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Cozy, Comforting, and Full of Cinnamon-Spiced Apples
I’ll be honest—before I had kids, I barely baked. Now? Our house smells like cinnamon on most weekends, and this cinnamon apple bread is a big reason why. It’s one of those recipes that makes you feel like a pro, even if you’re still figuring things out in the kitchen. And trust me—I’ve been there.
It all started one crisp October morning when Lily asked, “Can we make apple pie for breakfast?” I didn’t have the energy for rolling crusts, but I did have apples, cinnamon, and a loaf pan. What came out of the oven was so good it felt like a little win—and that win turned into a family favorite.
This bread is soft and buttery inside, with a ribbon of brown sugar apples swirled through the center and a cinnamon sugar crust that bakes up crisp. A light glaze adds just the right touch of sweetness without being over the top. It’s like the lovechild of apple pie and pound cake—but way easier.
And if you love this kind of cozy fall treat, you’ll definitely want to try our baked apple fritters or apple cinnamon rolls. Both are simple enough for beginner bakers, just like this one.
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Apple Bread
Soft & Moist Texture: Thanks to real chopped apples and rich butter, every slice stays tender and cake-like for days.
Swirled with Flavor: That brown sugar-cinnamon-apple swirl gives it a bakery-quality finish—and makes the inside taste like fall.
Easy to Make Ahead: Bake it now, freeze it for later, or wrap it up for a cozy homemade gift.
Kid-Approved: No surprise here—Lily and Jonah love it warm with a glass of milk after school.
Beginner-Friendly: No yeast, no complicated steps—just simple ingredients and a swirl technique that even little hands can help with. (Lily actually loves doing the swirl part herself!)
Ingredients for Cinnamon Apple Bread (And Why They Work)
This recipe keeps things simple, but every ingredient plays a part in making this loaf soft, flavorful, and perfectly spiced.
All-Purpose Flour
It forms the structure of the bread. Spoon and level it when measuring so your loaf doesn’t come out dense.
Baking Powder
Just enough to give the bread a nice rise without becoming too cake-like.
Ground Cinnamon
The star spice! Use a fresh jar if you can—it really makes the flavor pop. You could also add a pinch of nutmeg or apple pie spice for extra depth.
Try this spice combo in our pumpkin cinnamon rolls too—it’s unbeatable.
Salt
A little salt balances the sweetness and enhances the cinnamon.
Unsalted Butter
Melted butter gives this loaf richness and moisture. Let it cool slightly before adding to your eggs so it doesn’t scramble them.
Granulated Sugar + Brown Sugar
The combo adds the perfect sweetness. Brown sugar also gives that caramel-like flavor in the apple swirl.
Eggs
Eggs bind everything and help the loaf stay light and fluffy. Room temperature eggs work best.
Milk
Just a little helps loosen the batter and keeps things soft. You can use whole, 2%, or even dairy-free milk.
Vanilla Extract
Adds warmth and brings out the apple flavor.
Apples
Firm, slightly tart apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith are perfect. Peel and dice them small—about 1/4-inch pieces. You want juicy bits, not soggy chunks.
These same apples work beautifully in our caramel apple cider cookies, too.
Cinnamon Sugar Swirl
A quick mix of brown sugar and cinnamon creates that gorgeous layered effect—and makes the house smell amazing while it bakes.
How to Make Cinnamon Apple Bread (Step-by-Step)
You don’t need any fancy tools—just a bowl, a whisk, and a loaf pan. Here’s exactly how to bring this cozy apple bread together.
Step 1 – Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. For easy removal, line it with parchment paper and let the sides hang over for a sling.
Step 2 – Mix the Cinnamon Sugar Swirl
In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar and cinnamon for the swirl. Set aside.
Step 3 – Prepare the Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the melted butter, sugars, eggs, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
Pour the wet mixture into the dry and stir until just combined. Gently fold in the diced apples. Don’t overmix—just enough to distribute the fruit.
