Why You’ll Love This Apple Streusel Bread
If you’re seeking the ultimate fall comfort food that fills your home with the most heavenly aroma, this Apple Streusel Bread is about to become your new obsession. Trust me, I’ve made this countless times, and it never disappoints.
What makes it so special? It’s that perfect balance of moist, apple-studded bread with a crumbly brown sugar-walnut topping that creates the most satisfying texture contrast. The combination of apple pie filling and applesauce gives it an intense apple flavor without being overly sweet. And the best part? It actually tastes better the next day. Morning coffee companion, solved.
What Ingredients are in Apple Streusel Bread?
This cozy cinnamon apple streusel bread brings together the perfect combination of pantry staples and apple goodness to create a fall treat that’s absolutely irresistible. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity—you probably have most of these ingredients already hanging out in your kitchen.
And can we talk about how the aroma will transform your home into the coziest autumn sanctuary? Nothing beats the smell of cinnamon and apples baking on a crisp fall day.
- 2 1/2 cups packaged baking mix
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons apple pie spice
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 1 (21 ounce) can apple pie filling
- 1 cup applesauce
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar (divided)
- 2/3 cup cooking oil
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
A quick note about these ingredients—they’re pretty forgiving. Don’t have apple pie spice? No problem, you can make your own with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of allspice.
The walnuts are listed as optional in the original recipe, but they add such a wonderful texture contrast to the soft bread that I’d recommend keeping them if you don’t have nut allergies.
And while the recipe calls for specific brands of apple pie filling and applesauce, any quality brands will work just fine. The combination of both apple pie filling and applesauce is what gives this bread its incredibly moist texture and concentrated apple flavor.
How to Make This Apple Streusel Bread
Making this apple streusel bread is truly a delight, and the process couldn’t be simpler. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and taking a moment to properly prepare two 8x4x2-inch loaf pans—a thorough greasing and flouring will guarantee your beautiful loaves release easily later on. This is one of those steps I used to skip (who has time, right?), but trust me, it makes all the difference between a perfect presentation and a crumbly mess.
In a large bowl, whisk together 2½ cups packaged baking mix, ½ cup flour, and 2 teaspoons of apple pie spice until well combined.
Then, in a separate bowl, create your wet mixture by combining 4 beaten eggs, a 21-ounce can of apple pie filling, 1 cup of applesauce, ½ cup of the brown sugar (save the rest for topping!), and ⅔ cup cooking oil. When you pour this glorious apple-scented mixture into your dry ingredients, resist the urge to overmix—stir just until everything is moistened, no more. Overmixing is the silent killer of tender quick breads, creating tough tunnels instead of that melt-in-your-mouth texture we’re after.
Divide this cinnamon-speckled batter evenly between your prepared pans, then sprinkle each loaf with the remaining brown sugar and ½ cup chopped walnuts for that signature streusel crunch.
The bread needs about 55 to 60 minutes in the oven, but the real test is when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Can you smell that heavenly aroma filling your kitchen?
Once baked, patience becomes your virtue—let the loaves cool in their pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes before carefully removing them to cool completely.
And here’s a pro tip that makes all the difference: wrap the completely cooled bread and store it overnight before slicing. This rest period allows the flavors to meld and the texture to set perfectly, making for cleaner slices and an even more impressive flavor profile when you finally cut into this autumn treasure.
Apple Streusel Bread Substitutions and Variations
While the classic apple streusel bread recipe delivers mouthwatering results, you don’t need to feel constrained by the exact ingredients listed.
I’ve swapped the packaged baking mix for all-purpose flour with a little baking powder and salt when my pantry was running low. Not a walnut fan? Pecans or almonds work beautifully, or skip the nuts entirely if allergies are a concern.
For a healthier twist, I sometimes replace half the oil with Greek yogurt.
And can we talk about the filling? Fresh diced apples tossed with cinnamon and sugar create a more rustic texture than pie filling, though it’s a bit more work.
What to Serve with Apple Streusel Bread
Apple streusel bread pairs beautifully with three fantastic companions for a complete breakfast or afternoon treat.
I love serving mine with a dollop of whipped cream cheese that melts slightly into the warm bread—absolutely divine. A mug of hot apple cider or coffee balances the sweetness perfectly, especially on chilly mornings when you need something cozy.
For brunch gatherings, try adding a side of yogurt drizzled with honey and fresh berries. The tangy yogurt cuts through the richness of the bread, creating that perfect sweet-tart balance that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
Final Thoughts
After baking this cinnamon apple streusel bread countless times, I’m convinced it’s one of those recipes worth keeping in your permanent collection.
The aroma that fills your kitchen while it bakes is practically therapeutic—like autumn wrapped in a warm hug.
What I love most is its versatility. Perfect for breakfast with coffee, an afternoon pick-me-up, or dressed up with vanilla ice cream for dessert.
The overnight rest really does make slicing easier, though I rarely have the patience to wait that long. Who could blame me? Those walnut-brown sugar bits on top are simply irresistible.
Cozy Cinnamon Apple Streusel Bread
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
-
Preheat oven to 350°F. Thoroughly grease and flour two 8x4x2-inch loaf pans.
-
In a large bowl, whisk together the packaged baking mix, flour, and apple pie spice until well combined.
-
In a separate bowl, combine the beaten eggs, apple pie filling, applesauce, 1/2 cup of the brown sugar, and cooking oil.
-
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until moistened. Be careful not to overmix.
-
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared loaf pans.
-
Sprinkle each loaf with the remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar and the chopped walnuts.
-
Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
-
Cool in pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and allow to cool completely.
-
For best results, wrap the completely cooled bread and store overnight before slicing.
Nutrition
Notes
If you don’t have apple pie spice, you can make your own by combining cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of allspice. The walnuts add wonderful texture but can be omitted for those with nut allergies.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. This bread also freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
Tried this recipe?
Cozy Cinnamon Apple Streusel Bread
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Thoroughly grease and flour two 8x4x2-inch loaf pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the packaged baking mix, flour, and apple pie spice until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, combine the beaten eggs, apple pie filling, applesauce, 1/2 cup of the brown sugar, and cooking oil.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until moistened. Be careful not to overmix.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared loaf pans.
- Sprinkle each loaf with the remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar and the chopped walnuts.
- Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and allow to cool completely.
- For best results, wrap the completely cooled bread and store overnight before slicing.
