Cinnamon Apple Bread with Brown Sugar Swirl and Cinnamon Glaze

What Is Cinnamon Apple Bread?

Hi, I am so glad you are here because this Cinnamon Apple Bread is one of those recipes that fills your kitchen with the most comforting aroma.

Picture a tender, moist quick bread with a scrumptious swirl of brown sugar and cinnamon coated apples running through every single slice. That is exactly what you get here.

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A drizzle of cinnamon glaze on top adds just the right amount of sweetness and a hint of warm spice to the golden brown crust.

I have been baking quick breads for years, and this one always gets people asking for the recipe. It reminds me of Sunday mornings when the house is quiet and the oven is doing all the hard work. You just mix, swirl, bake, and glaze.

Nothing complicated, nothing fancy, just honest homemade goodness that tastes like it took far more effort than it actually did.

This loaf is perfect with our morning coffee or as an afternoon snack with a cup of tea. It also makes a wonderful gift for neighbors during the fall season. You can wrap it up in parchment paper, tie it with some twine, and share a little bit of warmth with someone you care about.

Flavor Profile

The buttery, moist crumbs of this cake like apple loaf pair beautifully with the sweetness of caramelized brown sugar, warm spices, and the tartness of juicy fresh apples. Every bite gives you that soft, tender texture from the bread itself, followed by little pockets of spiced apple that melt in your mouth.

The top of the loaf has a spiced brown sugar layer that adds a slight crispness, giving you a nice contrast against the soft crumb underneath. Then the glaze ties everything together.

It is sweet but not overpowering, making this bread reminiscent of apple pie but noticeably less sweet. I hear your pain if you find some quick breads too sugary, and this one really strikes a lovely balance.

If you love the combination of apple cake and apple pie, this recipe brings both worlds together in a single loaf pan. The cinnamon is present but gentle, and the apples keep the bread moist for days after baking.

Why this Easy Apple Bread Recipe Works

There are a few reasons this apple bread recipe stands out from the rest, and I want to walk you through them so you know exactly what to expect.

Moist and Tender: The sweet apples folded into the brown sugar cinnamon swirl keep this homemade bread deliciously moist. Unlike some quick breads that dry out after a day, this one stays soft thanks to the fruit distributed throughout the loaf.

Flavor: The buttery, sweet, apple cinnamon flavor is like a combination of apple cake and apple pie baked right into a loaf pan. You get the warmth of cinnamon, the richness of butter, and the freshness of real apple in every bite.

Make Ahead Friendly: This bread is a fantastic make ahead option for holidays. It freezes beautifully, which means you can bake it days in advance and simply thaw it when you are ready to serve.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here is a quick look at the main ingredients and some helpful substitutions I have tested over the years.

• Flour: I use all purpose flour for the best structure and texture. If you only have bread flour, you can use it, but the crumb will be slightly denser.
• Eggs: I use large eggs at room temperature. Room temperature eggs blend more evenly into the batter, which helps keep the bread light.
• Baking Powder: This is the leavening agent that gives the bread its lift and produces a light, tender crumb.
• Butter: I use unsalted butter, softened. If you only have salted butter, just reduce the added salt by half.
• Milk: Whole milk works best, but 2 percent milk is perfectly acceptable.
• Apples: Braeburn, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith are excellent for baking. However, any type like Gala or Fuji works too.

What’s in Cinnamon Apple Bread?

Here is the complete ingredient list organized by component so you can easily gather everything before you start. The recipe is divided into four parts: the main bread batter, the apple mixture, the topping, and the glaze.

One large apple yields about 1 and 1/2 to 2 cups of chopped apple pieces. A good target size for your apple is about 3.5 inches in diameter. You do not need to be precise, but having enough apple ensures that signature swirl of fruit in every slice.

How to Make Apple Bread

Let me walk you through the process step by step. This recipe takes about 15 minutes of prep and 50 minutes of baking, for a total time of 1 hour and 5 minutes. It yields 10 servings, perfect for a small gathering or a week of snacks.

