Irresistible Almond Apple Bread with Rum Raisin Cream Cheese Recipe

Almond apple bread whispers tales of crisp autumn afternoons and sweet family traditions.

Nostalgic flavors dance through this remarkable recipe, blending rustic charm with sophisticated ingredients.

Warm spices and tender fruit create a harmonious symphony that upgrades ordinary baking into an extraordinary experience.

Soft crumbs studded with nutty fragments promise incredible depth and complexity in every single slice.

Unexpected rum-soaked raisins melt into luxurious cream cheese, elevating this bread beyond simple morning fare.

Seasonal ingredients intermingle with classic techniques, producing a deeply satisfying treat that feels both familiar and innovative.

You’ll want to savor each delectable moment with someone special.

Why This Apple Bread Is Anything But Ordinary

• Savor Seasonal Comfort: Warm, aromatic almond apple bread captures the cozy essence of autumn with its rich blend of spices and tender fruit, perfect for chilly evenings.
• Indulge in Luxurious Layers: Creamy rum raisin cream cheese frosting adds a decadent touch, transforming a simple quick bread into an elegant dessert that surprises and delights with complex flavor profiles.
• Master Baking Ease: This foolproof recipe offers beginner-friendly techniques like alternating wet and dry ingredients, ensuring a moist, tender loaf that looks and tastes professionally prepared without requiring advanced baking skills.
• Customize Your dish: Versatile recipe allows for simple modifications like swapping nuts or adjusting spice levels, making it an adaptable treat for various taste preferences and dietary needs.

The Ingredients That Bring Apple and Rum to Life

• All-Purpose Flour: Essential base for the breads structure and texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Crucial leavening agents for bread rise and lightness.
• Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg: Warm spices that provide depth and aromatic flavor.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste and balances sweet elements.

• Butter: Rich, creamy foundation that provides moisture and flavor.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweeteners that contribute to caramelization and moisture.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps structure and adds richness.
• Milk, Sour Cream: Liquid ingredients that ensure tender, soft bread texture.

• Apples: Fresh fruit that adds natural sweetness and moisture to the bread.
• Almonds: Crunchy nuts that provide texture and nutty flavor.
• Raisins: Chewy dried fruit for added sweetness in the cream cheese frosting.

• Cream Cheese: Smooth, tangy base for the creamy frosting.
• Brown Sugar, Molasses: Deep, rich sweeteners for the frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Aromatic flavor enhancer for the cream cheese mixture.
• Rum: Optional spirit that adds complex, warm undertones to the frosting.

How to Bake a Loaf That’s Dense, Moist & Heavenly

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Pan

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8 x 5 inch loaf pan and dust with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Nutmeg
• Salt

Set the dry ingredient mixture aside.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

Use an electric mixer to beat butter with both granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

• Diced apples
• Chopped almonds

Note: Batter will be thick and dense.

Step 5: Bake the Bread

• Toothpick comes out clean
• Top is golden brown

Step 6: Cool and Rest

Allow bread to cool completely in the pan. This prevents crumbling and ensures clean slices.

Step 7: Prepare Rum Raisin Cream Cheese Frosting

• Brown sugar
• Molasses
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon
• Cloves

Gently fold in raisins until evenly distributed.

Tips for That Cream Cheese Swirl to Shine Through

• Prevent Apple Sinking: Toss diced apples in a light flour coating before adding to batter to ensure even distribution throughout the bread.
• Master Mixing Technique: Alternate dry ingredients with milk and sour cream in three parts to create a smooth, well-incorporated batter without overmixing.
• Check Bread Doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center of the bread; if it comes out clean with no wet batter, the bread is perfectly baked.
• Cooling is Crucial: Let the bread cool completely before slicing to maintain structural integrity and prevent crumbling.
• Rum Raisin Cream Cheese Pro Tip: Fold raisins gently into the frosting to avoid breaking them and to distribute flavor evenly.

Keep That Rum-Kissed Loaf Fresh All Week

• Refrigeration: Wrap the almond apple bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent moisture loss. The rum raisin cream cheese frosting should also be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
• Freezing: Slice the bread before freezing for easier portioning. Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best texture and flavor restoration.
• Reheating: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or toast briefly in a toaster oven. For best results, bring to room temperature before serving.

