Quick Breads are, in a word, humble. There is nothing fancy or glamorous about them. They're really the unsung hero of the pastry case. I honestly don't feel that quick breads get the attention they deserve. Think about it, when you go to a bakery or coffee shop how often do you order a decorative cupcake, those colorful macarons or fancy French pâtisserie? Hardly ever, right? But a slice of Banana Bread or a Blueberry Muffin, 9 times out of 10. Quick breads are always a good idea and this Brown Butter Apple Oat Walnut Bread with Whipped Honey Butter is brilliant.
One of the biggest bummers of 2020 is not being able to congregate in our local versions of Central Perk with friends. I used to have weekly meetups with other food blogger buds to break away from the hamster wheel of working from home. We'd sit snuggled in close at a bustling bakery, sharing beautiful baked goods and savoring every sip of coffee and conversation. It was my version of an office and the closest thing I had to coworkers. I desperately needed that change of atmosphere to keep me out of my work from home alone daily rut. And now we're here. Man, I really took that freedom, and coffee, for granted.
Instead of being tied up at my desk day in and day out, I've been switching up WFH locations within my house. The front porch can be fun but it comes with lots of distractions, mostly cute dogs walking by. Bed is another option but you risk getting too comfortable and falling asleep sitting up, Grandpa at Thanksgiving style. I've found the kitchen table to be my location of choice for the mornings. Sitting there with my hot cup of joe and a soundtrack of easy listening with the early morning sun and fog, almost fools me into thinking I'm at an actual coffeeshop. To really bring it home, I'll have a slice of Brown Butter Apple Walnut Bread on the side.
I know it seems counterintuitive to bake your own bread in order to feel like you're somewhere else. But, there is a sort of sweet escape that comes with baking. Plus, this Brown Butter Apple Oat Walnut Bread with Whipped Honey Butter is incredibly easy to make. With this recipe, you get a lot but you only have to put in a little.
This Brown Butter Apple Oat Walnut Bread with Whipped Honey Butter has a highlight reel of ingredients that set it apart from other quick breads
- Brown Butter - gives the bread depth of flavor and richness. It's a small extra step, with a big payoff.
- Shredded Apple - shredding the apple insures maximum moisture levels throughout and adds natural sweetness.
- Extra Thick Rolled Oats - add texture and chewiness and cozy, homey feel.
- Spices - a blend of cinnamon and cardamom spices up the apples and the bread.
- Buttermilk - adds a slightly tangy richness.
- Toasted Walnuts - bring cozy nutty flavor and crunch to the loaf and add a textural top crust.
- Sparkling Sugar - adds pizazz and a sweet crunch to the crust.
- Whipped Honey Butter - this is what really ties the room together. This Brown Butter Apple Walnut Bread is great by itself but the Whipped Honey Butter gives it that extra special sauce and takes it to a whole other level.
- Sea Salt Flakes - I'd say they are optional but they really aren't. If the Whipped Honey Butter brings it all together, the sea salt flakes are like the cherry on top. Salt to taste and thank me later.
Brown Butter gives the Brown Butter Apple Oat Walnut Bread depth in flavor. 
Toasty walnuts and extra thick rolled oats add tons of texture to the interior and the top of the Brown Butter Apple Oat Walnut Bread. 
Shredded apple infuses the entire loaf with moisture and natural sweetness.
That's a lot of goodness going on, right? It might seem overwhelming, but this whole deal comes together quick. You don't need any fancy tools, just some kitchen basics and a loaf pan. This quick recipe is hearty, healthy enough and the loaf should last you through the work from home week. I'm telling you, this Brown Butter Apple Oat Walnut Bread with Whipped Honey Butter will make you swear you bought if from a bakery.
It's all about texture, baby
From the crunch of the walnuts, the chew of the oats, to the dense moist bite of the apple infused crumb. This loaf is loaded with varying textures that keep it interesting and give it big personality points. Right down to the creamy swirls of Whipped Honey Butter and crunchy sea salt flakes. This baby is loaded. Texture is what makes this Brown Butter Apple Oat Walnut Bread with Whipped Honey Butter such a superstar quick bread.
Some reasons to love quick breads
- Quick Breads are quick to make. Since they are chemically leavened with baking soda and/or baking powder, you aren't waiting for yeast to rise.
- They are highly adaptable. Add or omit nuts or oats, swap apples for pears, mix up the spices. You get the idea.
- Quick Breads are comforting and homey and will transport your mind back to pre-Covid coffeeshop luxuries.
- Quick Breads aren't overly sweet so they play at any time of day.
