Sourdough Applesauce Bread

Sourdough applesauce bread is the perfect seasonal quick bread recipe that incorporates sourdough discard to round out its flavors.

My absolute favorite flavors of autumn are apples and cinnamon. There’s just something about them that’s even better than pumpkin (sorry not sorry)! A staple fall recipe for me growing up was this Apple Pecan Bread. It’s got chunks of apples, lots of cinnamon sugar and crunchy pecans to top it all off. I thought I’d do a bit of a twist on that recipe and decided on this sourdough applesauce bread. This fall quick bread combines all the rich flavors of fall in different ways that really packs this bread with a fall punch. Adding sourdough discard to any sweet recipe really rounds out the flavors and even enhances the spices too. And since I am always looking for recipes that use up sourdough discard, so this recipe really checks that box.

This sourdough applesauce bread is great for dessert, as a quick snack or even breakfast. Pair it with a nice cup of coffee or milk and you’re set. I like to enjoy it fresh out of the oven or heated up in the microwave and maybe with a bit of salted butter too. If you’re looking for a fun fall sourdough discard recipe, then I think you’re going to love this one.

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Ingredients

All-purpose flour: I prefer to use unbleached all-purpose flour for baking, but you could use any type of all-purpose flour. Although I haven’t tried a gluten free flour in this recipe, you could try a flour substitute that work as a 1:1 swap.

Granulated sugar: For baking, I like to use cane sugar, but you could use plain white sugar or other forms of natural sugar.

Apple pie spice & cinnamon: I understand that not everyone has apple pie spice on hand, so you can skip it and add extra cinnamon or add equal parts cinnamon, nutmeg and all spice) to replace it. Adding extra cinnamon on top of the apple pie spice just makes this applesauce bread more cozy and delicious.

Baking powder, baking powder and salt: Because this recipe uses sourdough discard and doesn’t rely on the leavening powers of sourdough, we have to add in leaveners. I like to use a combination of baking powder and baking soda. I also add a bit of salt to help balance the sweetness of this bread.

Sourdough discard: This recipe is a great way to use up sourdough discard, but you could also use active bubbly starter. Either way works since the rise comes from the baking powder and baking soda.

Applesauce: I’m a sucker for all things cinnamon, so cinnamon applesauce is my preferred choice, but you could use regular unsweetened applesauce or, even better, apple butter.

Apple cider: The apple cider in this recipe makes the bread moist and adds extra apple flavor. You can also use your favorite apple juice.

Oil: I bake with a light tasting olive oil, but you could use other oils like avocado oil.

Eggs: Eggs are the binder of choice for this bread.

Vanilla: No baked good is ever complete without vanilla in my opinion.

Apple: I use whatever apple I have on hand, but sturdier apples will hold up better in baking.

How to Make Sourdough Applesauce Bread

TOOLS YOU MAY NEED

• Large mixing bowl
• Small mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk and mixing spoon
• Cheese grater
• Spatula
• 9′ x 5″ loaf pan
• Parchment paper

INGREDIENTS

Sourdough Applesauce Bread

• 2 cups all purpose flour (305 g)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar (180 g)
• 1 tbs apple pie spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice) (5 g)
• 1 tsp cinnamon (3 g)
• 2 tsp baking powder (9 g)
• 1/2 tsp baking soda (2 g)
• 1/2 tsp salt (4 g)
• 1/2 cup sourdough discard (140 g)
• 1/2 cup applesauce or apple butter (150 g)
• 1/2 cup apple cider or apple juice (120 g)
• 1/4 cup neutral tasting oil (50 g)
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 apple, grated

Crumble Topping

• 4 tbs cold butter cubed (55 g)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (60 g)
• ½ cup all purpose flour (75 g)
• 1-2 tsp cinnamon ( 5 g)

DIRECTIONS

In a large mixing bowl, mix together the dry ingredients: all purpose flour, sugar, apple pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Add the wet ingredients to the bowl: sourdough discard, applesauce, apple cider, oil, eggs and vanilla extract.

Mix the ingredients until they are just incorporated. Don’t over mix.

Grate an apple into the batter, then gently fold the pieces in with a spatula.

In a small mixing bowl, mix together cubed butter, granulated sugar, all purpose flour and cinnamon until it reaches a sandy texture.

Pour the batter into a prepared loaf pan.

Sprinkle the crumble topping on top of the sourdough applesauce batter.

Bake the bread at 350° F for 50 minutes, then cover with tin foil and bake another 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

NOTES

• Use cinnamon applesauce to add extra flavor or even apple butter.
• Add pecans or walnuts into the batter and/or crumble topping for extra texture and crunch.
• You can use either sourdough discard or active starter in this recipe.
• This bread has a long bake time, so it’s really important to cover the top with tin foil after the first 50 minutes to ensure the top doesn’t burn.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR MORE SOURDOUGH RECIPES?

Looking for more sourdough recipes like this sourdough applesauce bread? Check these out!

• Sourdough Cheddar Biscuits
• Chocolate Chip Sourdough Granola Bars
• Sourdough Discard Pumpkin Bread
• Sourdough Discard Powdered Sugar Donuts

Did you make this sourdough applesauce bread recipe? If you enjoyed it, I’d really appreciate if you came back and gave the recipe a five star rating! Tag me on Instagram (@thesimplehomeplace) to show me your own recreation of this recipe!