Apple Cinnamon Bread is quick and easy to make from scratch and makes your house smell amazing! Swirled with delicious spiced apples and topped with cinnamon sugar, this quick bread recipe is sure to be a fall favorite.
This apple cinnamon quick bread has a nice crumb and is not overly sweet – a perfect fall breakfast, snack or dessert! The chopped apple inside that’s mixed with brown sugar and fall spices like cinnamon and nutmeg makes this bread super moist without it being doughy and keeps it fresh for days.
This cinnamon apple loaf cake tastes great warm out of the oven but I love it even more after a day or two! The flavor of the cinnamon apples come through even more when the bread has rested. Perfect for busy days when you don’t have time to bake on the same day!
What I also love about baking this cake is that the house smells amazing afterward! No need for fall candles, this easy recipe comes with your favorite fall scents included!
How to make Apple Cinnamon Bread
- I always make this bread in a 9×5 heavy-gauge steel loaf pan that has a non-stick coating. If you are using a glass pan or a dark metal pan baking time can vary so check the bread after 30 minutes and from then every 5-10 minutes until a skewer comes out clean with only a few crumbs attached.
- I like to line my pans with parchment paper. A parchment paper sling makes it super easy to lift the cake out of the pan and makes cleaning easier!
- You can use any apple you like. I have used Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, and Gala apples and the bread tastes great each time.
I’m on an apple kick lately! Ever since September started and the temperature has finally dropped I have been busy in the kitchen baking and most of my latest recipes are apple recipes. I love apple recipes all year round but somehow many people think apples are like pumpkins and baking with them is a seasonal thing. What about you? Luckily it’s technically autumn so making this apple cinnamon bread is totally ok!
To assemble this quick bread spread half of the batter into the pan and top it with half of the brown sugar apple mixture. The batter will be thick so the apple chunks won’t think to the bottom.
Top with the remaining batter and the other half of the apples. Try to distribute them evenly then use a knife to swirl them into the dough a little bit. Sprinkle some cinnamon sugar on top and bake for about 50 minutes.
When the bread is done take the pan out of the oven and let it cool down for a few minutes in the pan before transferring it to a cooling rack.
How to make this apple quick bread healthier
To make this bread a bit healthier you can switch out half of the butter and replace it with unsweetened applesauce instead. This gives the bread an extra apple kick and lowers the calories. The crumb might be not as light but still tasty.
I wouldn’t recommend replacing all the butter with applesauce because the butter adds flavor and richness. Using only applesauce might result in a rubbery texture.
You can also make this apple loaf cake healthier by reducing the brown sugar in the apple mixture. Especially if you use really sweet apples you probably won’t notice a difference. I would not recommend reducing the granulated sugar that’s needed for the cake batter because creaming the sugar and butter together gives this bread it’s volume and texture. Reducing the sugar will result in a drier more dense texture.
How to store apple bread
This bread keeps fresh covered at room temperature for up to 4 days. I think it tastes even better on the next day but most of the time it is already gone on the first.
Can I freeze apple bread?
Yes, you can! Bake it, cool it, wrap it up in aluminum foil and freeze the bread as a whole. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before slicing and serving. Freezes well for up to 3 months.
Looking for more easy apple recipes to make this fall?
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
- Apple Cake Recipe with Cinnamon Butter
- Covered German Apple Cake Recipe
- German Apple Streusel Sheet Cake
- Puff Pastry Walnut Apple Strudel
I hope you love this apple bread recipe as much as we do! Please, let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Watch how easy it is to make this recipe!
Tools used for making this cinnamon apple bread:
Loaf Pan:
I really like this loaf pan because it has a non-stick coating that really works and it is easy to clean.
Stand Mixer
: My most used kitchen appliance and it’s so pretty it can sit on the counter as decoration!
Cinnamon:
I go through so much cinnamon this time of the year so I bought this one to always have it on hand!
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Apple Cinnamon Bread
Ingredients
For the Bread:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, (190g)
- 1 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (115g)
- 1/2 cup granulated white sugar, (100g)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk, (120ml)
For the Apple Mixture:
- 1 large apple, peeled and chopped
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, (50g)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch nutmeg
For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
- 1 tbsp granulated white sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
- In a small bowl whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon together until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or using a hand mixer, cream butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time, until incorporated. Then add vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- With the mixer running on low, add about one-third of the flour mixture and mix until almost combined, then add half the milk and mix until just combined. Repeat with another third of flour mixture and then the last half of the milk, ending with the last third of the flour. Beat until just incorporated. Don't overmix!
- In a bowl combine chopped apple, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Spread half of the batter into the loaf pan, top with half of the apple mixture, followed by the remaining batter and the remaining apple mixture. Use a knife to swirl through the batter then combine sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle it on top.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean with only a few moist crumbs attached. Baking times vary so keep an eye on yours.