Did I convince you yet? Just look at that Whipped Honey Butter if you need an additional nudge. Shall I pencil you in for a home based, virtual coffee date; you, me and a very real slice of Brown Butter Apple Walnut Bread with Whipped Honey Butter next week? *adds to calendar.
A punch of cinnamon and cardamom spice up the all purpose flour and hearty oat base. A blend of baking soda and baking flour give it an extra boost to rise up in the oven. 
Shredded apples, rich brown butter, brown sugar, white sugar and buttermilk give this loaf its signature moisture. 
Toasty walnuts also get folded in the mix to add even more texture.
Once mixed, the Brown Butter Apple Oat Walnut Bread batter goes right into a buttered and sugared loaf pan, then topped with more textural nuts, oats and sparkling sugar. 
Once topped, toss that little loaf in the oven and wait for the magic to happen.
While the quick bread bakes, whip up the easy as can be Whipped Honey Butter. 
I use my whisk attachment on my stand mixer to whip that honey and butter together. But you can use a hand mixer or mix by hand. 
Just whip that honey and butter good, until it's smooth and creamy like this.
Slicing into this Brown Butter Apple Oat Walnut Bread and you can see how much character it has, inside and out. 
Each slice is studded with crunchy walnuts and chewy oats. The shredded apple melts right in, providing sweetness and moisture.
A thick slab of Brown Butter Apple Oat Walnut Bread slathered in Whipped Honey Butter with a light sprinkle of sea salt flakes is what fall is all about. 
That Whipped Honey Butter really ties the room together.
📖 Recipe
Brown Butter Apple Oat Walnut Bread with Whipped Honey Butter
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 slices
Description
This Brown Butter Apple Oat Walnut Bread with Whipped Honey Butter is loaded with rich and spicy flavors and studded with hearty texture. Then it's slathered with a creamy swirl of honey kissed butter and crunchy sea salt flakes for the ultimate finish.
Ingredients
BROWN BUTTER OAT APPLE WALNUT BREAD
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups whole walnuts (- divided)
- ¾ cup extra thick rolled oats (- divided)
- 1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 ½ cups grated apple (- about 2-3 medium sized apples)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup buttermilk (- at room temperature)
- 2 large eggs (- at room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons sparkling or raw sugar (- optional)
WHIPPED HONEY BUTTER
- ½ cup butter at room temp (- salted or unsalted, whatever you've got)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- sea salt flakes- salt to taste (- optional, but not really)
Instructions
BROWN BUTTER OAT APPLE WALNUT BREAD
- Begin by browning the butter. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Swirl the pan occasionally to be sure the butter is cooking evenly. As soon as the butter melts, remove about 1 tablespoon and set aside to grease the loaf pan.
As the butter melts, it will start to turn from yellow to a deeper golden color and toasty bits will start forming around the edges. When the butter starts to foam up and give off a nutty aroma, the brown bits will start to really show up. Take it off the heat immediately to avoid burning. Pour the butter and scrape the browned bits into a heatproof bowl or liquid measuring cup to cool down while you prepare the other ingredients. - Preheat oven to 350° F. Then use the reserved melted butter to grease and flour, or sugar, a 9"x5" loaf pan. I like to use sugar instead of flour because it adds a nice subtle crunch and sweetness to the exterior of the bread loaf.
- Give the walnuts a rough chop, then spread 1 cup walnuts and ½ cup oats evenly on baking sheet, reserve the remaining walnuts and oats for topping. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and toast the walnuts and oats for 8-10 minutes, until they begin to smell toasty and nutty. Set aside to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the toasted oats, flour, cinnamon, cardamom, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
- In another bowl whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cooled browned butter, grated apples and buttermilk until well mixed.
- Whisk in the eggs, one at a time. Followed by the vanilla.
- In 3 additions, mix the wet ingredients in with the dry. Stirring to combine between additions. Only stir until just combined, then stir in the toasted walnuts.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Top with remaining walnuts and oats, then sprinkle with sparkling or raw sugar. - Bake at 350°F for 60-70 minutes. The loaf should turn a deep golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean when ready.
Allow to cool in the pan for at least 15-20 minutes, then carefully invert the loaf and remove it from the pan. Transfer it to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
WHIPPED HONEY BUTTER
- While the bread cools, whip up that easy Whipped Honey Butter. I like using my stand mixer with the whisk attachment but you can use a hand mixer or even mix it by hand. Just whip that butter and honey together until it's light and fluffy and undeniably creamy.
- Slice and serve the Apple Oat Walnut Bread with the Whipped Honey Butter and sprinkle with sea salt flakes to taste.
Notes
For maximum shelf life and freshness, store in the refrigerator, tightly wrapped for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
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