1. Get Ready: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour an 8.5 x 4.5 inch loaf pan. For easy removal, you can line the pan with a parchment paper sling.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Beat Butter and Sugar: Using an electric handheld or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, sugar, and vanilla together on medium high speed until smooth and pale, about 3 to 4 minutes. Scrape down the sides and the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
4. Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until incorporated.
5. Combine Wet and Dry: With the mixer on low speed, add about half of the flour mixture, alternating with half the milk. Add the remaining flour mixture and milk and mix to combine. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Prepare the Apple Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and chopped apples. Set aside.
7. Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon for the topping. Set aside.
8. Layer and Swirl First Half: Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan and top it with half of the apple mixture. With a knife or skewer, swirl through the batter lightly. Do not overdo it. The bread looks better when it has a beautiful thick layer of fruit and cinnamon sugar in the middle.
9. Layer and Swirl Second Half: Pour the remaining batter on top and then add the remaining apple mixture. With a knife or skewer, swirl through the batter a couple of times in both directions. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar topping mixture on top.
10. Bake: Bake for about 45 to 55 minutes or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Only a few moist crumbs should be attached to the tester due to the soft apples in the center. The bread is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
11. Cool and Glaze: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 15 to 20 minutes. While the bread is cooling, whisk together the glaze ingredients. Remove the bread from the pan and place it on a cooling rack. Drizzle the glaze over the bread. Let the bread cool completely before slicing.

Apple Bread Recipe Tips

For best results, I like to share a few tips I have picked up from baking this loaf many times. These small details make a big difference in the final result.

• Cut the apples small to medium dice. Large chunks can make the bread difficult to slice and may cause uneven baking. Small pieces distribute more evenly and keep the texture tender.
• Peel the apples. Leaving the peel on changes the texture and can make the bread feel chewy. For the smoothest crumb, peel your apples before chopping.
• Do not overmix the batter. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour and can make the bread dense. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
• Use the correct flour measurement. Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Scooping directly from the bag packs the flour and leads to a dry loaf.
• Cracks on top are normal. Quick breads often crack along the top during baking. This is completely normal and does not affect the taste or texture.
• Use a parchment paper sling. For easy removal, line your loaf pan with a strip of parchment paper that hangs over the sides. You can lift the bread right out after cooling.

Storage: Apple bread can be kept at room temperature, covered, for 2 to 3 days. If you want it to last longer, store it in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.

You can also freeze it for 1 to 2 months by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight for best results.

This bread is similar to Dutch apple bread, which also features a streusel topping and glaze. If you enjoy that style, you will love this recipe too.

Per serving, this Cinnamon Apple Bread contains 261 calories, 40g carbohydrates, 2g protein, 11g fat, 6g saturated fat, 1g fiber, 34g sugar, 220mg sodium, and 58mg cholesterol. It is a treat you can feel good about sharing with family and friends.

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What Is Cinnamon Apple Bread? Hi, I am so glad you are here because this Cinnamon Apple Bread is one of those recipes that fills your kitchen with the most comforting aroma.

• Total Time: 65 min
• Yield: 10 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1–1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1–1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened, (1 stick)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
Apple Mixture
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1–1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 large apple, peeled, cored, and chopped into small pieces

Topping
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Glaze
3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons water

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Instructions

1-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour an 8.5 x 4.5 inch loaf pan.
2-In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
3-Using an electric handheld or stand mixer: Using an electric handheld or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, sugar and vanilla together, on medium-high speed until smooth and pale (about 3-4 minutes). Scrape down the sides and the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
4-Beat in the eggs, one at a: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until incorporated.
5-With the mixer on low speed, add: With the mixer on low speed, add about half of the flour mixture, alternating with half the milk. Add the remaining flour mixture and milk and mix to combine.
6-In a mixing bowl, combine the brown: In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, ground cinnamon and apples. Set aside.
7-To make the topping, in a small: To make the topping, in a small bowl combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside
8-Pour half of the batter into the: Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan and top it with half of the apple mixture. With a knife or skewer, swirl through the batter lightly. Don’t over do it. The bread looks better when it has a beautiful thick layer of fruit and cinnamon sugar in the middle.
9-Pour the remaining batter on top and: Pour the remaining batter on top and then the remaining apple mixture. With a knife or skewer, swirl through the batter a couple of times in both directions. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top.
10-Bake for about 45 to 55 minutes: Bake for about 45 to 55 minutes or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Only a few moist crumbs should attached to the cake tester or toothpick due to the soft apples in the center.
11-Remove the bread from the oven and: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 15 – 20 minutes. While the bread is cooling, whisk together the glaze ingredients. Remove the bread from the pan and place it on a cooling rack. Drizzle the glaze over the bread. Let the bread cool completely before slicing.

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• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 50 min
• Method: bake

Nutrition

• Calories: 261 kcal
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 58 mg