Tip: If the batter feels very thick, that’s okay! It bakes up moist because of the apples.
Step 4 – Layer & Swirl
Pour half the batter into the loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar swirl over the top. Add the remaining batter and top with the rest of the swirl. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the cinnamon sugar into the batter.
This swirl technique is exactly how we layer flavor into our nectarine cinnamon sugar cobbler too—simple but so impactful.
Step 5 – Bake
Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Tent with foil around the 40-minute mark if the top is browning too quickly.
Step 6 – Cool & Glaze (Optional)
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then use the parchment sling to lift it out and transfer to a wire rack. You can serve it plain or mix up a quick glaze with powdered sugar and milk to drizzle over the top.
Bonus: It’s even better the next day—just like our snickerdoodle zucchini bread!
Pro Tips for Perfect Apple Bread
- Cut apples small: 1/4-inch pieces bake more evenly and prevent sinking.
- Use parchment paper sling: Makes cleanup easier and helps lift the loaf neatly.
- Add nuts or glaze: Try chopped pecans in the batter or a maple glaze on top for a bakery finish.
- Cool completely before slicing: It’s tempting, but warm bread can fall apart—patience is worth it!
FAQ: Cinnamon Apple Bread
What’s the best apple for cinnamon apple bread?
Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. They hold their shape and add a nice contrast to the sweet cinnamon swirl.
Why did my bread sink in the middle?
It may be underbaked or the batter was overmixed. Make sure to bake until a toothpick comes out mostly clean, and fold gently when adding apples.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum. The texture may be slightly softer, but still delicious.
How do I know when it’s done baking?
The top should feel firm and bounce back slightly when touched. A toothpick inserted in the center should have a few moist crumbs (not raw batter).
How to Store & Freeze Cinnamon Apple Bread
Room Temperature:
Store covered at room temp for up to 3 days. Keep it in a sealed container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap.
Refrigerator:
Keeps well in the fridge for up to a week. Just bring it to room temp or warm in the microwave before serving.
Freezer:
Wrap the loaf tightly in foil and place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm in the oven at 300°F for 10–15 minutes to refresh the texture.
Tip: For gifting, slice the bread after it’s cooled completely, wrap individually in parchment, and stack neatly in a festive tin—just like we do with our apple pie oatmeal cookies.
Final Thoughts
This cinnamon apple bread is more than just a fall bake—it’s one of those cozy, memory-making recipes that feels just right on a chilly morning with coffee or tucked into lunchboxes for a sweet surprise. It’s simple enough for new bakers and special enough to share (if it lasts that long).
Whether you’re baking for your family or just craving something spiced and soothing, this one’s got your name on it. If you loved this loaf, you’ll definitely want to try our baked apple fritters or our blueberry zucchini bread—both are easy, cozy, and packed with flavor.
Let’s keep baking real, fun, and stress-free—one loaf at a time.
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Cinnamon Apple Bread – Soft, Swirled & Full of Fall Flavor
- Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
- Yield: 1 loaf (10 slices) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This cinnamon apple bread is soft, buttery, and filled with warm swirls of brown sugar and tender apples. It’s easy to make and perfect for breakfast, dessert, or fall gift-giving.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups peeled and finely diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
Cinnamon Sugar Swirl:
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon for the swirl.
3. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
4. In another bowl, mix melted butter, sugars, eggs, milk, and vanilla.
5. Add wet to dry and mix until just combined. Fold in diced apples.
6. Pour half the batter into the pan. Sprinkle with half the swirl mix.
7. Add remaining batter and top with rest of swirl. Swirl with knife.
8. Bake 50–60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Cool for 15 minutes, then lift from pan and cool completely.
Notes
Cut apples into small pieces to ensure even baking.
You can add chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
Optional glaze: 1/2 cup powdered sugar + 1 tbsp milk.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 55 mins
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg