a big slice of autumn: apple & cheddar quick bread

apple bread

I always associate apples as a fall thing, but this year, I got a hold of some early apples from my sour cherry orchard hook-up. So, this late August & early September I was swimming in heritage apple varieties like Wealthy, Sunrise, and King apples, along with the more familiar Gala and Mac varities. I love apples so an early apple glut is a welcome surprise.

apples

I snacked on the crisp and juicy apples for as long as I could, but since I live in a shoebox of an apartment (no cold cellar), I couldn’t keep them crisp for long. So my delicious crunchy apples had transformed from an eating specimen to a cooking one – perfect for apple pancakes, ginger apple pandowdy, baked apple oatmeal, but I settled on trying out an apple cheddar quick bread instead. Good choice!

The bread was delicious and flavourful and worked really well as a side for a vegetable stew I had made for supper. But we ate it toasted for breakfast the next morning and might I say it was even better. Toasted cheese and apple bits? I’m so in.

apple bread

The only real trick with this recipe was the baking time. I figured that 35-40 minutes should have been enough, but it wasn’t. While it looked lovely and golden on the outside, inside it was still gooey. So I baked it for an extra 15-20 minutes and it turned out fine. The recipe below reflects how long I think it should bake for, however, if you are using a larger loaf pan you might want to reduce the baking time.

elsewhere: Want to see just about the prettiest thing? Click over to Poppytalk where I do a post with a recipe for sea salt caramels with toasted pecans. But that’s not all! I wrap up the caramels using parchment & washi tape so it makes a super cute gift. Adorbz.

apple bread

79 comments to “a big slice of autumn: apple & cheddar quick bread”

  1. 1
    Jessica @ Quirky Bookworm   October 24, 2011 at 2:58 pm

    Ooh, this sounds absolutely delish! Going to pin it right now so I don’t forget I want to make it. 🙂

  2. 2
    Amy   October 24, 2011 at 3:23 pm

    Wow, this looks very intriguing and good!

  3. 3
    Elizabeth   October 24, 2011 at 4:11 pm

    I’ve never thought to make a savory quick bread, and putting apples and cheddar together is genius. We just went apple picking and this will be a great use of our haul.

  4. 4
    sara   October 24, 2011 at 4:42 pm

    This looks so delicious! I love apples and cheddar together. 🙂

  5. 5
    Laura (Blogging Over Thyme)   October 24, 2011 at 6:05 pm

    I keep forgetting to make savory quick breads! This looks delicious. I love apple/cheddar together but always forget about the combination when baking. This would be delicious in muffin form too, I’m sure! 🙂

  6. 6
    Mags   October 24, 2011 at 8:00 pm

    I am a total sucker for cheese and this looks like one amazing apple cheesy delight

  7. 7
    Joanne   October 25, 2011 at 3:24 am

    In my opinion, there’s really no such thing as having TOO many apples. I’ve heard of the apple/cheese combo in a pie but I’ve never actually had it myself. This quickbread sounds delicious!

  8. 8
    Cole's Kitch   October 25, 2011 at 5:15 am

    This looks and sounds amazing. I’m going to have to try!

    I did a caramelized onion and cheddar bread a few weeks ago that turned out great. Can you really go wrong with bread that has cheese in it? 🙂

    Thanks for the great recipe.

  9. 9
    Cole's Kitch   October 25, 2011 at 5:15 am

    This looks and sounds amazing. I’m going to have to try!

    I did a caramelized onion and cheddar bread a few weeks ago that turned out great. Can you really go wrong with bread that has cheese in it? 🙂

    Thanks for the great recipe.

  10. 10
    Cole's Kitch   October 25, 2011 at 5:15 am

    This looks and sounds amazing. I’m going to have to try!

    I did a caramelized onion and cheddar bread a few weeks ago that turned out great. Can you really go wrong with bread that has cheese in it? 🙂

    Thanks for the great recipe.

  11. 11
    Cole's Kitch   October 25, 2011 at 5:15 am

    This looks and sounds amazing. I’m going to have to try!

    I did a caramelized onion and cheddar bread a few weeks ago that turned out great. Can you really go wrong with bread that has cheese in it? 🙂

    Thanks for the great recipe.

