Apple Praline Bread Recipe

This Apple Praline Bread Recipe is a moist and spiced recipe, which features tart chopped apples and a rich buttery praline glaze. It’s the perfect fall treat, ready in about 1 hour and 15 minutes (including cooling time).

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Apple Praline Bread Recipe Ingredients

The Bread

• 1 cup sour cream (full fat is best)
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1½ cups apples, peeled and finely chopped (Gala, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith)
• 1 cup chopped pecans (divided use)

The Praline Topping

• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup butter

How To Make Apple Praline Bread Recipe

1. Prep the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan well and dust it with flour (or line with parchment paper). Don’t skip the flour part; it helps the heavy loaf release cleanly.
2. Mix the batter: Grab a large mixing bowl. Beat together the sour cream, 1 cup of brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix just until smooth, about 2 minutes.
3. Add dry ingredients: Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the wet mixture. Mix gently until just combined and no flour streaks remain.
4. Fold in fruit and nuts: Gently fold in the finely chopped apples and half (1/2 cup) of the chopped pecans.
5. Fill and top: Spoon the thick batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of pecans evenly over the batter. Press them in gently with the back of a spoon so they adhere to the loaf and don’t fall off after baking.
6. Bake: Bake for about 55 minutes. Check with a toothpick; if it comes out clean or with moist crumbs (not wet batter), it’s done. Tip: If the top browns too fast before the center is cooked, tent it loosely with aluminum foil for the last 15 minutes.
7. Cool it down: Let the bread rest in the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully pop it out onto a wire rack. Let it cool most of the way before adding the sauce.
8. Make the praline glaze: In a small saucepan, melt the 1/2 cup butter with the 1/2 cup brown sugar over medium heat. Stir constantly. Let it come to a bubble for about 1 minute until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is caramel-like. Remove from heat.
9. Finish: Drizzle the warm praline sauce over the bread (which already has the nuts on it). Let it set a little before slicing.

Recipe Tips

• Chopping Apples: Chop the apples finely (about 1/4 inch cubes). If the chunks are too big, they will sink to the bottom and make the bread soggy, rather than distributing evenly throughout the slice.
• Sour Cream: The acidity and fat in the sour cream are what make this bread tender and moist. If you don’t have sour cream, full-fat Greek yogurt is an excellent substitute.
• The Praline Effect: Praline is technically nuts cooked in sugar. By baking the nuts into the top of the bread and then pouring the butter/sugar sauce over them, you create a candied nut crust that hardens slightly as it cools.
• Overmixing: As with any quick bread, do not overmix the batter once the flour is added. Overmixing develops gluten and will result in a tough, chewy loaf rather than a soft one.
• Checking Doneness: Apple bread is dense. Ensure the toothpick goes all the way to the very bottom center of the pan to check for wet batter.

What To Serve With Apple Praline Bread Recipe

This bread bridges the gap between breakfast and dessert.

• Coffee: A hot cup of coffee balances the sweetness of the praline.
• Vanilla Ice Cream: Warm a slice and top with ice cream for a decadent dessert.
• Salted Butter: A smear of butter on a warm slice is perfection.
• Sharp Cheddar: For a savory twist, serve with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese (apple pie style).

How To Store Apple Praline Bread Recipe

• Refrigerate: Because of the moist fruit content, this bread keeps best in the refrigerator. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Reheat: Microwave a slice for 15-20 seconds to melt the praline topping and soften the crumb.
• Freeze: You can freeze the loaf (sliced or whole). Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Note that the praline topping may become sticky upon thawing.

Apple Praline Bread Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 340
• Total Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Cholesterol: 65mg
• Sodium: 280mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 42g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 28g
• Protein: 4g

Nutrition information is estimated per slice (based on 10 slices).

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