This apple cinnamon bread is buttery, moist, and cake-like, with plenty of apples dotted in each slice. Tossing the juicy apples in brown sugar and cinnamon before layering and swirling in the loaf pan is an important step. Assembling the loaf this way adds pockets of sweet cinnamon swirl and keeps the batter light. There’s so much flavor from swirling in the brown sugared apples that you don’t need icing or a crumb topping.
Easy Recipe For Apple Cinnamon Bread
Indulge in the warm and comforting embrace of homemade Apple Cinnamon Bread, a delightful treat that fills your kitchen with the irresistible scent of cinnamon and freshly baked apples. This easy-to-make bread is the epitome of comfort and nostalgia, with its moist, tender crumb and the perfect balance of sweetness and spice.
As you take your first bite, you’ll be greeted by the soft texture of the bread, lovingly studded with chunks of tender, caramelized apples that burst with natural sweetness in every mouthful. The warm, earthy notes of cinnamon and nutmeg gently dance on your taste buds, creating a harmonious symphony of soothing and satisfying flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups peeled, cored, and chopped apples (about 2 medium-sized apples)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
- For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch (23×13 cm) loaf pan.
- Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium-sized bowl. Set this dry ingredient mixture aside.
- Cream the softened butter and sugar in a separate large bowl until it becomes light and fluffy.
- Beat the eggs individually, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry and wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want the batter to be just mixed.
- Gently fold in the chopped apples, nuts (if using), and raisins or dried cranberries (if using).
- Pour the batter into the greased and floured loaf pan.
- Mix the 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon for the topping in a small bowl. Sprinkle this cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the batter in the loaf pan.
- Bake in the oven for about 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes clean. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so start checking around 50 minutes and adjust accordingly.
- Once done, remove the apple cinnamon bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy your homemade apple cinnamon bread!
This bread is perfect for breakfast or as a snack with a cup of tea or coffee. You can add a simple glaze or drizzle with caramel sauce for an extra touch of sweetness if you’d like.
Cinnamon Quick Bread Details
Flavor: The notable stars of this quick bread recipe are, you guessed it, cinnamon and apples. The bread’s crumb tastes like buttery cinnamon nutmeg spice cake, so you get a flavor punch even without the apples. Toss the apples in brown sugar and more cinnamon before layering into the loaf pan. These brown sugared apples add sweet, spiced, and moist swirls throughout the loaf as if we were indulging in apple cinnamon babka. (If you have the time and are up for a challenge, that recipe is a must-make!)
Texture: Have you ever tried this blueberry muffin bread? The texture of today’s apple cinnamon bread is similar—soft and moist, yet sturdy enough to hold a slice with your hand when you take a bite. And thanks to the liquid from the brown sugared apples seeping to the sides, the bread’s edges crisp up beautifully in the oven. (The top of the loaf stays pretty soft.)
Ease: This apple bread recipe combines baking ingredients like butter, sugar, flour, and eggs. Applesauce is likely the only “special” ingredient, but sour cream is an acceptable substitution if you have none. Like banana bread, creamed butter + sugar is the base, so an electric mixer is helpful. This is an easy fall baking recipe that bakers of any skill level can manage.
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