There’s a special kind of comfort in pairing a thick slice of warm, spiced Amish Apple Bread with a generous smear of homemade Apple Butter. This recipe brings together two simple, beloved classics into one heartwarming experience that’s perfect for a cozy breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a thoughtful homemade gift. It’s the ultimate taste of autumn, where the moist, tender crumb of the bread meets the deep, caramelized sweetness of the spread.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
This combination takes me straight back to my grandmother’s kitchen on a crisp October afternoon. She’d have a loaf of apple bread cooling on the counter and a pot of apple butter simmering for hours on the stove, filling the whole house with the scent of cinnamon and cooking fruit. The ritual of slathering a still-warm slice with that thick, glossy butter was a small, cherished moment of pure homemade happiness that this recipe aims to recreate.
Ingredients
Here is what you’ll need for the complete experience:
For the Amish Apple Bread:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
- 2 cups peeled and finely grated apples (about 2 medium apples, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the Apple Butter (Makes about 2 cups):
- 2 lbs apples (a mix like Granny Smith and Fuji), peeled, cored, and chopped
- ½ cup apple cider or water
- ½ cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step-by-step instructions for making the recipe
Follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time:
Make the Apple Butter (can be done ahead):
- Cook the Apples: In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped apples and apple cider. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes until the apples are very soft.
- Puree and Spice: Use an immersion blender to puree the apples until smooth. Stir in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and salt.
- Thicken: Cook the mixture over very low heat, uncovered, stirring frequently to prevent scorching, for 1 to 1.5 hours until it is very thick, dark in color, and reduced by about half. Stir in the vanilla extract in the last 5 minutes. Let cool completely; it will thicken further as it cools.
Make the Amish Apple Bread:
4. Prep and Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8×4-inch loaf pans.
5. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
6. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, oil, grated apples, and vanilla extract until well combined.
7. Form the Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir with a spatula until just combined and no dry flour remains. Fold in the chopped nuts, if using. Do not overmix.
8. Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Cool: Let the loaves cool in the pans for 15 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving with the apple butter.
Amish Bread with Apple Butter
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Make apple butter: Simmer apples in cider until soft. Puree, then add sugars and spices. Cook over very low heat, stirring often, for 1-1.5 hours until very thick and dark. Stir in vanilla at the end. Let cool.2 lbs apples (a mix like Granny Smith and Fuji), ½ cup apple cider or water, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, ¼ teaspoon ground allspice, 1 pinch salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8×4-inch loaf pans.
- For the bread: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- In another bowl, whisk eggs, oil, grated apples, and vanilla. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until just combined. Fold in nuts if using.3 large eggs, 1 cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil, 2 cups peeled and finely grated apples, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- Divide batter between pans. Bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in pans for 15 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve with the homemade apple butter.
Notes
Faq
Can I make the apple butter in a slow cooker?
Yes, it’s a great hands-off method. Place all apple butter ingredients (except vanilla) in a slow cooker. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 8-10 hours, with the lid slightly ajar for the last few hours to allow evaporation. Puree with an immersion blender, then cook uncovered on high for another 1-2 hours until thickened. Stir in vanilla at the end.
How should I store the bread and apple butter?
The apple butter can be stored in a clean jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks, or processed in a water bath for shelf-stable storage. The bread should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.
Do I have to make both from scratch? Can I use store-bought?
Of course! This recipe celebrates the homemade combination, but you can absolutely use a high-quality store-bought apple butter. The joy is in the pairing. If you’re short on time, focus on making the bread, which is quick and easy, and pair it with your favorite jarred spread.