Description
This Cinnamon Apple Bread is a moist, tender loaf packed with fresh chopped apples and warm cinnamon spice. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat, it features a cinnamon-sugar swirl baked in the middle and a sweet cinnamon glaze on top for extra flavor complexity. The combination of soft butter, vanilla, and cinnamon creates a comforting and delicious bread that’s easy to prepare and bake.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread Batter
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt (reduce to ¼ tsp if using salted butter)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup whole milk (or 2% milk)
- 1 ½ cups chopped apples (Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Jonagold)
Cinnamon Sugar Swirl
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Topping
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
Glaze
- ½ cup confectioner’s sugar
- 1-2 tbsp milk
- ¼ tsp cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8.5 x 4.5-inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the texture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender crumb. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract for aroma and flavor.
- Mix Batter: Gradually incorporate the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, alternating with milk, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the batter which can cause toughness.
- Prepare Cinnamon Apple Mixture and Layer Batter: In a separate bowl, combine the light brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Fold 1 cup of the chopped apples gently into the batter. Pour half the batter into the prepared loaf pan, sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture over it, then add the remaining batter. Top the loaf with the remaining cinnamon sugar and chopped apples for a swirled effect.
- Add Topping: Mix the topping ingredients—light brown sugar and ground cinnamon—and evenly sprinkle over the top of the loaf for added sweetness and spice.
- Bake: Bake the loaf for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted at the center comes out clean. This ensures the bread is fully cooked through. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together confectioner’s sugar, milk, and optional cinnamon until smooth. Adjust the milk quantity to reach a pourable consistency.
- Serve: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread, then slice and serve to enjoy the sweet, cinnamon-spiced flavors in every bite.
Notes
- Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture after baking.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute milk and butter with plant-based alternatives.
- Ensure eggs are at room temperature to incorporate properly.
- Adjust glaze thickness by adding milk incrementally for desired consistency.
