Add this apple cinnamon bread to the top of your fall baking list! You'll love combination of a tender crumb, the satisfying burst of juicy apples with every bite, and the wonderful swirls of cinnamon apple pie spice and brown sugar.
This apple cinnamon bread recipe is the perfect way to use fresh juicy apples this fall season. Similar to this sweet potato pudding, it can be enjoyed as a dessert or as a side to any breakfast! With THREE Honeycrisp apples, each slice is loaded with juicy apple pieces that adds the best flavor and texture to this fresh baked bread loaf.
The only thing that makes it better is the layers of apple pie spice and brown sugar swirled alongside them! Load up on apples this fall and make a loaf (or several) of this apple bread with cinnamon. Plus, this bread freezes well, so you can enjoy it well after all the apples have been picked over and gobbled up!
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Why This Recipe Works
1. This bread is loaded with apples! The perfect way to use freshly picked apples this fall.
2. The apple pie spiced brown sugar layer and swirl adds an extra pop of spice and sweetness to each bite!
3. Make one for now and freeze one for later!
🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
- Flour: use all-purpose flour.
- Sugar: use white granulated sugar.
- Brown Sugar: adds the perfect caramelized sweetness to the cinnamon swirl.
- Baking Soda: helps the bread rise.
- Baking Powder: gives the bread extra rise when paired with the baking soda.
- Salt: tenderizes the gluten in the bread and also helps balance out the sweetness.
- Buttermilk: adds a slight tangy flavor and helps make the crumb extra tender.
- Butter: unsalted butter works best to help ensure the bread doesn't taste too salty.
- Eggs: used as a binding agent for the dough and to help add a lighter texture to the bread.
- Apples: a slightly tart and sweet apple works best. Dice them small so you have sweet, flavorful, and juicy pieces in each slice.
- Apple Pie Spice: adds extra apple flavor in each bite!
- Vanilla Extract: a flavor enhancer that provides a light vanilla flavor.
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions!
📋 Variations
- Flour - try using a mix of half whole wheat and half all-purpose. Or, if you are gluten-free, try using a 1:1 gluten-free flour.
- Spices - if you don't have apple pie spice mix, you can make a substitute by combining ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of allspice. This combination will give this apple cinnamon bread a similar warm and spiced flavor.
- Add nuts - walnuts and pecans added to the batter not only add a crunch but also tastes delicious! Or, try adding candied nuts!
- Dried fruit - raisins or chopped dates are a great addition.
- Add an icing - little drizzle of icing made by combining 1 cup powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons of milk adds extra sweetness to the top of this bread loaf.
🥣 Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease the loaf pan with cooking spray or butter, set aside, then peel, core, and finely chop the apples.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the dark brown sugar and one tablespoon of the apple pie spice mix. Set aside.
Step 3-5: Add the eggs and granulated sugar to a large mixing bowl and mix on low speed for 1 minute. Next, add the melted butter, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed for 1 minute, until well combined.
Step 6-7: Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and remaining ½ teaspoon apple pie spice, and salt. Mix on low speed for 1 minute.
Step 8-9: Gently fold the chopped apples into the batter. Avoid overmixing.
👩🏼🍳 Chef's Note: If you're planning on adding nuts to the batter, this is the step to do it!
Step 10-11: Add half of the batter to the loaf pan, then a layer of the brown sugar and spice mixture and spread evenly.
Step 12-13: Add the remaining bread batter on top of the brown sugar layer, then top with the remaining brown sugar and spice mixture.
Step 14: Using a spoon, level the brown sugar and spice mixture while slightly swirling it into the top layer of the bread batter.
Step 15: Bake for 55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the bread to completely cool before slicing and serving.
Enjoy your perfectly tender, flavor-packed apple cinnamon bread, preferably with a hot cup of coffee on a cool autumn day!
🙋🏼♀️ Recipe FAQs
Use apples that are a good combination on sweet and tart. Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, and Fuji are some of the best apples for baking as they hold their shape and flavor as they bake.
Store freshly baked bread that's been cooled completely in an airtight container on the counter at room temperature for up to 3 days. Or, you can wrap it in an airtight bag or container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Yes! To freeze, wait for it to completely cool. Then, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap. Place it in an airtight bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw in the refrigerator and warm slightly (if desired) before serving.
💭 Expert Tips
- Avoid using softer apples like Red Delicious, Gala, or McIntosh that become mushy when baked.
- To enjoy the "fresh baked" warmth, even after a day or two, just loosely wrap a slice of bread in a paper towel and microwave for 5-10 seconds before eating.
- When dicing the apples, try to dice them as small as you can without mincing them, if left too big, the bread may have a difficult time staying together when you slice it.
🍲 More Recipes You'll Love!
If you tried this apple cinnamon bread or any other recipes on my website, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below. I love hearing from you! And, please leave a 🌟 rating while you're there!
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Apple Cinnamon Bread
Equipment
- 9x5 bread loaf pan
Ingredients
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon + ½ teaspoon apple pie spice, divided
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup butter, salted
- ½ cup sugar, granulated
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ tespoon salt
- 3 Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Grease the loaf pan with cooking spray or butter. Set aside.
- Peel, core, and finely chop the 3 apples. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, add ½ cup dark brown sugar and 1 Tablespoon of apple pie spice mix. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add 2 eggs and ½ cup granulated sugar and mix on low speed for 1 minute.
- Next, add in the ½ cup of melted butter, ½ cup buttermilk, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix on low speed for 1 minute until well combined.
- Add in 1 ¾ cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, remaining ½ teaspoon apple pie spice, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
- Mix on low speed for 1 minute.
- Gently fold in the chopped apples into the batter.
- Add half of the batter to the loaf pan. From there, add a layer of the brown sugar and spice mixture and spread evenly.
- Add the remaining bread batter on top of the brown sugar layer, then top with the remaining brown sugar and spice mixture.
- Using a spoon, level the brown sugar and spice mixture while slightly swirling it into the top layer of the bread batter.
- Bake for 55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow to completely cool before slicing and serving.
Notes
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- Avoid using softer apples like Red Delicious, Gala, or McIntosh that become mushy when baked. Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, and Fuji are some of the best apples for baking as they hold their shape and flavor as they bake.
-
- To enjoy the "fresh baked" warmth, even after a day or two, just loosely wrap a slice of bread in a paper towel and microwave for 5-10 seconds before eating.
-
- When dicing the apples, try to dice them as small as you can without mincing them, if left too big, the bread may have a difficult time staying together when you slice it.
Jamie
This is one of the best breads to make for this season.
It is so easy to make and delicious!
Amanda Mason
So glad you loved it!! Thanks for letting me know how it turned out!
Amy Liu Dong
I love bread so much, especially this one. The flavor is delicious and refreshing!
Amanda Mason
So glad it turned out so good and that you loved it!