Discover the ultimate comfort food with this incredibly easy and absolutely delicious Applesauce Bread with Chocolate Chips. Rated 5-stars by those who’ve baked it, this recipe is a true gem, offering a delightful blend of moist texture, sweet applesauce, and a symphony of warm, aromatic spices like cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. Perfect for embracing the cozy flavors of fall or bringing a touch of homemade warmth to any season, this bread is a comforting treat you won’t want to miss.

Irresistibly Sweet Chocolate Chip Applesauce Spice Bread

My passion for vintage cookbooks often leads to discovering timeless recipes that deserve to be shared, and this Applesauce Bread with Chocolate Chips is certainly one of them. It beautifully blurs the line between a dense, comforting cake and a wholesome quick bread, with cinnamon-infused applesauce giving it an unparalleled softness and a distinct taste of autumn. While the pairing of rich chocolate and fragrant cinnamon might seem unconventional to some, I wholeheartedly encourage you to try it. The flavors meld together harmoniously, creating a unique and memorable profile. If chocolate isn’t your preference, feel free to omit the chocolate chips entirely, or enhance the texture and taste by adding your favorite chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts.

This crowd-pleasing recipe holds a special place in my heart, originating from a small town in Earling, Iowa—the very place my husband grew up. There’s an unspoken rule in small communities: only truly delicious recipes make it into local cookbooks. A lackluster dish simply wouldn’t survive the town’s grapevine! This bread’s enduring popularity is a testament to its exceptional flavor and heartwarming appeal, having been shared and enjoyed for generations within a community that values good, honest cooking.

I find immense joy in baking with applesauce. In my experience, it’s a magical ingredient that elevates bread and cake recipes to new heights, imbuing them with an incredible moistness and just the right touch of natural sweetness. When I have it on hand, I love to use my homemade cinnamon applesauce, prepared effortlessly in my trusty Crockpot. Not only does it add an extra layer of flavor to this bread, but the process of making it fills the entire house with the most inviting, comforting aroma, setting the perfect mood for baking.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Applesauce Bread Recipe

There are countless reasons why this Chocolate Chip Applesauce Bread is destined to become a staple in your kitchen. From its effortless preparation to its delightful flavor, it truly stands out:

• Effortless Preparation: This recipe is incredibly straightforward, perfect for both novice and experienced bakers. With just a few simple steps—preheating the oven, mixing the ingredients, and baking—you’ll have a wonderfully moist and flavorful quick bread ready in no time. It’s the ideal sweet bread recipe when you want to impress your family or guests without spending hours in the kitchen. Its simplicity makes it a joy to bake again and again.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: While it boasts the comforting flavors of fall, making it a fantastic choice for autumnal celebrations, Thanksgiving, or Halloween, this versatile bread is equally cherished during the colder months. We particularly adore baking it for Christmas and other winter gatherings. Its warm spices and delightful sweetness make it a welcome addition to holiday breakfast tables, dessert spreads, or as a thoughtful homemade gift.
• Unforgettable Flavor: Among all the quick bread recipes I’ve encountered, this one consistently ranks as a top favorite. The combination of softened butter, rich sugar, and a carefully selected blend of warm spices creates a taste experience that is nothing short of heavenly. Each bite is a harmonious blend of sweet and spicy, with a tender crumb that simply melts in your mouth. You’ll find yourself reaching for another slice before you know it.
• Incredibly Moist Texture: Thanks to the generous amount of applesauce, this bread achieves an exceptional level of moisture that prevents it from ever being dry. The applesauce acts as a natural humectant, keeping the bread soft and tender for days, making it perfect for enjoying over time or for meal prepping a delicious breakfast or snack.

Essential Ingredients for Your Applesauce Bread

Crafting this delicious bread requires a balanced mix of wet and dry ingredients, each playing a crucial role in its final flavor and texture.

Wet Ingredients:

• Unsalted Butter: Using softened butter is key to achieving the bread’s rich flavor and incredibly tender, moist crumb. It cream’s beautifully with sugar and eggs, forming the foundational texture.
• Large Eggs: Eggs serve as a vital binder, providing structure and richness to the bread. For the best results, I always recommend using fresh, high-quality eggs, whether they’re farm-fresh or organic, as they contribute significantly to the overall taste and baking performance.
• Cinnamon Applesauce: This is the star ingredient! Cinnamon applesauce not only adds natural sweetness and a burst of apple flavor but also acts as an excellent substitute for some of the fat, making the bread wonderfully moist without being heavy. Its inherent sweetness also means we can sometimes reduce the added sugar, contributing to a healthier profile. If you don’t have cinnamon applesauce, regular unsweetened applesauce with an extra pinch of cinnamon will work beautifully.

