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Brown Butter Apple Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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3.9 from 76 reviews

This Brown Butter Apple Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting is a comforting and flavorful quick bread, combining nutty brown butter, warm spices, tart grated apples, and crunchy walnuts. Topped with a luscious maple-infused cream cheese frosting, it’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert during the fall and winter seasons.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20-25 minutes
  • Yield: 1 loaf (about 10 slices)

Ingredients

Bread Ingredients

  • 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

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with oil spray. For easy removal, cut a strip of parchment paper to fit inside the pan like a sling.
  2. Brown the Butter: Dice the unsalted butter and add to a small skillet over medium heat. Stir continuously as the butter melts and foams. Cook until the butter turns a golden brown color and develops a nutty aroma, with browned bits forming at the bottom, then remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown butter, unsweetened applesauce, dark brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir well until fully combined.
  4. Add Dry Ingredients: To the wet mixture, add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamom. Stir until the batter is just combined and smooth.
  5. Fold in Apples and Walnuts: Gently fold in the grated apple and chopped walnuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  6. Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool the Bread: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Make the Frosting: While the bread cools, prepare the maple cream cheese frosting. In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and unsalted butter. Add powdered sugar, maple syrup, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat on low speed for about 30 seconds to mix, then increase to high speed and beat for 1-2 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.
  9. Frost and Serve: Once the bread is completely cooled, spread the maple cream cheese frosting evenly on top. Slice and serve.

Notes

  • Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Pink Lady for the best balance of flavor and moisture.
  • If desired, walnuts can be toasted lightly beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend of equal weight.
  • Make sure the bread is fully cooled before frosting to prevent frosting from melting.
  • Store leftover bread wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60-65 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://allyumcooks.com/brown-butter-apple-bread-with-maple-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/