- Remove the bread from the oven and let cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Allow to cool completely before slicing.
- Cover and store leftover bread at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Nutrition Information
Mr. X says
Have been making this in double batches to keep up with family demand. Fun to make and you are right it does make the kitchen smell like the holiday season is kicking off. Thanks for the recipe! Holiday cheers from our house to yours.
Joyce says
Can this be made in mini loaf pans?
Julia Foerster says
I haven’t tried it myself so I’m not 100% sure but I don’t see why not. Let me know how it goes if you give it a try, Joyce!
Patty says
So yummy x2! Doubled recipe and gave one to my neighbor! Very moist and baked up fluffy. I used Fuji apples from my own tree so it gave it extra yumminess!
Kiki M says
I made this last week with some adjustments for food allergies in my home. I used flax eggs & Walmart’s brand of all-purpose GF flour. I usually use non-dairy milk, but the small amount being baked does not usually bother my children, so I just used their regular lactose free brand & I omitted the nutmeg. I did bake for a good 30 minutes longer. We are e-learning, so we enjoyed our first slice after lunch. All four kids wanted to finish off the whole loaf right then! I promised them another slice after dinner if everyone finished their school work & chores by dinner time. Talk about some MAJORLY SWEET MOTIVATION! That might have been the quietest afternoon so far! Lol.
My youngest daughter & I just put in another loaf for us & 2 smaller loaves (without any substitutions) for two families from church. The house smells great and tummies & taste buds alike anxiously await the oven’s timer bell!
Thank you for such a fantastic recipe that will definitely be a staple around here!
Tina says
hi! can i omit nutmeg?
Julia Foerster says
Yes, you can omit the nutmeg.
Lea says
I used non-sucrose sweetener, Xyla, in place of the granulated sugar & used only 1/3 cup Xyla. It turned out moist & light & yummy!
Bri says
This recipe for apple bread is honestly the best I have ever tried. Flavorful, soft and light, and truly perfect for fall.
Pv says
By far, this is the best Cinnamon apple recipes i have tried. Definitely a keeper! I like the light n fluffy texture n good balance of 😋
Saba says
Hey how is this recipe different from cinnamon swirl bread besides apples?
Sandi Bland says
The recipe was easy and delicious! I followed the exact recipe
Deanna says
Question: how best would you recommend I incorporate oats? Just on top? I into the batter? Or swirled with the apple mix? Thanks!
Mary says
wowza! I made this with gluten free flour (bob’s red mill), coconut milk (i’m gluten and dairy free), AND I was out of white sugar so used dark brown for sugar throughout the recipe. I wasn’t expecting much after so many substitutions, but this bread turned out fabulously and was loved by everyone. will be a staple for sure.
Velma Marshburn says
Made today. Since borderline diabetic, just used half cup dark brown sugar, and half cup white sugar, creamed with stick of butter.Don’t care for nuts, used 1 cup apple juice, 3 large Granny Smith apples, cinnamon, and freshly grated nutmeg. No topping, cooked for hour and a half, house still smells wonderful .Bread is delicious, moist, apple in every bite.Thanks so very much, needs 10 stars.
Deanna says
This recipe only called for 1/2 C white sugar creamed with butter (plus a tbsp for the top) and 1/4 C brown sugar mixed with the apples– did you add more sugar or is that a typo?
Georgie says
This was just delicious! I added a whole grated apple (with the water squeezed out) into the batter as well as having the chopped apple in the middle and on top, and it turned out great both times I made it. Definitely a go-to easy bread/cake.
Divorced Kat says
I doubled the recipe for 2 loaves. I tried cutting the butter in half with applesauce and swapped a third of the flour for whole wheat. The result is edible but a bit too dry. Definitely tasty recipe but maybe better off as dessert!
Julia says
All those changes you made to the original recipe will definitely change the texture and moisture of the bread!
Avesha says
This was AMAZING! I substituted cows milk with coconut milk and added some ginger with the nutmeg and the cinnamon and I used organic sugar vs. pure white sugar. Came out ridiculously amazing.
I feel like I could sell this bread :)
Thank you for this fantastic recipe.
Mary Vogelsang says
easy
Carlee says
This is an incredible recipe, especially for someone who is always on the go in the mornings. I make one loaf on every Sunday morning and take a slice with me to work every day throughout the week. It pairs great with coffee too. Not to mention, it makes my house smell HEAVENLY while it’s baking. 5 STARS ALL AROUND! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Brendan says
Easily made with the help of my 3 year old. Even with a brief glance at recipe and we had success. I used olive spread instead of butter as I didn’t have any. Raisins were also added. It was lovely and everyone really liked it. Give it a go!