  12. 12
    Cole's Kitch   October 25, 2011 at 5:15 am

    This looks and sounds amazing. I’m going to have to try!

    I did a caramelized onion and cheddar bread a few weeks ago that turned out great. Can you really go wrong with bread that has cheese in it? 🙂

    Thanks for the great recipe.

  13. 13
    Cole's Kitch   October 25, 2011 at 5:15 am

    This looks and sounds amazing. I’m going to have to try!

    I did a caramelized onion and cheddar bread a few weeks ago that turned out great. Can you really go wrong with bread that has cheese in it? 🙂

    Thanks for the great recipe.

  14. 14
    Cole's Kitch   October 25, 2011 at 5:15 am

    This looks and sounds amazing. I’m going to have to try!

    I did a caramelized onion and cheddar bread a few weeks ago that turned out great. Can you really go wrong with bread that has cheese in it? 🙂

    Thanks for the great recipe.

  15. 15
    Cole's Kitch   October 25, 2011 at 5:15 am

    This looks and sounds amazing. I’m going to have to try!

    I did a caramelized onion and cheddar bread a few weeks ago that turned out great. Can you really go wrong with bread that has cheese in it? 🙂

    Thanks for the great recipe.

  16. 16
    Cole's Kitch   October 25, 2011 at 5:15 am

    This looks and sounds amazing. I’m going to have to try!

    I did a caramelized onion and cheddar bread a few weeks ago that turned out great. Can you really go wrong with bread that has cheese in it? 🙂

    Thanks for the great recipe.

  17. 17
    Cole's Kitch   October 25, 2011 at 5:15 am

    This looks and sounds amazing. I’m going to have to try!

    I did a caramelized onion and cheddar bread a few weeks ago that turned out great. Can you really go wrong with bread that has cheese in it? 🙂

    Thanks for the great recipe.

  18. 18
    Cole's Kitch   October 25, 2011 at 5:15 am

    This looks and sounds amazing. I’m going to have to try!

    I did a caramelized onion and cheddar bread a few weeks ago that turned out great. Can you really go wrong with bread that has cheese in it? 🙂

    Thanks for the great recipe.

  19. 19
    Cole's Kitch   October 25, 2011 at 5:15 am

    This looks and sounds amazing. I’m going to have to try!

    I did a caramelized onion and cheddar bread a few weeks ago that turned out great. Can you really go wrong with bread that has cheese in it? 🙂

    Thanks for the great recipe.

  20. 20
    Katie   October 25, 2011 at 6:29 am

    I absolutely MUST try this bread. No ifs, ands, or buts!

  21. 21
    Jacqui   October 25, 2011 at 7:48 am

    I have a box full of apples too! I’ve been getting through them slowly, but this weekend started making applesauce! I’m going to save a few and make this bread though!

  22. 22
    Tanvi @ The Hathi Cooks   October 25, 2011 at 8:37 am

    this looks great! One of my favorite snacks is apples and cheese, so I can imagine how tasty this would be. Thanks!

  23. 23
    Gemma   October 25, 2011 at 9:46 am

    This sounds amazing! I know what I will be bringing to a Halloween party this weekend.

    (And a happy belated Thanksgiving to you!)

  24. 24
    NicoleD   October 25, 2011 at 11:34 am

    Lucky! I’d love to try those unique apple varieties. The bread looks wonderful and I can only imagine how a little toasting really made it perfect.

  25. 25
    Yosef - This American Bite   October 25, 2011 at 12:55 pm

    I don’t like apples, and I don’t cook dairy in the house, and yet this looks divine. And I want it.

  26. 26
    melanie c   October 25, 2011 at 1:08 pm

    do you think you could replace the oil with apple sauce? i know you can do that with cakes, and it’ll make it more appley and healthy perhaps?

  27. 27
    Kathryn | Dramatic Pancake   October 25, 2011 at 4:53 pm

    Looks incredible, Jeannette! I love the combination of sweet and savory and the bread looks so moist and tender, I really just want to toast a piece and slather it with butter!

