Cinnamon Apple Bread Recipe

I absolutely adore this Cinnamon Apple Bread recipe; it transforms everyday apples into a cinnamon infused celebration. The apple swirl entwined with a golden, crisp topping creates an irresistible mix of textures that remind me of a cozy fall afternoon. Every bite is pure comfort and a delightful autumn indulgence.

I recently tried an amazing Cinnamon Apple Bread recipe that quickly became one of my favorite apple dessert recipes. I made it with 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 cup unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar in the batter, then I added 2 large eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 cup sour cream, and 1/4 cup milk.

The star of the show were 2 cups peeled and chopped apples that swirled in delicious brown sugar and cinnamon. I also mixed in 1 tsp ground cinnamon in the batter and used 1/2 cup brown sugar mixed with another 1 tsp ground cinnamon for the apple swirl.

To top, I drizzled a crunchy topping made with 3 tbsp melted butter, 1/3 cup brown sugar and 1 tsp ground cinnamon, plus a glaze combining 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 to 3 tbsp milk and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon. Its so simple and flavorful like a warm autumn hug.

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this cinnamon apple bread recipe for a bunch of reasons. First off, I really appreciate how moist the bread turns out, especially with those tender bits of apples that give it a cool, fresh flavor every time I take a bite. Second, the swirl of brown sugar and cinnamon mixed right through the batter is just amazing; it adds a sweet surprise in almost every slice. Third, the crisp topping on top gives the bread a lovely crunch that contrasts well with the soft interior, making me come back for seconds every time. Lastly, that smooth, cinnamon glaze drizzled over the cooled loaf makes it extra irresistible—it kinda reminds me of all the warm, cozy autumn days.

Ingredients

• Apples: Fresh and fiber-packed, offering natural sweetness and vitamins to brighten flavor.
• All purpose flour: Provides structure with carbohydrates and a neutral foundation for flavors.
• Eggs: Packed with protein and help bind ingredients, creating a tender crumb.
• Unsalted butter: Offers richness and moisture while boosting flavor and texture.
• Cinnamon: A warming spice delivering aromatic notes and a slight spicy kick.
• Sour cream and milk: Lend creaminess and balance while adding fat and moisture.
• Sugar: Brown and granulated sugars sweeten the bread and help form a crisp topping.

Ingredient Quantities

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 cups peeled and chopped apples (about 2 medium ones)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for the batter)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (for the apple swirl)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for the apple swirl)
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (for the topping)
• 1/3 cup brown sugar (for the crisp topping)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for the crisp topping)
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for the glaze)
• 2 to 3 tbsp milk (for the glaze)
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (for the glaze)

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.

2. In a bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp ground cinnamon meant for the batter.

3. In a separate large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened) and 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Then beat in 2 large eggs and 1 tsp vanilla extract.

4. Stir in 1/2 cup sour cream and 1/4 cup milk into the butter mixture until smooth.

5. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, being careful not to overmix.

6. Fold in 2 cups of peeled and chopped apples to the batter.

7. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup brown sugar with 1 tsp ground cinnamon for the apple swirl. Drop spoonfuls of this mixture into the batter and gently swirl it through with a knife.

8. For the crisp topping, mix 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter with 1/3 cup brown sugar and 1 tsp ground cinnamon then sprinkle it evenly over the batter.

9. Bake for about 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

10. While the bread cools, make the glaze by stirring together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 to 3 tbsp milk, and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon then drizzle it over the cooled bread before serving.

Equipment Needed

1. Preheated oven (set to 350°F) and a 9×5 inch loaf pan that you can grease.
2. A small bowl for whisking together the dry ingredients like flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
3. A large bowl for creaming the butter and sugar then mixing in the eggs, vanilla, sour cream, and milk.
4. An electric mixer or a hand whisk for beating the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
5. Measuring cups and spoons to get the correct amounts for each ingredient.
6. A small bowl for combining the brown sugar and cinnamon for the apple swirl, and another one for the crisp topping ingredients.
7. A knife to gently swirl the apple-cinnamon mixture into the batter.
8. A toothpick to test if the loaf is baked through.
9. A cooling rack so the bread can cool evenly after baking.

FAQ

• Q: How do I know when my Cinnamon Apple Bread is done?
  A: Stick a toothpick in the center and if it comes out clean then it’s ready. Sometimes there might be a few moist crumbs, but that’s normal.
• Q: Can I swap out the sour cream if I don’t have any?
  A: Yup, you can use plain yogurt as a substitute. It keeps the bread moist, but the tang might be a bit different.
• Q: What type of apples work best in this recipe?
  A: Firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best because they hold their shape when baked.
• Q: How should I store the bread after baking?
  A: Wrap it in plastic wrap or put it in an airtight container. It stays fresh for a few days at room temperature, but you can freeze slices if needed.
• Q: Can I prepare the batter ahead of time?
  A: Sure, you can mix the batter and even swirl in the apple mixture ahead of time. Just let it come back to room temperature before baking for best results.

Cinnamon Apple Bread Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• All-purpose Flour: You can substitute 1.5 cups of all-purpose flour with 1 cup all-purpose and 0.5 cup whole wheat flour to get a nuttier flavor. This might change the texture a bit tho
• Sour Cream: If you dont have sour cream on hand, plain Greek yogurt works really well as a replacement
• Milk: Almond milk is a good alternative to regular milk, especially if you trying to avoid dairy
• Unsalted Butter: You can use an equal amount of melted coconut oil as a substitute for unsalted butter. Just note it might add a slight coconut flavor
• Baking Soda: In a pinch, try replacing 1 tsp of baking soda with 3 tsp of baking powder to get that lift you need

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you let your butter get really soft (but not melted totally) before mixing it with the sugar to help it cream up just right.
2. When you add the dry ingredients to the wet mix, be careful not to overmix the batter because if you do it can make your bread turn out tough.
3. Gently fold in the chopped apples and swirl in that cinnamon brown sugar mixture; too much stirring can mess up the pretty swirl look.
4. Keep an eye on the baking time and use a toothpick to check doneness a few minutes early since all ovens are different and you dont want the crisp topping to burn.