If there’s one loaf that brings the scents and tastes of fall comfort straight into your kitchen, it’s this Cozy Spiced Apple Zucchini Bread. Packed with juicy apples, freshly grated zucchini, and a comforting blend of cinnamon and nutmeg, each bite is bursting with warmth and nostalgia. Whether enjoyed as a breakfast treat or an afternoon pick-me-up, this recipe guarantees a flavor-packed, moist crumb that everyone will rave about. Let’s cozy up and discover why this might just become your new favorite bake!

Cozy Spiced Apple Zucchini Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You won’t believe how easy it is to whip up Cozy Spiced Apple Zucchini Bread with just a handful of accessible ingredients. Each plays a unique role, creating a loaf that’s tender, spiced, and bursting with little surprises of juicy apple and flecks of zucchini.

White sugar: Brings a clean, bright sweetness that’s essential for balance in every bite.
Brown sugar: Adds a hint of caramel flavor and extra moisture—don’t skip it if you love a tender loaf!
Eggs: These bind everything together and give your bread structure and richness.
Canola oil: Ensures a soft, moist crumb and blends well with the mild, spiced flavors.
Vanilla essence: Just a splash deepens the flavors and makes the kitchen smell amazing.
Plain flour: The backbone of your bread—simple, sturdy, and perfect for holding up all the mix-ins.
Baking soda: Helps your loaves rise and keeps them nice and fluffy.
Salt: A pinch wakes up all the flavors and rounds out the sweetness.
Ground cinnamon: Delivers a sweet, spicy warmth that’s absolutely essential for that cozy bakery aroma.
Ground nutmeg: Just enough to add depth and complement the cinnamon without overpowering it.
Grated zucchini: It melts right into the bread, delivering amazing moisture and pretty flecks of green.
Small diced apple: These little chunks add a natural sweetness and bursts of juicy flavor in every bite.

How to Make Cozy Spiced Apple Zucchini Bread

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Loaf Pans

Start your journey to the perfect loaf by preheating your oven to 350°F. While it heats to the ideal temperature, take a moment to grease two standard loaf pans with butter, oil, or nonstick spray. This simple step guarantees your Cozy Spiced Apple Zucchini Bread will slide out easily once baked, keeping those beautiful loaves intact for all to enjoy.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the white sugar, brown sugar, eggs, canola oil, and vanilla essence. Blend these until the mixture becomes light and slightly fluffy—incorporating plenty of air here is key for a soft, tender crumb. The combination of white and brown sugars gives both sweetness and a touch of caramel depth.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

Take out a separate bowl and sift in your flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sifting not only removes lumps but also ensures a harmonious blend, so every bite of your Cozy Spiced Apple Zucchini Bread is perfectly even in flavor with those cozy spices shining through.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually add your blended dry ingredients into your wet mixture, stirring gently just until you don’t see any streaks of flour. Overmixing can make quick breads dense, so treat your batter with care—you want your loaves to be light and tender!

Step 5: Add Zucchini and Apple

Now for the stars of the show: gently fold in your grated zucchini and diced apple. Distribute them evenly throughout the batter so each slice offers little pockets of sweetness from the apple and extra moisture from the zucchini. Take your time with this step and don’t rush; the veggies and fruit are what make this loaf really special.

Step 6: Fill Pans and Bake

Divide the batter evenly into your two prepared pans, smoothing the tops for an even rise. Slide them into the oven and bake for 35 minutes. Afterward, loosely cover each loaf with foil to prevent over-browning, then continue baking another 20 to 25 minutes. The bread is fully baked once a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

How to Serve Cozy Spiced Apple Zucchini Bread

Garnishes

Dress up your bread with a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of simple glaze (just mix powdered sugar and milk), or a scattering of chopped toasted walnuts or pecans on top. Fresh apple slices or a sprinkle of cinnamon also make your Cozy Spiced Apple Zucchini Bread look inviting and bakery-worthy.

Side Dishes

Pair warm slices with a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream, a pat of salted butter, or even a spoonful of apple butter for an extra apple punch. If serving for brunch, it’s amazing alongside creamy Greek yogurt, fresh berries, or a handful of roasted nuts for crunch.

Creative Ways to Present

Try cutting your bread into thick sticks for dipping in a warm caramel sauce, or toast slices and spread with cream cheese for a satisfying afternoon snack. Cozy Spiced Apple Zucchini Bread also makes a delightful gift: wrap a loaf in parchment and tie with twine for a rustic, heartfelt present.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Cozy Spiced Apple Zucchini Bread at its freshest, cool completely and then store wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or foil. It’ll stay delicious on the counter for up to three days, or in the refrigerator for about a week. Every slice at room temperature retains that unbeatable soft and moist crumb!

Freezing

If you want to keep extra for longer, wrap loaves (or even individual slices) in a double layer of plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to three months. The flavors develop even more over time, so every thawed slice will taste like a bakery treat!

Reheating

To enjoy a toasty, just-baked texture, simply warm slices in a toaster oven or microwave for 15 to 20 seconds. For larger amounts, pop a whole loaf (still wrapped in foil) in a 300°F oven for about 15 minutes until heated through—just right for breakfast or impromptu guests.

FAQs

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of plain flour?

Absolutely! Swapping half the plain flour for whole wheat adds a lovely nutty flavor and extra fiber. The loaf may be a tad denser but stays moist, especially thanks to the zucchini and apple.

Should I peel the apples before adding them?

It’s up to you! If you love a bit of texture in your Cozy Spiced Apple Zucchini Bread, leave the peels on. For a smoother bite, peeling them first works beautifully. Either way, those diced apples will taste amazing.

Can I make this recipe into muffins?

Definitely—just spoon the batter into greased or lined muffin tins, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake at the same temperature but start checking for doneness around 18-22 minutes.

What kind of zucchini is best to use?

Any fresh, firm zucchini works well. If your zucchinis are especially large, you might want to scoop out the seeds before grating. No need to peel unless the skin is particularly tough.

How can I make this bread less sweet?

For a lightly sweetened loaf, you can cut both the white and brown sugar by one-third. The apple will help keep it moist and flavorful, even with a reduced sugar level.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like baking and sharing a loaf of Cozy Spiced Apple Zucchini Bread—the aroma, the golden, spiced crumb, and the smiles it brings are simply irresistible. If you’re looking for a tried-and-true recipe that celebrates the best of comforting flavors, this is the one. Give it a try, and enjoy a slice of coziness any day of the week!

Cozy Spiced Apple Zucchini Bread Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 12 reviews

Author: Zoe
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Yield: 2 loaves 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This Cozy Spiced Apple Zucchini Bread is a delightful twist on traditional zucchini bread, combining the sweetness of apple with warm spices for a comforting treat.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Loaf Pans
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 standard loaf pans.
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, blend sugars, eggs, oil, and vanilla until light and airy.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Mix dry ingredients into wet until just combined.
Step 5: Add Zucchini and Apple
Fold in zucchini and apple gently.
Step 6: Fill Pans and Bake
Divide batter, bake for 35 mins, cover with foil, bake for 20-25 mins more until toothpick comes out clean.

Notes

Be careful not to overmix the batter for a lighter texture.
Ensure even distribution of zucchini and apple for balanced flavor.
Covering the loaves with foil prevents over-browning during baking.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 240
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: Spiced Apple Zucchini Bread, Zucchini Bread Recipe, Apple Bread, Homemade Bread