Description
This Cinnamon Apple Bread recipe offers a moist and flavorful loaf studded with tender apple pieces and layers of cinnamon sugar, topped off with a sweet cinnamon glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy dessert, this quick bread combines autumnal flavors in every bite, baked to golden perfection in a single loaf.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt (reduce to ¼ tsp if using salted butter)
Wet Ingredients
- 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)
Apple & Cinnamon Filling
- 1 ½ cups chopped apples (varieties like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Jonagold)
- 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 ensure the bread doesn’t stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to combine and aerate the leavening agents evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, which helps create a tender crumb. Then add the eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition, followed by stirring in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the flour mixture. Stir until just combined, taking care not to overmix to keep your bread tender.
- Incorporate Apples and Cinnamon Sugar: In a separate small bowl, combine the light brown sugar and ground cinnamon for the spiced sugar mixture. Fold 1 cup of the chopped apples into the batter gently. Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the batter, then add the remaining batter on top. Finally, scatter the rest of the chopped apples over the top.
- Add the Topping: Mix the remaining 2 tablespoons light brown sugar with ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Sprinkle this cinnamon sugar topping evenly over the entire batter in the loaf pan to create a sweet, crunchy crust.
- Bake the Bread: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This indicates the bread is fully cooked.
- Cool the Bread: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the bread set and makes it easier to slice.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioner’s sugar, 1 to 2 tablespoons milk, and optional cinnamon until smooth, adding milk gradually for the desired consistency.
- Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the glaze evenly over the cooled bread. Once the glaze sets a little, slice the bread and serve. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Using apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Jonagold provides the best texture and tartness balance.
- Do not overmix the batter to ensure your bread stays light and tender.
- You can substitute 2% milk with whole milk or a non-dairy alternative if preferred.
- The glaze can be adjusted in thickness by varying the milk quantity; thicker glaze is ideal for a stronger sweetness.
- Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
