Apple Banana Bread

Name: Apple Banana Bread
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 65 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 10 tablespoons butter (softened, divided (1 stick plus 2 tablespoons)); 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 large crisp-sweet apple (peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (like Honeycrisp, Envy, or Gala) (about 1 1/2 cups)); 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon (divided); 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 very ripe bananas (mashed (about 1 cup))

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Apples and cinnamon add a cozy fall twist to this Apple Banana Bread. This easy quick bread recipe is a delicious way to welcome the fall season!

Slices of Apple Banana Bread on a cutting board.

Many recipes require several rounds of testing with little tweaks made each time to get them just right, but not this one. It was one and done!

The first time I baked this cozy Apple Banana Bread it was consumed by my family so quickly I knew I had something special on my hands.

Slices of Apple Banana Bread on a cutting board with apples.

Ingredients

Bananas that are a bit too ripe to enjoy on their own are perfect for baking banana bread.
My favorite variety of apples for baking are in the crisp-sweet category like, Gala, Envy, or Honeycrisp.
The remaining ingredients are all pantry/kitchen staples which means anytime you have a couple of overripe bananas on your hands you can grab a couple of apples and get baking!

How to Make Apple Banana Bread

Add 2 tablespoons of the butter and the brown sugar to a large skillet and place over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring, until the butter has melted.
Add the apples and increase the heat to medium. Cook, stirring, until the apples are tender, about 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla.
Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.

Combine the Dry Ingredients

The dry ingredients are combined in a mixing bowl.

Add the all-purpose flour to a medium mixing bowl.
Add the remaining dry ingredients – baking soda, salt, cloves, nutmeg and the remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and stir to combine.

Combine the Wet Ingredients

The wet ingredients are combined in a mixing bowl.

Beat the butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix until smooth.
Add the mashed bananas and the remaining 1 teaspoon of vanilla and beat until smooth.

Finish the Batter and Bake

Apples are mixed into the batter and transferred to a loaf pan.

Add the dry ingredients all at once and beat on low speed until smooth. Fold in the apple mixture with a wooden spoon.
Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface.
Bake for 60 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cover loosely with foil towards the end of the baking time if the loaf becomes too browned. Remove it from the oven and allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a rack to cool completely.

A hand lifting a slice from a stack of bread.

How do you store Apple Banana Bread?

There is no need to store freshly baked banana bread in the refrigerator. Instead, place it on a plate and cover it with plastic wrap and leave it on the kitchen counter. Alternately, you can transfer it to an airtight container.

How long does Apple Banana Bread stay fresh?

If covered and stored on the counter it will stay fresh for up to 4 days. If you keep it longer, it may begin to dry out a bit but toasting it can help the texture. If at any point you see mold, it should be tossed.

Can you freeze Apple Banana Bread?

You can freeze a whole loaf or slices by wrapping the bread securely in a double layer of foil. Transfer the foil-wrapped package to a freezer-safe plastic storage bag and store it in the freezer. The bread should be thawed and consumed within a few months for the best quality.

What’s the best way to thaw Apple Banana Bread?

Remove the foil-wrapped bread from the plastic bag to avoid any condensation from collecting and potentially making the bread soggy. Allow the foil-wrapped bread to thaw completely on your kitchen counter. You can speed up the process by microwaving individual slices for a few seconds or popping them in the toaster.

This bread is spectacularly delicious warm from the oven and slathered with butter. Try toasting slices the next day for the same delicious effect.

More easy, delicious quick bread recipes:

Strawberry Banana Bread
Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Carrot Zucchini Bread with Cream Cheese Walnut Frosting
Check out my entire collection of Muffin and Quick Bread Recipes!