This easy Apple Cinnamon Bread recipe is moist, tender and packed with fresh apples and sweet cinnamon sugar. With delicious layers of cinnamon and apple in every bite, this cozy apple bread recipe is perfect for breakfast, snacking or dessert! Everything you love about fall baking in one delicious loaf!
Love baking homemade bread? Make sure to try out these favorites: Cranberry Orange Bread, Lemon Blueberry Bread and this Pumpkin Cinnamon Bread!
Apple Bread Recipe
There are few things that make a kitchen smell more inviting than apples and cinnamon baking together and it’s something I look forward to each fall. This wonderfully delicious cinnamon apple bread recipe is one of the first things we bake up when the weather starts to hint that we might be getting cooler weather soon. It’s always a hit – buttery, flavorful and entirely irresistible! It tastes like fall and makes your kitchen smell absolutely amazing!
This delicious bread is proof you don’t need a complicated recipe or a long list of ingredients to make something special. Fresh apples are the star of this simple and satisfying recipe. Layers of chopped apples and brown sugar cinnamon add sweetness and texture throughout the buttery, vanilla-scented loaf. The result? A tender, flavorful loaf that’s easy enough for everyday baking and is sure to delight friends and family all season long.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you love easy baking recipes that make a big impression without requiring a ton of work, this apple bread needs to be on your fall baking list! This recipe starts with a simple vanilla cake base and then gets a generous helping of fresh apples, cinnamon and sugar. Here are a few reasons we love it so much:
- Simple ingredients: You probably have most of what you need already in your kitchen pantry.
- Fresh apple flavor: Finely chopped apples are layered throughout the loaf for a delicious fruity bite in every slice.
- Warm cinnamon sugar: Brown sugar, cinnamon and apples are pretty much a dream team combination any time but are especially delicious in this easy-to-make recipe.
- Easy to make: The batter comes together quickly and the layering technique is wonderfully simple.
- Perfect for any time of day: Serve a slice for breakfast, enjoy it with afternoon coffee, or sneak a piece for dessert. We won’t tell!
Ingredients Needed
Each ingredient plays an important part in creating the flavor and tender texture of this Apple Bread. For the best results, measure carefully and bring the refrigerated ingredients to room temperature before mixing.
How To Make Apple Cinnamon Bread
This easy bread recipe comes together with a simple batter, fresh apples, and a generous cinnamon-brown sugar mixture. The secret to those pretty layers is adding the ingredients in stages so you get apples and cinnamon sugar throughout the loaf instead of just on top.
Here’s a quick look at how to make this recipe, and as always, you can find the full printable recipe card at the end of this post. There is also a video showing how to make this apple bread.
- Prepare the pan. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper for easier removal.
- Make the cinnamon sugar. Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.
- Make the batter. Beat the room-temperature butter until smooth, then add the white sugar and blend until well combined. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until incorporated.
- Add the dry ingredients. Slowly add the flour, baking powder, and salt, alternating with the milk as needed. Mix just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
- Start layering. Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Add half of the chopped apples and half of the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Add the remaining batter. Gently press the apples and cinnamon sugar into the batter, then spread the remaining batter over the top.
- Finish the loaf. Add the remaining apples and cinnamon sugar to the top and gently press them into the batter.
- Bake. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and serve. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to finish cooling before slicing.
Storage Information
- Room Temperature: Once the apple cinnamon bread has cooled completely, keep it well wrapped or stored in an airtight container to help maintain its moist texture.
- Make Ahead: This loaf is also a great recipe to make ahead when you’re planning a breakfast or brunch. Bake it the day before, let it cool completely, and store it covered until you’re ready to serve.
- Freezer: For longer storage, the loaf can be frozen. Wrap the cooled bread well and place it in a freezer-safe container or bag. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Recipe Notes:
For the best texture, allow refrigerated or frozen bread to come back to room temperature before enjoying.
Variations To Try
Want to put your own spin on this classic apple bread? Try one of these ideas:
- Try a different apple. Granny Smith is the apple used in the original recipe, and its tart flavor works beautifully with the sweet cinnamon sugar. You can experiment with another firm baking apple if you prefer.
- Add nuts. Chopped pecans or walnuts would add a delicious bit of crunch.
- Add a simple glaze. Drizzle the cooled loaf with a quick powdered sugar glaze for an extra-sweet finish.
- Make it extra cozy. Add a pinch of apple pie spice to the cinnamon sugar mixture for even more warm fall flavor.
- Serve it warm. A slightly warm slice with a little butter is a very good idea. In fact, we highly recommend it.
