Apples and walnuts and quick breads all sound like things that belong in the fall. And I understand, really, I do. You see, as I’m writing this very post, I would truly rather I would rather be outside by the pool. As much as I like fresh seafood, grilled corn on the cob and tart berry desserts, sometimes I feel a little tempted to preview the flavors of my favorite season. This time, it happened in quick bread form.
For new bakers, quick breads are a great place to start because they don’t involve messy frostings or fondants, the only equipment you really need is a loaf pan and a wooden spoon or mixer and the recipes are usually not overly complicated – just a couple of steps. For more advanced bakers, quick breads are fun because there is a lot of room for trial and error. This recipe can be adapted with your favorite fresh fruits – pears, berries – anything that’s in season or looks good at the market.
My love affair with quick breads started in first grade, when my mother and I made boxed quick bread for my class Thanksgiving party. It somehow became a tradition and I would whip up a loaf of cranberry bread from the ubiquitous blue box every year, until I realized that I could achieve an even better outcome with fresh cranberries and a little bit of orange zest.
Of course, cranberry bread is one of those seasonal foods that it would just seem wrong to eat in July, which is why my quick bread repertoire has expanded to include peanut butter banana bread and healthier zucchini bread. And now, an apple walnut version that you can enjoy from now right up until cranberry bread season.
Apple Walnut Quick Bread
What You Need:
1 cup chopped, peeled apple
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick-cooking or steel-cut)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup walnuts, separated into 1/2 cup and 1/4 cup
How-To:
Preheat the oven to 325°. Grease loaf pan with butter or cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl. In separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla.
Add the liquids to the dry ingredients and stir gently until flour is completely combine into the liquid. Fold the apples and 1/2 cup walnuts into the batter.Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan and top bake for 50 – 60 minutes, rotating the pan partway through. The loaf is done when the top is puffed and dry, and when a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing. Allow it to cool completely before slicing. Makes 1 loaf/12 slices.
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{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }
It does sound like fall, but I would happily eat a slice any time of the year. Fabulous combination and it looks so moist and delicious!
Quick breads are so awesome! A cinch to throw together and the perfect breakfast or snack. Looks delicious lady
We are thinking the same again. I made Apple Cinnamon Muffins earlier this week with pecans and thought it was just like Fall! My post is going up Monday.
Quick breads are awesome, apple and walnut combination sounds awesome though I have yet to try it. I love walnut bread
this looks so good and so easy! im all about that
It looks great to me too, no matter the season. A good bread is always welcome.
You have come a long way since boxed bread which, by the way, with your touch was delicious!
I loved making quick breads when I was little too. I’m not the biggest fan of cooked apples, but my family loves these flavors. I’m keeping this to make for school lunches. They’ll be so happy.
This looks delicious but I’m making your zucchini bread because of my newfound love of the veggie!
Yum!! I grew up bringing loaves of pumpkin bread and walnut-date bread to our neighbors at Thanksgiving time (made from those blue boxes!), so this will definitely be a fun and nostalgic recipe for me to try.
I just love quick reads Maris!!!
I love anything quick like this. I bet it was delicious as well. A lovely post as always.
oh my gosh, what a fabulous bread! I love apples and walnuts together!
So that’s where I have to start… I’m gonna try baking this year. I made some cookies but that’s all I know how to bake…
Oh, love this quick bread! Apples make everything nice and moist! Happy Baking!
Quick breads are one of my favorite things to bake–they’re so easy! The apple and walnut combination in this recipe sounds really good!
i LOVE quick breads and they are perfect anytime in the year!!! apple + walnut is a classic combo! they are so easily veganized too
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Apples and oatmeal…sounds perfect to me! The bread looks delicious!
Oh how I love quick breads! This one looks delicious, as does the peanut butter banana one
I love apple in any baked good, especially muffins and breads 
It’s winter here and this bread is singing my song! I picked up some great apples at the farmers market and some lovely walnuts too. I’m ready to begin.
Maris, this looks moist and delicious! Thank you, my friend!
I make apple quick breads all year round. I think it’s because the smell of apples baking (in anything) is so seductive. Or maybe it’s just because I love apple bread!
I love baked goods with apples, this quickbread looks delicious!
Quick breads are such a great way to not only learn how to start baking, but also a terrific way to switch things up if you’re felling inspired or adventurous; so fun that you started baking w/your mom – love that!
I can never get enough of these lovely quick breads. Right now my trees have teeny weeny apples, in a few months they will be ready to dive into a delicious concoction such as this
*kisses* HH
Apples are meant to be used all year round. This has what is important, apples and nuts.
How delicious, I love the buttermilk in there!
Apples are ALWAYS in season somewhere! I could enjoy this lovely bread any time- quick breads make a lovely breakfast or snack, and this one is no exception!
Hi Maris, oooo…this has been bookmarked! I love quickbreads. I make more muffins than breads, but could easily convert this into a batch. Bring on the apples! Have a good rest of the weekend.
Hehe, quick bread! Very useful in my internship, thanks for the recipe
And no I don’t think just because most people have it in fall, that doesn’t mean that you can’t!
I love apple bread at any time of year. It’s so moist and delicious and I love the oats you’ve got in there too!
I love this recipe. I agree with everyone, doesn’t matter what time of year apple bread is the best! A very healthy clean recipe too I might add, lovin’ it!
love breads like this with my afternoon tea
This recipe looks awesome! We really like apple bread and this looks like when will want to try!!
I am one of those struggling baker(if there is anyone else beside me) This kind of bread .. simple .. with a hint of fruit has always been my fav. Looks lovely
This looks delicious! It looks so moist and yummy!
This. sounds. so. goooood!!! I love apples and love walnuts. I usually only ever see banana nut bread, but apple? Never. But why not?! It’s a great combo and this looks and sounds delicious
Apples and walnuts are such a great combination! I love the picture of that slice with the bits of apple peeking out… I bet it tasted fabulous! Thanks for sharing, Maris!
I love quick breads too! Banana bread is a favourite-we don’t see a lot of apple bread for some reason but it looks great! And I love vegetable breads with their soft and moist texture
This sounds so fabulous am bookmarking to make sometime soon. Thank you!
I can picture myself eating this with a cold tall glass of milk.
Quick breads are my favorite! I make them all the time and it’s fun ’cause you can make muffins with the same batter. I make an apricot one we love and pumpkin…so I’m always in fall mode too. Doesn’t make any difference to us! Apple and walnut quick bread looks and sounds wonderful.
I like apples any day of the year!
What an amazing recipe…I have seen something like this with bananas but never with apple..Banana makes it so dense whereas the apple wouldn’t do that…I have bookmarked this…will need to give it a go…
-Shilpa
Quick breads are one of my favorite things to bake to bring to work- so easy to transport and share
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This is one of my favourites! I can never resist walnuts and I love using them in loaves like this one.
There is something about the combination of apples and walnuts that is wonderful. I love quick breads but usually fall back on my favorite banana bread recipe. This sounds delicious!
Yay… I love mix and bake type of easy and quick bread/cake. I feel like I won’t fail.
Apple and walnut goes well together but I had never had both in the cake/bread before. This sounds awesome!
this sounds delicious
although i will bookmark it for the fall… hehe
I’m all over zucchini bread during the summer once I start to get zucchinis by the bushel full from friends with gardens.
I like that you used oats in the bread. I don’t think I’ve ever tried making a quick bread with oats before. I bet it gives a geat flavour!
Wish I had some of this for breakfast
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