As the crispness of fall fills the air and the scent of cinnamon and apples wafts through kitchens, there’s no better time to bake a loaf of moist and flavorful Cinnamon Apple Bread. This delightful quick bread combines tender chunks of apple, a luscious swirl of brown sugar and cinnamon, and a delicate glaze that ties it all together.
Whether you’re enjoying it as a breakfast treat, an afternoon snack, or dessert, this Cinnamon Apple Bread is sure to become a seasonal favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Apple Bread
This recipe captures everything we love about fall baking: warm spices, juicy apples, and a comforting aroma that fills your home. Here’s why this bread is a must-try:
- Easy to Make: No need for complicated techniques—this recipe is straightforward and beginner-friendly.
- Bursting with Flavor: The combination of cinnamon, brown sugar, and fresh apples delivers a rich and satisfying taste in every bite.
- Perfect Texture: Moist and tender on the inside with a slightly crisp cinnamon-sugar topping.
- Versatile: Enjoy it warm with coffee, pack it in lunchboxes, or serve it as a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create this irresistible Cinnamon Apple Bread, you’ll need just a handful of pantry staples and fresh apples:
For the Bread:
- 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
For the Apple Mixture:
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 large apple, peeled, cored, and chopped into small pieces
For the Topping:
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Glaze:
- 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons water
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8.5 x 4.5-inch loaf pan or line it with a parchment paper sling for easy removal later.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar
Using an electric mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract on medium-high speed until light and fluffy (about 3–4 minutes). Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well combined.
4. Add the Eggs and Milk
Beat in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. With the mixer on low speed, alternate adding the dry ingredients with the milk—starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; avoid overmixing.
5. Prepare the Apple Mixture
In a separate bowl, toss the chopped apple pieces with brown sugar and cinnamon until evenly coated.
6. Assemble the Bread
Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spread half of the apple mixture on top and gently swirl it into the batter using a knife or skewer. Repeat with the remaining batter and apple mixture, swirling lightly again.
7. Add the Topping
Combine brown sugar and cinnamon for the topping in a small bowl. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the batter for a sweet and slightly crunchy crust.
8. Bake to Perfection
Bake in the preheated oven for 45–55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (a few moist crumbs are fine). The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven and the moisture content of your apples.
9. Cool and Glaze
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 15–20 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. While it cools, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, cinnamon, and water to make the glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread for an extra touch of sweetness.
Tips for Success
- Choose Your Apples Wisely: While any apple variety works, tart Granny Smith apples provide a nice contrast to the sweetness of the bread, while crisp Gala or Fuji apples add natural sweetness.
- Dice Apples Small: Cutting apples into small or medium-sized pieces ensures they bake evenly into the bread without creating soggy spots.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing can lead to dense bread; mix just until combined for a tender crumb.
- Store Properly: Keep your Cinnamon Apple Bread covered at room temperature for up to three days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
A Twist on Dutch Apple Bread
This Cinnamon Apple Bread shares similarities with Dutch apple bread but skips the streusel topping in favor of a simple cinnamon-sugar crust that’s equally delightful. If you’re craving more crunch, feel free to add a streusel made with flour, butter, and sugar before baking.
Enjoy Every Slice!
There’s something magical about slicing into a loaf of homemade Cinnamon Apple Bread—the swirl of cinnamon apples in the center, the golden crust on top, and that first warm bite bursting with flavor. Whether you’re serving it at brunch or gifting it to friends and family, this bread is sure to bring smiles all around.
So grab your favorite apples, preheat your oven, and let this recipe fill your kitchen with all the cozy vibes of fall baking! Don’t forget to share your creations by tagging @Glonfocom on Pinterest—we’d love to see how your Cinnamon Apple Bread turns out!
PrintCinnamon Apple Bread
This moist and tender Cinnamon Apple Bread has a scrumptious swirl of brown sugar apples in the middle and a crisp top drizzled with light cinnamon glaze. This easy-to-make apple bread will become a favorite fall treat and one of the best quick breads you’ll ever bake.
- Prep Time: 10 servings
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 1 hour 5 minutes 1x
- Category: Quick Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1–1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1–1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
Apple Mixture:
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1–1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 large apple, peeled, cored, and chopped into small pieces
Topping:
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Glaze:
- 3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour an 8.5 x 4.5 inch loaf pan.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Using an electric handheld or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, sugar, and vanilla together on medium-high speed until smooth and pale (about 3-4 minutes). Scrape down the sides and the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until incorporated.
- With the mixer on low speed, add about half of the flour mixture, alternating with half the milk. Add the remaining flour mixture and milk and mix to combine.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and apples. Set aside.
- To make the topping, in a small bowl combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
- Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan and top it with half of the apple mixture. With a knife or skewer, swirl through the batter lightly. Don’t overdo it. The bread looks better when it has a beautiful thick layer of fruit and cinnamon sugar in the middle.
- Pour the remaining batter on top and then the remaining apple mixture. With a knife or skewer, swirl through the batter a couple of times in both directions. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top.
- Bake for about 45 to 55 minutes or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Only a few moist crumbs should attach to the cake tester or toothpick due to the soft apples in the center.
- Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 15 – 20 minutes. While the bread is cooling, whisk together the glaze ingredients. Remove the bread from the pan and place it on a cooling rack. Drizzle the glaze over the bread. Let the bread cool completely before slicing.
Equipment:
- Loaf Pan (8.5″ x 4.5″)
- Stand Mixer, Kitchen Aid artisan 3.5 Qt
- Electric Hand Mixer
Notes
- For best results, I like to cut the apples small to medium dice.
- Apple bread can be kept at room temperature, covered for 2-3 days.
- You can use any type of apples to make this recipe, not just apples for baking. From crisp Galas to tart Granny Smiths and everything in between.
- This recipe is similar to Dutch apple bread which has streusel and glaze over the top. The cinnamon sugar on this bread resembles the streusel in the Dutch bread which is made with cinnamon, sugar, and flour.
- If you want to lift the bread from the loaf pan to transfer it to a cooling rack, make a parchment paper sling. To make a sling, place a strip of parchment paper across the length and width of the baking pan so that the paper overlaps the edges. When the bread is ready to transfer to the cooling rack, simply lift it by using the parchment paper as handles. Grease the parchment paper with cooking spray.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