- Make muffins or mini loaves: Divide the batter and layers among prepared muffin cups or mini loaf pans. Begin checking early because smaller portions will bake much faster than a full-size loaf.
What kind of apples are best for apple cinnamon bread?
Granny Smith apples are a great choice for this recipe because their tart flavor balances the sweetness of the bread and cinnamon sugar. The original recipe uses one large Granny Smith apple, finely chopped.
Can I use a different type of apple?
Absolutely. A firm apple that holds its shape well during baking should work nicely. Just keep in mind that sweeter apples will change the overall sweetness of the loaf.
Can I make this recipe as muffins?
Yes. Layer the batter, apples and cinnamon sugar in a lined muffin pan, filling each cup no more than about three-quarters full, and begin checking for doneness much earlier than you would for the loaf.
How do I know when the bread is done?
Insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. The toothpick should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but it should not have wet batter on it.
Trish’s Tips
- Use room-temperature butter. This helps the butter and sugar blend smoothly and creates a better batter.
- Don’t overmix. Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined for the best texture.
- Chop the apples finely. Smaller pieces distribute more evenly throughout the loaf and make it easier to get apple in every bite.
- Don’t skip the layering. Adding the apples and cinnamon sugar in two layers gives this bread its delicious apple and cinnamon flavor throughout.
- Let the bread cool. I know, waiting is hard! But allowing the loaf to cool for 15 minutes in the pan before transferring it to a rack makes it easier to handle and slice.
More Apple Recipes To Try
- Caramel Apple Cookies
- Apple Crisp
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake
- Apple Cobbler
- Apple Cream Cheese Bundt Cake
Apple Cinnamon Bread
Ingredients
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter 1 stick, room temperature
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour spooned and leveled
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt omit if using salted butter
- ½ cup milk whole milk preferred
- 1 large apple peeled and finely chopped (about 1 1/4 cups chopped) – I used Granny Smith
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.½ cup brown sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or using an electric mixer, beat butter until smooth, then add granualted sugar and continue to blend until fully incorporated.½ cup unsalted butter, ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- Add eggs and vanilla and blend until well combined.2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Slowly add flour, baking powder, salt and then milk. Blend just until all ingredients are well combined. Do not over-mix.1 ½ cups all purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, ½ cup milk
- Pour HALF of the batter into the prepared pan.
- Top batter with half of the diced apples, and half of the cinnamon sugar mixture.1 large apple
- Press apples and cinnamon sugar into the batter just a bit (with the back of a large spoon).
- Pour the remaining batter on top of the apple layer (spread as needed), then top with remaining apples and remaining cinnamon sugar.
- Again, press the apples and cinnamon sugar into the batter a bit.
- Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer loaf to a cooling rack to continue cooling.
Video
Notes
- Room Temperature: Once the apple cinnamon bread has cooled completely, keep it well wrapped or stored in an airtight container to help maintain its moist texture.
- Make Ahead: This loaf is also a great recipe to make ahead when you’re planning a breakfast or brunch. Bake it the day before, let it cool completely, and store it covered until you’re ready to serve.
- Freezer: For longer storage, the loaf can be frozen. Wrap the cooled bread well and place it in a freezer-safe container or bag. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Equipment Needed (affiliate links): Glass Mixing Bowls |Electric Mixer (Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer)| Whisk | Cooling Rack | 9 x 5 Inch Loaf Pan
Please see post above for more information, recipe tips and frequently asked questions.
Nutrition
Originally published September 14, 2017.
So many times the recipe posted is NOT the same as the one shown in the picture, please correct this! Its very irritating!!
I’m not sure what you are talking about. The recipe is exactly what is pictured…
Super delicious. We don’t have All-Purpose flour here in South Africa so, instead, I used Cake Flour, adding about 4 tablespoons. It came out stellar. Thanks so much for this recipe!
Wonderful! Thanks so much for the lovely note! So glad the recipe was a success for you and was enjoyed!
I have tried many of your breads and have LOVED every one I’ve tried so I’m adding this one as my next to try as apple season is upon us in WI.
Could you double the recipe and make it in a bundt cake pan?
Hi Linda, I have not tried to double the recipe (and bake as a bundt), but I do think it could be done. You’ll have to watch your bake time, it will take quite a while to bake, and you might need to gently cover the top with foil toward the end of baking so the top doesn’t get too dark before the inside is fully baked. Happy baking!
I followed the recipe exactly as it’s written but I added chopped walnuts. It was amazing!
Could you add pecans?