Easy Frosted Applesauce Quick Bread

Easy recipe for frosted applesauce bread full of warm flavors of cinnamon, allspice & nutmeg. You don’t even need a mixer to make this delicious quick bread.

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When the air turns crisp and the days shorten, nothing fills the kitchen with warmth quite like the scent of apples and spice. This easy quick bread is moist, tender, and brimming with cozy autumn flavors. A brown sugar pecan topping bakes right on, adding crunch, while a drizzle of sweet frosting finishes it off beautifully.

Enjoyed with a cup of coffee in the morning, tuck into a lunchbox, or offer as a simple dessert after dinner. Best of all, it comes together quickly, no mixer required.

Why You’ll Love It

• Tender and flavorful with applesauce and spice

• Quick and easy ~ no mixer needed

• Crunchy topping plus optional sweet frosting

• Perfect for fall baking or gift-giving

Variations and Add-Ins

• Swap pecans for walnuts, almonds, or leave out nuts entirely.

• Add a handful of raisins or dried cranberries for a fruity note.

• Try orange juice instead of milk in the frosting for a citrus twist.

• Dust with powdered sugar instead of frosting for a lighter finish.

Tips for Success

• Don’t overmix: Stir the batter just until combined to keep the crumb tender.

• Check early: Start testing at 50 minutes; ovens vary.

• Cool completely: Frosting will melt if the bread is still warm.

• Double batch: Bake two loaves and freeze one (without frosting) for later.

Storage and Freezing

• Room Temperature: Wrap tightly and store up to 3 days.

• Refrigerator: Keep covered for up to 5 days.

• Freezer: Freeze without frosting for up to 2 months. Thaw, then frost before serving.

Ingredients and Their Roles

Applesauce

Unsweetened applesauce adds natural sweetness and keeps the bread moist. If you only have sweetened applesauce, reduce the sugar slightly.

Warm Spices

Cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice give the loaf that classic autumn aroma and flavor.

Pecans

Half go into the batter for crunch, and the other half are mixed with brown sugar and cinnamon for a streusel-like topping.

Simple Frosting

Just powdered sugar, a pinch of salt, and milk create a drizzle that highlights the bread without overpowering it.

Easy Frosted Applesauce Quick Bread

Getting started…

Chop pecans. You will need 1 cup, divided.

Combine the 1 1/4 cups applesauce, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 2 (lightly beaten) large eggs and 3 tablespoons milk in a large mixing bowl.

Stir until well combined.

In a medium mixing bowl, add 2 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon allspice. 

Whisk until well combined.

Add flour mixture to applesauce mixture, stirring just until combined.

Fold 1/2 cup pecans into the batter. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.

Make Topping:

In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/2 cup pecans, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon.

Mix until combined. 

Sprinkle topping over batter in pan.

Bake for 1 hour or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes; remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack. Drizzle frosting over cooled bread.

Easy Frosted Applesauce Quick Bread Recipe

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Equipment

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 × 5-inch loaf pan.

Ingredients

  

Quick Bread

• 1 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs slightly beaten
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 cup chopped pecans; divided

Additional Topping

• 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Frosting (optional)

• 1 cup confectioners sugar
• A few grains of salt
• About 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

 

Quick Bread

• In a large bowl, stir together applesauce, sugar, oil, eggs, and milk.
• In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Add to applesauce mixture and stir until just combined.
• Fold in 1/2 cup pecans. Pour batter into prepared pan.

Additional Topping

• Mix remaining 1/2 cup pecans, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Sprinkle over batter.
• Bake 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes; remove and cool completely.

Frosting

• I like to add a light grizzle of frosting on the applesauce bread using 1 cup confectioners sugar, a few grains of salt and enough milk (about 2 tablespoons), stirred together until desired consistency.

If you prefer, the bread is wonderful even without the frosting. The spiced crumb and nutty topping give plenty of flavor, making it a great everyday version. A light dusting of confectioners’ sugar is another option.

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