What Complements This Dessert-Like Bread

• Pair with Warm Spiced Cider: A steaming mug of homemade apple cider with cinnamon sticks and nutmeg perfectly complements the bread's warm spices and fruity notes.
• Match with Caramel Latte: The rich, creamy coffee drink balances the bread's nutty almond texture and enhances the rum raisin cream cheese's deep flavor profile.
• Serve alongside Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Cold, smooth vanilla ice cream creates a delightful contrast with the warm, spiced bread, making each bite a luxurious experience.
• Complement with Aged Rum Cocktail: A smooth, sophisticated rum cocktail mirrors the bread's rum-infused cream cheese and elevates the overall dessert enjoyment.

Delicious Variations for Anytime Baking

• Nutty Harvest Bread: Replace almonds with pecans and swap apples for pears, creating a rich autumn-inspired quick bread with warm spices that celebrate seasonal flavors.
• Tropical Sunshine Loaf: Incorporate shredded coconut into the batter, use dried pineapple instead of raisins in the cream cheese frosting, and add a splash of rum extract for bright, island-inspired notes.
• Spiced Maple Comfort Bread: Substitute white sugar with maple syrup, sprinkle extra cinnamon throughout the batter, and garnish the cream cheese frosting with toasted maple-glazed walnuts for a cozy, comforting treat.
• Rustic Berry Almond Bread: Fold fresh blueberries or chopped cranberries into the batter, reduce almonds to a garnish, and create a lighter cream cheese glaze with orange zest for a tangy, fruity variation.

Almond Apple Bread With Rum Raisin Cream Cheese Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Rustic Almond Apple Bread merges sweet autumn flavors with rich rum-soaked raisins and creamy cheese. Warm spices and tender apples create a comforting slice perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea moments with friends.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups diced small apples
• 2 well-beaten eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• ⅓ cup sliced almonds
• ¼ cup room temperature butter

Sweeteners and Sugars:

• ½ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar

Spices and Extras:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup sour cream
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt

Rum Raisin Cream Cheese Spread Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) softened cream cheese
• ¾ cup chopped raisins
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon rum extract
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 pinch of cloves

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and thoroughly grease an 8 x 5 inch (20 x 13 centimeters) loaf pan with butter, then dust with flour to prevent sticking.
2. Sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient mixture.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream unsalted butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light, pale, and fluffy in texture, approximately 3-4 minutes.
4. Add eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next, which helps create a smooth batter.
5. Alternately fold in the dry ingredient mixture and milk in three separate additions, mixing gently after each addition to maintain batter consistency.
6. Fold in sour cream until just combined, then carefully coat diced apples in a thin layer of flour to prevent them from sinking during baking.
7. Gently fold the flour-coated apples and chopped almonds into the thick batter, distributing them evenly throughout.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula and sprinkling additional chopped almonds over the surface.
9. Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top achieves a golden-brown color.
10. Remove from oven and let the bread cool completely in the pan for approximately 30 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
11. For the rum raisin cream cheese frosting, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer at low speed until light and airy.
12. Gradually incorporate brown sugar, molasses, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves into the cream cheese mixture.
13. Gently fold raisins soaked in rum into the cream cheese mixture, ensuring even distribution.
14. Once the bread is completely cooled, spread the rum raisin cream cheese frosting evenly over the top before serving.

Notes

• Ensure oven and pan prep happen first to set the stage for baking success, creating a smooth workflow from start to finish.
• Sifting dry ingredients prevents lumps and distributes spices evenly, guaranteeing a consistent flavor throughout the bread.
• Beating butter and sugars until fluffy creates a light, tender texture that makes each slice melt in your mouth.
• Coating apple chunks and almonds in flour helps prevent sinking, keeping ingredients perfectly suspended in the dense, moist batter.
• Baking time and color are crucial indicators of doneness, with golden brown tops signaling a perfectly baked loaf.
• Cooling completely allows structural integrity, ensuring clean slices and preventing crumbly, messy servings when cutting into the bread.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 420 kcal
• Sugar: 31g
• Sodium: 320mg
• Fat: 19g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0.5g
• Carbohydrates: 59g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 70mg