Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour (240 grams)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
- 1 cup grated granny smith or pink lady apple
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 9×5 loaf pan with oil spray. To make it even easier to remove the bread, cut a strip of parchment paper and place it in the loaf pan like a sling.
- Brown the Butter: Add the diced butter to a small skillet or pot. Heat the skillet to medium heat. The butter will start to melt as the skillet heats up.
- Allow the butter to bubble and “cook” until it begins to change from a bright yellow color to a golden brown color. Continually stir the butter as you see the foam start to dissipate and brown bits begin to form in the bottom of the pan. Cook and stir the butter until it is a golden brown color and has a nutty aroma. Set aside to cool.
- To a large mixing bowl add brown butter, unsweetened applesauce, dark brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.
- Next, add the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt to the bowl. Stir until well combined.
- Fold the grated apple and chopped walnuts into the batter.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared 9×5 loaf pan.
- Bake the bread at 350 degrees for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the bread from the pan and let cool on a wire rack.
- Make the Maple Cream Cheese Frosting: While the bread is cooling make the maple cream cheese frosting. Add the cream cheese and butter to a mixing bowl. Next, add the powdered sugar, maple syrup, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat the frosting on low speed for around 30 seconds to incorporate and then increase to high speed and continue to beat on high for around 1-2 minutes until fluffy.
- Once the bread is completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting on top of the bread. Slice the bread and serve!
Notes
Gluten Free: to make this bread gluten free swap out the all purpose flour for a one-to-one gluten free flour.
