Apple Cinnamon Bread
Highlighted under: Indulgent Baking Ideas
I have to admit, baking isn't my strongest suit, which is why I was so thrilled when this Apple Cinnamon Bread turned out fantastic. The whole thing runs about $8 to make, and it fills your home with the warmest, coziest smell. My partner couldn’t stop munching on it and even asked if I could make it again the next day.
One time, I tried to make a different bread recipe, and let’s just say it came out resembling a brick more than anything edible. I realized I had used way too much flour, which absorbed the moisture and turned it into a dense lump. Since then, I’ve been careful to measure my ingredients accurately, especially for baked goods like this Apple Cinnamon Bread.
Making this bread is a simple pleasure. I love mixing in the chopped apples with the cinnamon and sugar; it really makes a difference when you can see those bits in every slice. Honestly, it’s one of those recipes that you just keep making because it makes your mornings that much better.
The Secret to This Apple Cinnamon Bread
What makes this Apple Cinnamon Bread so special? Well, I think it’s the combination of fresh apples and warm spices that creates that cozy feeling. When you bite into it, the soft, tender bread combined with the juicy chunks of apple is simply delightful. Plus, the walnuts add a little extra crunch if you choose to include them, which I highly recommend.
One trick I’ve learned is to let the apples sit in some cinnamon and sugar for a few minutes before mixing them into the batter. It enhances their flavor and helps them retain more moisture while baking. Also, if you prefer a sweeter bread, you can always adjust the sugar to your taste. Sometimes I throw in a little extra brown sugar in the topping for good measure.
Ingredients
Gather these ingredients before you start:
For the Bread
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (like Kerrygold)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups peeled and chopped apples (about 2 medium apples)
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
For the Topping
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
Make sure everything is ready to go!
Instructions
Here’s how to make this bread:
Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan. I like to use cooking spray to make it easy but feel free to butter it up too.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. I usually eyeball the cinnamon because, let’s be honest, you can never have too much!
Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, beat together the softened butter and eggs until well combined. Then stir in the milk. Make sure the butter isn’t too hot, or it could cook the eggs.
Mix It Up
Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix here; lumps are okay! Then fold in the apples and walnuts, if you’re using them.
Prepare the Topping
In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon with the melted butter. This will create a lovely topping that makes the bread extra special.
Bake
Pour the batter into the loaf pan and sprinkle the topping evenly over the top. Bake it in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. You'll know it's done by the delightful smell wafting through your kitchen.
Cool and Serve
Once it's baked, let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Honestly, it’s tough not to dig in right away, but letting it cool makes it easier to slice.
Now enjoy that wonderful smell wafting through your home!
Pro Tips
- Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for more depth in flavor, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp.
- If you want to reduce sugar, you can substitute some of the sugar with unsweetened applesauce.
- This bread freezes well, so slice it up and keep some for those busy mornings.
Apple Cinnamon Bread Leftovers Plan
If you’re lucky enough to have some bread left over, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Honestly, it usually doesn’t last that long in my house! If it starts getting a bit dry, simply pop a slice in the microwave for about 10 seconds to bring some life back to it. You can also toast a slice for breakfast, maybe with a touch of butter or cream cheese spread on top.
If you want to keep it longer, freezing is a great option. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil and place it in a freezer bag. To reheat, just throw a frozen slice in the toaster or let it thaw on your countertop when you’re ready to enjoy it.
Dietary Swaps
For anyone looking for a gluten-free option, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour. I’ve tried it and it turns out really well, just keep an eye on the baking time, as it can vary slightly.
If you are dairy-free, substitute the butter with coconut oil or a dairy-free butter alternative. The bread will still retain a nice moist texture, and you'll get a hint of coconut flavor which I honestly find quite lovely. Lastly, if you want to cut back on sugar, you might try using applesauce in place of some of the sugar, just remember to adjust the liquid ingredients slightly to balance it out.
Questions About Recipes
→ Can I use whole wheat flour instead?
You can, but I wouldn’t use 100% whole wheat. A mix of half all-purpose and half whole wheat usually gives a nice texture.
→ Can I add other fruits?
Definitely! Just keep in mind that fruits like bananas might change the texture a bit, making it denser.
→ How long will this keep?
It lasts about 3-4 days at room temperature, but if you want it to last longer, pop it into the fridge.
Apple Cinnamon Bread
Created by: The Meals By Sophia Team
Recipe Type: Indulgent Baking Ideas
Skill Level: Intermediate
Final Quantity: 8.0
What You'll Need
For the Bread
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (like Kerrygold)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups peeled and chopped apples (about 2 medium apples)
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
For the Topping
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
How-To Steps
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan. I like to use cooking spray to make it easy but feel free to butter it up too.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. I usually eyeball the cinnamon because, let’s be honest, you can never have too much!
In a separate bowl, beat together the softened butter and eggs until well combined. Then stir in the milk. Make sure the butter isn’t too hot, or it could cook the eggs.
Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix here; lumps are okay! Then fold in the apples and walnuts, if you’re using them.
In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon with the melted butter. This will create a lovely topping that makes the bread extra special.
Pour the batter into the loaf pan and sprinkle the topping evenly over the top. Bake it in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. You'll know it's done by the delightful smell wafting through your kitchen.
Once it's baked, let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Honestly, it’s tough not to dig in right away, but letting it cool makes it easier to slice.
Extra Tips
- Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for more depth in flavor, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp.
- If you want to reduce sugar, you can substitute some of the sugar with unsweetened applesauce.
- This bread freezes well, so slice it up and keep some for those busy mornings.
Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)
- Calories (kcal): 212
- Total Fat (g): 8.1
- Saturated Fat (g): 4.9
- Cholesterol (mg): 63
- Sodium (mg): 202
- Total Carbohydrates (g): 32.4
- Dietary Fiber (g): 1.1
- Sugars (g): 14.2
- Protein (g): 3.3