Dry Ingredients:

• Granulated Sugar: Simple white granulated sugar provides the perfect amount of sweetness and helps achieve that beautiful golden-brown crust. It also contributes to the bread’s moistness by attracting and retaining water.
• All-Purpose Flour: Your favorite brand of all-purpose flour will work perfectly here. Proper measurement is crucial to prevent the bread from becoming dense or dry, so be sure to spoon and level your flour for accuracy.
• Baking Soda: This leavening agent is essential for giving the bread its wonderful rise and light, airy texture. When combined with the acidic applesauce, it creates the perfect chemical reaction for a tender bake.
• Warm Spices: A delightful trio of ground cinnamon, allspice, and cloves infuses this bread with its signature warm, inviting “spiciness.” Cinnamon offers a sweet and woody note, allspice provides a complex blend of clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon, and cloves add a hint of peppery sweetness, creating a truly comforting aroma and taste that evokes the essence of autumn.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: These add pockets of melty, rich chocolate throughout the bread, creating a wonderful contrast to the spiced applesauce flavor. Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips are excellent choices, but as mentioned, they can be omitted or swapped for other mix-ins like nuts or dried fruit.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Applesauce Bread with Chocolate Chips

Baking this delightful Applesauce Bread is a breeze! Just follow these simple steps to create a moist and flavorful treat:

Step One: Prepare and Cream Ingredients

Begin by preheating your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (160°C). Prepare a 9″x5″ loaf pan by lightly greasing it, then set it aside. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and eggs until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This step incorporates air, contributing to the bread’s tender texture.

Step Two: Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Applesauce

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the cinnamon applesauce. Mix slowly and gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough bread.

Step Three: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Bake

Finally, gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter until they are evenly distributed. Pour the prepared batter into your greased loaf pan. Bake for approximately one hour, or until the bread achieves a beautiful golden-brown color on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This indicates it’s fully cooked through.

Once baked, allow the bread to cool in the pan for at least 10-15 minutes before carefully transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This crucial cooling period helps the bread set properly and prevents it from breaking. Enjoy this delightful Applesauce Bread warm or at room temperature!

Love This Recipe? Pin It for Later!

Don’t let this incredibly indulgent and comforting bread recipe slip away! If you’re ever in need of a sweet treat to satisfy that chocolate craving or a warm, spiced delight for a cozy evening, this Applesauce Bread with Chocolate Chips is your answer. Be sure to save this fantastic recipe to your Pinterest board so you can easily find it whenever the craving strikes!

Helpful Tips for Perfect Applesauce Bread

• Customization with Nuts: For an extra layer of flavor and delightful crunch, consider adding your favorite chopped nuts to the batter. Pecans, walnuts, or almonds are all excellent choices that complement the warm spices and applesauce beautifully, adding healthy fats and protein.
• Accurate Flour Measurement: Achieving the perfect texture is crucial. Always measure your flour precisely by spooning it into your measuring cup and then leveling it off with a straight edge. Scooping directly from the bag can pack too much flour, resulting in a dry or dense loaf.
• Proper Storage for Freshness: To keep your Applesauce Bread fresh and moist, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. It will remain delicious for up to five days. For longer storage, individual slices can be wrapped and frozen in a freezer-safe bag for up to three to four months. Thaw at room temperature or gently reheat.
• Serving Temperature Preference: This versatile quick bread is equally delicious served warm or at room temperature. A warm slice offers a comforting, melty chocolate experience, while a room-temperature slice showcases its moist crumb and spiced flavors perfectly.
• Enhance with Zest: For a bright, citrusy note that complements the apples and spices, try adding a teaspoon of orange or lemon zest to the batter. It adds an unexpected layer of freshness.

Delightful Serving Suggestions

This delightful Applesauce Bread with Chocolate Chips is incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with a variety of accompaniments. Serve it as a sweet side alongside any of your favorite main dishes, or explore our other Fall recipes for more seasonal inspiration. We love to enjoy a slice with a dollop of softened butter, a spread of creamy nut butter, or alongside fresh seasonal fruit. It’s also the perfect partner for your morning coffee or a relaxing cup of tea, making for a truly comforting experience. For an extra treat, consider serving it with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a light cream cheese frosting.

More Quick Bread Recipes You’ll Adore

Quick bread recipes are a favorite in my household, and I’m sure they’ll become yours too! They are incredibly easy to whip up and always deliver satisfying results. Here are a few more of our beloved quick bread recipes that you might enjoy:

• The Last Banana Bread Recipe You’ll Ever Need (pictured above) – a classic, perfected for ultimate moisture and flavor.
• Chocolate Orange Banana Bread – a delightful twist on banana bread with bright citrus notes.
• Grandma’s Zucchini Bread – a wonderfully moist way to enjoy garden-fresh zucchini.
• Cranberry Apple Streusel Bread – a fruity and crumbly topping delight.
• The Best Pumpkin Bread – spiced perfection for autumn cravings.
• Cherry Cheese Bread – a sweet and savory combination that’s surprisingly delicious.
• Pear Bread – a subtly sweet and tender loaf, perfect for pear season.

Ready to fill your home with the inviting aroma of cinnamon and chocolate? Let’s bake some unforgettable Chocolate Chip Applesauce Bread today!

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Print Recipe

Applesauce Bread with Chocolate Chips

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins

Cuisine: American

Servings: 12 servings

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup cinnamon applesauce
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Lightly grease a 9″x5″ loaf pan and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and eggs until light and fluffy.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the cinnamon applesauce. Mix slowly until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
4. Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter.
5. Pour the prepared batter evenly into the greased loaf pan.
6. Bake for approximately one hour, or until the bread is golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures the bread sets properly and prevents it from crumbling.