of Cranberry Zucchini Bread or Cranberry Banana Nut Bread and freeze some to enjoy throughout the fall and winter.

This sweet and tangy fall cranberry loaf is moist and flavourful thanks to the applesauce and burst of tartness from the fresh cranberries. The cinnamon and nutmeg – the coziest of spices infuse the bread with warm flavour and fill your kitchen with the most delicious aroma.

Ingredients

sugar
applesauce
vegetable oil or light olive oil
eggs
milk
all purpose flour
baking soda and baking powder
ground cinnamon, salt and nutmeg
pecans
brown sugar
fresh cranberries

How to make Applesauce Cranberry Bread

Be sure to see the full printable recipe below

Sugar, applesauce, oil, eggs and milk whisked together in a large glass mixing bowl.

All purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt whisked together to make an applesauce cranberry loaf.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper or spray with non-stick spray and set aside. In a large mixing bowl whisk together sugar, applesauce, oil, eggs and milk. In another bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; add to applesauce mixture and still just until combined and no streaks of flour remain.

Fresh cranberries tossed with a bit of all purpose flour in a small mixing bowl.

Fresh cranberries stirred in the batter for cranberry applesauce loaf.

Toss fresh cranberries in a bowl with a bit of flour and fold into batter. Transfer batter to prepared loaf pan.

A crumble made of brown sugar, pecans and cinnamon to add on top of applesauce bread.

Applesauce bread with cranberries topped with a pecan brown sugar crumble before baking.

In a small bowl combine brown sugar, cinnamon and pecans to make crumb topping. Sprinkle over the batter; bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes then cover loosely with foil and continue baking for another 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to continue cooling.

A loaf of cranberry applesauce bread fresh from the oven.

Tips for the Best Results

Gather and measure all your ingredients before starting to make the recipe to ensure you have everything you need and in the right amounts!
Wash and thoroughly dry cranberries, then dust with a tablespoon of flour to prevent them from sinking in the batter when baked.
Allow the baked loaf to cool completely for the best slices, as it may crumble if sliced when too warm.

Serving Suggestions

This cozy cranberry applesauce quick bread is delicious warm from the oven with a bit of butter, enjoy a slice with a cup of tea or coffee for a mid afternoon snack, or wrap it up in pretty cellophane for a beautiful hostess gift. Don’t forget to attach the recipe card.

Variations

Sift icing sugar over the cooled loaf for a hint of extra sweetness.
Make a quick “frosting” by mixing some icing sugar with milk to drizzle over top.
Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for some extra crunch.

Close up of a cranberry loaf sliced to see the inside.

How to Store

Keep in an airtight container lined with a piece of paper towel for 2 to 3 days, or wrap tightly in plastic wrap to freeze – defrost at room temperature before serving.

There is just something about the combination of apple and cranberry that feels like fall in every bite. Whether you are baking a loaf to pack in lunches, enjoy with a cuppa or to share with friends, this quick bread recipe is simple, cozy and perfectly homemade!

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