Description
This Gluten Free Apple Bread is a moist, tender quick bread bursting with fresh apple flavor and warm spices. Featuring a crunchy, buttery crumble topping, this loaf offers a perfect balance of sweetness and texture, ideal for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Made with a gluten free flour blend and apple butter, it’s a delicious, cozy treat everyone can enjoy.
Ingredients
For the Crumble Topping (optional)
- ½ cup (70 g) all purpose gluten free flour blend (Better Batter recommended)
- ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if blend already contains it)
- 3 tablespoons (40 g) packed light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 ½ tablespoons (35 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
For the Quick Bread Batter
- 2 cups (280 g) all purpose gluten free flour blend (Better Batter recommended)
- 1 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if blend already contains it)
- ¼ cup (36 g) cornstarch (or more Cup4Cup if that is your blend)
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons apple pie spice (see recipe notes)
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons (84 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 large eggs (100 g weighed out of shell), at room temperature, beaten
- ⅔ cup (5 ⅓ fl oz) buttermilk, at room temperature
- 5 ounces apple butter, homemade or store bought, at room temperature
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a standard 9-inch by 5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Make the Crumble Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the gluten free flour blend, xanthan gum, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt. Mix thoroughly, breaking up any clumps of brown sugar. Add the melted and cooled unsalted butter and mix until fully incorporated into a thick crumble mixture. Place this bowl in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes until the topping firms up slightly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients for Bread: In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten free flour blend, xanthan gum, cornstarch, kosher salt, baking powder, baking soda, apple pie spice, and granulated sugar ensuring even distribution of all dry components.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add in the softened butter, beaten eggs, room temperature buttermilk, and apple butter. Mix everything together thoroughly until a thick, uniform batter forms.
- Transfer Batter to Pan: Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan, pressing it firmly into all corners. With wet fingers or a wet spatula, smooth the surface to create an even layer. Using a small sharp knife, score a shallow ¼-inch deep line lengthwise down the center of the batter.
- Apply Crumble Topping: Remove the chilled crumble topping from the refrigerator. Break it into small pieces using a fork and sprinkle evenly over the top of the batter. Gently press the topping pieces onto the batter to help them stick.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the center of the preheated oven. Bake for about 50 minutes or until the top is domed and golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. To ensure even cooking, rotate the pan halfway through baking.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the loaf from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, turn out the bread onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely before slicing. Serve once cooled.
Notes
- Apple Pie Spice: If unavailable, combine 1 tsp ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp ground nutmeg, ¼ tsp ground ginger, and a pinch of ground cloves or allspice.
- Buttermilk Substitute: Use regular milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar added; let sit for 5 minutes before use.
- Ensure all wet ingredients are at room temperature to help the batter combine evenly and bake well.
- The crumble topping is optional but adds a delightful texture and flavor contrast.
- Use a gluten free all purpose flour blend that contains or omits xanthan gum accordingly as noted.
- For best results, measure ingredients by weight where possible for accuracy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Quick Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