  28. 28
    Pam   October 26, 2011 at 10:29 am

    Absolutely delicious — especially for breakfast with some good peanut butter. Mine baked a little faster. It was more or less ready after 45 minutes — left it another 5 with the Cheddar sprinkled on top, and it was perfect.

  29. 29
    Sudha   October 26, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    Apple and cheddar – that sounds like a combination made in heaven:)The bread looks gorgeous – wish I could grab a bite from your plate;)Lovely recipe!
    Wit,wok&wisdom

  30. 30
    Adventure Nell   October 26, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    Made this the other day and it is wonderful. We found that you do need to toast it if you are eating the next day and it goes with so many different kinds of soups. Thanks for posting!

  31. 31
    kickpleat   October 26, 2011 at 12:29 pm

    Thanks for all your comments – it’s a tasty bread!

    Melanie C, I think you could add in apple sauce but I’m not sure about the proportions. You could most certainly try & report back 🙂

    Pam, so glad yours baked faster – Good to hear!

    Adventure Nell, Hooray! It’s delicious, isn’t it? We only tried toasting it the next day figuring it would be best & so glad I was right 🙂

  32. 32
    Sarah Jameson   October 26, 2011 at 1:09 pm

    Must. Make. NOW!

  33. 33
    Pam   October 26, 2011 at 2:05 pm

    The only problem is that it’s too good. Just had another slice – toasted, plain. I’ll be making this one often.

  34. 34
    Dana   October 26, 2011 at 3:57 pm

    I have to say, I’ve never understood the apple and cheddar pie thing, but in a bread? Sure! We picked some apples earlier this month and some are great for eating but others are not. I’m thinking I just need to throw the whole lot into some bread!

  35. 35
    Bijoux   October 26, 2011 at 4:24 pm

    I’ve been wanting to make savoury bread for a while but yeast still confuses me. This is a perfect way to make bread for those who have an aversion to yeast. And it looks delicious to boot!

  36. 36
    Rose-Anne   October 26, 2011 at 5:36 pm

    Oh my gosh, this is a brilliant idea! I love apples and cheddar as a snack, but putting them together in a bread is another level of awesome. This one’s going on my to-make list 🙂

  37. 37
    Marisa   October 28, 2011 at 11:51 am

    Currently trying this recipe as vegan. I will let everyone know the results!

  38. 38
    Eat Well at This American Bite   October 30, 2011 at 5:16 pm

    Thank you for sharing this. I have included this the Kosher Cooking Carnival I hosted this month. Love your site!

  39. 39
    kickpleat   October 30, 2011 at 5:40 pm

    Sarah, do it. NOW. 🙂

    Pam, hooray! So glad you love it!

    Dana, I’ve never tried apple pie with cheese either. Seems odd, sorta. But this, THIS, is amazing.

    Bijoux, don’t be afraid of this – no yeast! Hooray! Good luck.

    I hope you enjoy this, Rose-Anne!

    Marisa, I want to hear how it turns out. I’m sure using Daiya cheese would be a good sub.

    Thanks, Eat Well!

  40. 40
    Casey   October 30, 2011 at 8:33 pm

    I found this on Pinterest earlier this week and today I made it. How’s that for turnaround? Anywho-Loved it. Love your blog. I am trying out at least one new recipe a week and posting about it on my blog. This one will go up on Thursday, with a link to your site. There is plenty of yummy goodness for me to try out!

  41. 41
    kickpleat   October 31, 2011 at 1:29 pm

    Thanks so much Casey – glad you loved this and can’t wait to see your post!

  42. 42
    Bijoux   October 31, 2011 at 9:36 pm

    Made it yesterday night and two-thirds of it are already consumed. Yum!

  43. 43
    Carlee   November 1, 2011 at 8:05 am

    Wow! This bread looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it out over the weekend.

  44. 44
    Ashley   November 2, 2011 at 8:41 am

    Oh my this looks seriously outstanding. I must make it! This is my kind of quick bread.

  45. 45
    kickpleat   November 2, 2011 at 7:41 pm

    Glad to hear it, Bijoux!!

    Carlee, I hope you give it a go!

    Ashley, it’s super delicious, I hope you love it.

  46. 46
    Hawk   November 7, 2011 at 9:51 am

    I made this one! It was good – a little moist in the middle and crunchy on the outside (I assume because of the apples). I wish I had used more flavorful apples – but it was still a hit!

  47. 47
    Chrissie   November 7, 2011 at 4:57 pm

    Absolutely amazing recipe! In the past weekend, I’ve made several loaves of this- for home, and for gifts. I don’t know how anyone can experience it the “day after” because every single loaf I’ve baked has been consumed within a couple of hours of coming out of the oven 🙂

    Thanks!

  48. 48
    kickpleat   November 7, 2011 at 6:03 pm

    Hawk, so glad to hear! It is moist because of the apples. I certainly wouldn’t use any bland apples here (out you go Delcious & Golden Delicious!)

    Thanks Chrissie!! I love to hear that 🙂

  49. 49
    Maggie   November 27, 2011 at 1:44 pm

    Made this bread yesterday! It’s not exactly savory; the apples do give a fair amount of sweetness. But the resident fellow and I really liked it. Thanks for a good little long-weekend project!

  50. 50
    Maggie   November 27, 2011 at 1:48 pm

    Also! I’d recommend orange cheddar like you used if photos will be involved. I used a white cheese and bread looks a little fugly. Obvi, taste-wise it doesn’t matter!

  51. 51
    kickpleat   November 27, 2011 at 2:11 pm

    Haha, good to know, Maggie about the colour!

  52. 52
    Ide Cyan   November 28, 2011 at 4:51 pm

    I would like to try this recipe, but I’m a little confused about one of the quantities listed:

    3/4 c milk + 2 T

    Is that three quarters of a cup of milk *plus* two tablespoons of milk? Or does the 2 T refer to something else?

    Thanks.

  53. 53
    kickpleat   November 28, 2011 at 7:24 pm

    Yes Ide, it’s 3/4 cup of milk + 2 tablespoons of milk, so just shy of 1 full cup.

  54. 54
    Kausambi@Coloredgrains   December 7, 2011 at 1:50 am

    Yum yum yum yum yum yum yum!

    🙂

  55. 55
    Carlee D Hodge   December 23, 2011 at 1:48 pm

    Hey! So I’m thinking about trying this recipe tonight but my family is not a fan of apples ( except in pie and plain) and so I was wondering if I could do this recipe EXACTLY the same way and just omit the apples? Would it be okay, do ya think?

  56. 56
    kickpleat   December 23, 2011 at 2:48 pm

    Carlee, how could they not love apples – seriously, I think they *could* like this! You could grate the apples instead of dicing that way you’d be sneaking in a little surprise. Or you could do without….if so, let me know how it goes!

  57. 57
    Essie   January 21, 2012 at 3:44 pm

    This was a great recipe, thanks!

  58. 58
    JB   October 1, 2012 at 12:35 pm

    Oh my goodness! I just made this in muffin form it’s sooooooo good. I did sub a sharp white cheddar and I small diced it too, instead of shredding. If any one is trying to do muffins: bake at the 400* as stated for 18-20 min. oh , and I didn’t melt the cheese on top but they were still amazing!

  59. 59
    Laura   October 23, 2012 at 3:28 pm

    Okay, I just made this, and IT IS AWESOME. We are loving this bread! Thanks!!

  60. 60
    Steph   April 6, 2013 at 5:04 am

    I ADORE your blog!! Especially since it is Canadian — great Canadian cooks don’t get the recognition they deserve and it’s wonderful to see you using local ingredients and items familiar to Canadians.

  61. 61
    kickpleat   April 8, 2013 at 9:03 pm

    Thanks everyone! Steph, thanks for your kind words 🙂

  62. 62
    Jill   August 21, 2013 at 2:56 pm

    Has anyone made this ahead and froze it? how does it turn out once thawed?

    Thanks
    Jill

  63. 63
    kickpleat   August 21, 2013 at 3:06 pm

    Jill, I think it would be fine frozen. If you try it let me know how it goes.

  64. 64
    j   December 22, 2022 at 6:06 pm

    Why publish comments from people who haven’t tried recipe?
    Who cares what they think unless they’ve made it!

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