Cinnamon Apple Bread Recipe

If you crave the aroma of cinnamon wafting through your kitchen and love a loaf that’s tender, moist, and bursting with juicy apples, then this Cinnamon Apple Bread is destined to become your new baking obsession! Rustic, warmly spiced, and crowned with an irresistible sweet glaze, it’s the perfect treat for cozy mornings, afternoon pick-me-ups, or sharing with someone you adore.

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes this Cinnamon Apple Bread so special is how it transforms humble, everyday ingredients into something magical. Every component—from the crisp apple down to the final swoosh of glaze—plays a starring role in flavor, texture, and aroma.

• All-purpose flour: Provides the backbone, ensuring our loaf holds together while remaining soft and tender.
• Baking powder: This is our leavening powerhouse, giving the bread a lovely lift and crumb.
• Salt: Just a pinch heightens sweetness and beautifully balances flavors.
• Unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and moisture—make sure it’s truly softened for a silky-smooth batter.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the bread and helps whip the butter to pillowy perfection.
• Vanilla extract: A splash brings warmth and coziness to every bite.
• Eggs: Bind the batter, enriching it with a hint of custardy goodness.
• Milk: Keeps the bread soft and provides just the right amount of moisture.
• Apple (peeled, cored, chopped): The heart of this recipe! Choose a sweet-tart variety like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji for bright flavor and a little texture even after baking.
• Light brown sugar: Used in the apple mixture and topping for a caramel-like boost and gentle chew.
• Ground cinnamon: Woven throughout the loaf, it truly makes this bread sing with spice.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet glaze that sets into a delicate finish.
• Water: Just enough to make our glaze drape and drizzle gracefully over the cooled loaf.

Variations

One of the most delightful things about homemade Cinnamon Apple Bread is how endlessly customizable it is. With a quick tweak or a simple substitution, you can make this recipe uniquely yours—or tailor it for guests and special occasions!

• Add Chopped Nuts: Stir in 1/2 cup toasted walnuts or pecans for crunch, flavor, and irresistible texture in every bite.
• Go Whole Wheat: Substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier, nuttier loaf with extra fiber.
• Dairy-Free Swap: Use your favorite plant-based butter and non-dairy milk (like almond or oat) for a loaf that’s just as moist and delicious.
• Spice it Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to complement the cinnamon, or toss in a handful of raisins for added sweetness.

How to Make Cinnamon Apple Bread

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour an 8.5 x 4.5-inch loaf pan—this extra step guarantees your Cinnamon Apple Bread slides right out, every time. Gather and measure all your ingredients, peel and dice the apple, and set out butter to soften for the fluffiest batter.

Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Combining your dry ingredients first ensures they’re evenly distributed, so your bread bakes up tender and perfectly risen throughout.

Step 3: Cream Butter, Sugar & Vanilla

Use an electric mixer to beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla together until pale, fluffy, and light. This step creates tiny air pockets that give Cinnamon Apple Bread a lovely lift and melt-in-your-mouth crumb.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Alternate with Flour & Milk

Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed. Then alternate adding half of the flour mixture with half of the milk, keeping the mixer on low speed. Repeat with the rest, mixing just until combined—this gentle approach prevents dense bread.

Step 5: Prepare Cinnamon Apple and Topping Mixtures

In a small bowl, toss your apple pieces with brown sugar and cinnamon—it’s like a shortcut to apple-pie flavor! Prepare the topping mix by blending together brown sugar and cinnamon in another small bowl and set aside; this will become that gorgeous crusty finish.

Step 6: Assemble and Swirl

Pour half the batter into your prepared pan, sprinkle with half the apple mixture, and give it a gentle swirl using a knife or skewer. Repeat with the remaining batter and apples, swirling again, then crown the top with your cinnamon sugar mixture for a bakery-worthy finish.

Step 7: Bake and Glaze

Bake for 45–55 minutes, until a tester comes out with just a few moist crumbs. After cooling, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, cinnamon, and water to make a simple glaze, then generously drizzle it over your cooled Cinnamon Apple Bread. Let it set, then slice and enjoy!

How to Serve Cinnamon Apple Bread

Garnishes

Take your Cinnamon Apple Bread up a notch with a shower of extra cinnamon sugar or a handful of chopped toasted nuts sprinkled over the glaze. For a little café flair, dust each slice with a bit of powdered sugar or add thin apple slices fanned artfully on the plate for a pretty, rustic touch.

Side Dishes

This bread goes beautifully with tangy Greek yogurt or a dollop of whipped cream if you’re feeling indulgent. For a balanced breakfast, serve thick slices alongside scrambled eggs and crisp bacon, or enjoy as an afternoon snack with your favorite warm beverage.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn individual slices into a decadent dessert by grilling them lightly and serving with vanilla ice cream and salted caramel drizzle. Or, cube leftover bread to make unique French toast bites or a festive bread pudding for your next brunch gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap Cinnamon Apple Bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The loaf stays perfectly moist and even more flavorful as the apples continue to mingle with all that cinnamon goodness.

Freezing

For longer storage, let the bread cool completely, then wrap individual slices or the whole loaf in a double layer of plastic wrap followed by foil. Freeze for up to 2 months—simply thaw overnight at room temperature when ready to enjoy.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-baked magic, warm slices in the microwave for about 15–20 seconds or in a toaster oven until just heated through. If you love a crackly crust, pop the slice in the oven for a few minutes and your Cinnamon Apple Bread will taste just-baked!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Baking a fresh loaf of Cinnamon Apple Bread at home is like wrapping the whole house in a warm, spiced embrace. Whether you enjoy it with coffee, as an afternoon treat, or as dessert, there’s just nothing quite as heartwarming. I hope this recipe brings as much cozy joy to your kitchen as it does to mine—don’t wait for autumn to make it, any day is the perfect day for this classic! Happy baking, friend!

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