Cinnamon-Spiced Apple and Walnut Quick Bread

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A moist quick bread loaded with tender apples and crunchy walnuts, infused with warm cinnamon and nutmeg — perfect for cozy holiday mornings. This American-inspired Christmas recipe, ready in about 80 minutes, pairs all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 10, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 60 min Serves 10 American cuisine 280 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp salt.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 3/4 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes using an electric mixer.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup sour cream until just combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients alternately with the 2 cups peeled and diced apples, mixing gently after each addition.
  5. Step 5: Fold in 3/4 cup chopped walnuts until evenly distributed.
  6. Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cinnamon-Spiced Apple and Walnut Quick Bread take to make?

Total time is about 80 minutes (20 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Cinnamon-Spiced Apple and Walnut Quick Bread?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cinnamon-Spiced Apple and Walnut Quick Bread?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Cinnamon-Spiced Apple and Walnut Quick Bread for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Cinnamon-Spiced Apple and Walnut Quick Bread?

American christmas like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes