Hard Cider Bread isn’t your everyday loaf; it’s a unique creation that bakes the crisp, refreshing taste of hard cider right into the dough. It results in a bread that boasts a crisp apple flavor, and a beautiful color.
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This is a yeast free recipe, so it’s great for bakers of any skill level. Plus, there is no kneading so you can whip it up quickly.
The next time you are in the mood for a sweet bread give this Japanese Condensed Milk Bread a try.
Ingredients
- all purpose flour
- brown sugar
- baking powder
- salt
- ground cinnamon
- hard apple cider
- dried fruit
Note: I used dried cranberries and chopped pecans in this recipe. However, feel free to get creative with the fruit that you use in this bread. You could also add diced fresh apples instead to make this hard apple cider bread recipe.
Variations / Options / Add-Ins
- Hard Cider Bread with Cheddar Cheese: Incorporate 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese into the dough for a savory twist. The cheese pairs perfectly with the apple flavor of the hard cider.
- Raisin Hard Cider Bread: Add 1/2 cup of dried raisin into the dough. The tartness of the cranberries complements the sweetness of the hard cider, making for a delightful contrast of flavors.
- Cinnamon Sugar: If you want a little extra sweetness on the top of your bread sprinkle the top of the batter with a cinnamon sugar mixture before you bake it.
- Kid-friendly: To make a kid-friendly version of this bread just use apple juice or regular apple cider in place of the hard cider. Then you will have delicious apple bread the whole family can enjoy.
If you love making quick bread recipes like this one at home then you may also enjoy this Cranberry Walnut Banana Bread recipe.
How to Make Hard Cider Bread
This is a quick overview of the steps needed to make this recipe. You can find the full recipe in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
In a large bowl mix together the dry ingredients.
Add in the hard cider and stir until just combined. Fold in the dried fruits and nuts until evenly mixed.
Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake in the 375 degree preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes.
Allow the bread to cool in the bread pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- 9-inch loaf pan or a standard loaf pan
- Whisk or wooden spoon
- Wire rack
Serving Suggestions
- Serve the spread with a smear of maple butter, a bit of butter, or for more of a sweet loaf spoon a simple glaze made with milk and powdered sugar on top of the loaf.
Pro Tips
- Quality Ingredients: Use a good quality hard cider for this recipe. The flavor of the cider will significantly impact the taste of your bread..
- Monitor Your Bake: Every oven is different. Start checking your bread a few minutes before the suggested baking time to prevent over-baking.
- Use parchment paper: By lining your baking dish with parchment paper you can guarantee easy removal of the entire loaf.
- Check the bread for doneness: Use a toothpick to check the center of a loaf. If it comes out clean the bread is finished baking.
- Cool Completely: Allow your bread to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. Cutting into it too soon can result in a gummy texture.
Storage
Storage: Store leftover bread in an airtight container for up three days. You can also keep it fresh by wrapping it in plastic wrap and adding it to a storage bag.
Freezer: For best results, double wrap your bread. First, wrap tightly in cling film or aluminum foil. Then, place it in a zip-top freezer bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. Don’t forget to label your bread with the date of freezing. Bread can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
FAQs
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.
You can use any brand or flavor of hard cider that you prefer. However, remember that the taste of the cider can influence the overall flavor of your bread.
When stored properly, hard cider bread should last 2-3 days at room temperature, about a week in the fridge, and up to three months in the freezer.
More Bread Recipes You May Enjoy
If you like making sweet bread, give these recipes a try:
Want to make this delicious recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin it so that you can come back to it later.
Hard Cider Bread
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Loaf Pan
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 12 ounces hard apple cider
- ½ cup chopped dried fruit like cranberries
- ½ cup chopped nuts like pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a loaf pan by spritzing with nonstick cooking spray and lining with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Pour the bottle of hard cider into the bowl and stir until the ingredients are just combined.
- Fold in your choice of dried fruit and nuts, mixing until they are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center returns clean and the bread is golden brown.
- Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, using the parchment paper to lift, transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Quality Ingredients: Use a good quality hard cider for this recipe. The flavor of the cider will significantly impact the taste of your bread..
- Monitor Your Bake: Every oven is different. Start checking your bread a few minutes before the suggested baking time to prevent over-baking.
- Use parchment paper: By lining your baking dish with parchment paper you can guarantee easy removal of the entire loaf.
- Check the bread for doneness: Use a toothpick to check the center of a loaf. If it comes out clean the bread is finished baking.
- Cool Completely: Allow your bread to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. Cutting into it too soon can result in a gummy texture.
Disclaimer:
Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
Very good. I added diced apple and covered the top of the dough with cinnamon sugar. I also used a maple flavored hard cider. Perfectly sweet.
I’m so glad to hear that this turned out for you. Your changes sound delicious!
I needed to use up some hard cider and thought this would be a good recipe. The flavor was good, but the texture was a little heavy. There was no fat (shortening, oil or butter) in the recipe and fat adds to the tenderness of any baked product. If I make this again, I would add some oil and also an egg, as there weren’t any eggs in this product. I think EmaLee’s suggestion of adding some diced apple would also add to the tenderness. The batter was very thick, thicker than normal for a quickbread. My bread looked just like the picture.
I’m glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you. This is a more dense bread, than a typically quick bread. I’m glad you enjoyed the flavor.