Oh, friends, let me tell you about this Cinnamon Apple Bread! The *smell* alone… it just screams autumn, doesn’t it? Seriously, the moment it hits the oven, my whole house is filled with this warm, cozy scent. And the taste? Wow. That moist crumb combined with the sweet, tender apples? It’s just… *chef’s kiss*!
I actually started making this Cinnamon Apple Bread years ago, trying to recreate a memory from my childhood. My grandma used to bake something similar every fall, and this recipe? It’s pretty darn close. It’s got that perfect balance of cinnamon-y spice and apple sweetness that just makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Trust me, you’re gonna love it!
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Apple Bread
Okay, so why *this* Cinnamon Apple Bread? Let me tell ya:
- Super easy to make – even I can’t mess it up!
- The flavor? Seriously delicious. It’s all about the cinnamon and sweet apples.
- It’s SO moist! No dry bread here, promise.
- Perfect for fall, duh! Think cozy sweaters and pumpkin spice lattes.
- Crowd-pleaser alert! Everyone always asks for seconds.
Ingredients for Your Cinnamon Apple Bread
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this amazing Cinnamon Apple Bread:
- 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour – the regular kind!
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder – for that perfect rise.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt – just a pinch!
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (that’s 1 stick) – gotta be soft!
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar – for sweetness!
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract – don’t skimp on the good stuff!
- 2 large eggs – gotta be large!
- 1/2 cup milk – any kind works.
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed – really press it in there!
- 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon – the star of the show.
- 1 large apple, peeled, cored, and chopped into small pieces – I like Honeycrisp!
For the Topping:
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Glaze:
- 3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons water
How to Make Cinnamon Apple Bread: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, friend, ready to bake? Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think! Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a perfect Cinnamon Apple Bread in no time. I promise!
Preparing the Cinnamon Apple Bread Batter
First things first, let’s get that batter ready! In a bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. Just set that aside for now. Then, in a bigger bowl, cream together your softened butter, sugar, and vanilla. You’ll want to beat it until it’s nice and smooth – about 3-4 minutes. Then, beat in your eggs, one at a time. Now, slowly add in your dry ingredients and milk, alternating between the two, until *just* combined. Don’t overmix!
Assembling the Cinnamon Apple Bread
Alright, this is where the magic happens! Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, by the way! Now, grease and flour an 8.5 x 4.5 inch loaf pan. Pour half of your batter into the pan. Then, mix your chopped apples with brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle half of this mixture over the batter. Now, take a knife or skewer and gently swirl it through – not too much, just a little! Pour the remaining batter over the apples, then top with the rest of the apple mixture and swirl again!
Baking Your Perfect Cinnamon Apple Bread
Into the oven it goes! Bake for about 45-55 minutes. How do you know it’s done? Stick a cake tester or toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, you’re good to go! A few moist crumbs are okay, thanks to the apples. If it’s still wet, give it a few more minutes. Careful not to burn it, though!
Cooling and Glazing Your Cinnamon Apple Bread
Take your beautiful Cinnamon Apple Bread out of the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 15-20 minutes. While it’s cooling, whisk together your powdered sugar, cinnamon, and water for the glaze. Once the bread has cooled a bit, remove it from the pan and place it on a cooling rack. Then, drizzle that yummy glaze all over the top! Let it cool completely before slicing – I know it’s hard, but trust me, it’s worth it!
Tips for the Best Cinnamon Apple Bread
Want to make *amazing* Cinnamon Apple Bread? Here are my top tips:
- Make sure your butter is *really* soft. It makes a huge difference!
- Adjust the cinnamon to your liking. I like a lot, but you do you!
- Let it cool *completely* before slicing. I know it’s tempting, but it’ll slice so much cleaner!
- Don’t overmix the batter! A few lumps are fine.
Cinnamon Apple Bread Variations
Okay, so you’ve made the basic Cinnamon Apple Bread – awesome! Now, wanna get a little fancy? Here are a few ways to mix it up:
- Spice it up! Add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the batter for an even warmer flavor.
- Try different apples! Granny Smith adds a nice tartness, or go wild with a mix!
- Nuts! Throw in some chopped walnuts or pecans for a little crunch. Toasted, of course!
Serving Suggestions for Your Cinnamon Apple Bread
Okay, so you’ve got this gorgeous Cinnamon Apple Bread…now what? Well, let me tell you, it’s pretty amazing all on its own. But, if you wanna take it to the *next level*, here are a few ideas:
- A warm cup of coffee or tea. Seriously, the perfect pairing!
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream. Trust me on this one. It’s like apple pie a la mode, but better!
- Just a little pat of butter. Simple, but oh-so-good.
Storing and Reheating Cinnamon Apple Bread
So, you have leftover Cinnamon Apple Bread? Lucky you! To keep it nice and moist, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or pop it in an airtight container. It’ll stay good for about 2-3 days at room temperature. Wanna warm it up? A quick zap in the microwave works, or you can toast a slice. My favorite part is that it tastes amazing even a couple of days later!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cinnamon Apple Bread
Got questions about this Cinnamon Apple Bread? Don’t worry, I’ve got answers! Here are a few of the most common things folks ask me:
Q: Can I make this Cinnamon Apple Bread gluten-free?
A: You know, I haven’t tried it myself, but I bet you could! Just swap out the regular flour for a good quality gluten-free blend. Keep an eye on the baking time, though, as gluten-free breads sometimes bake a little differently. Let me know how it goes!
Q: Can I freeze this Cinnamon Apple Bread?
A: Absolutely! Just let it cool completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap (or foil), and pop it in the freezer. It’ll keep for a couple of months. When you’re ready to eat it, just thaw it out at room temperature. You might want to give it a quick warm-up in the oven to get that fresh-baked taste again.
Q: What can I use if I don’t have apples?
A: Hmmm, good question! Pears would probably work great. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, try some chopped peaches or even cranberries! Just adjust the spices to match the fruit. And hey, tell me about it if you try anything wild!
Q: Can I use margarine instead of butter?
A: Okay, here’s the thing: I’m a butter gal through and through! But, if you *really* need to, you can use margarine. Just know that it might change the texture and flavor a bit. Real butter just gives it that richness that’s hard to beat, you know?
Nutritional Information for Cinnamon Apple Bread
Okay, just a heads-up: I’m no nutritionist! So, any nutritional info is just an estimate. It’ll totally depend on the brands and ingredients you use, okay?
Enjoy Your Homemade Cinnamon Apple Bread
Alright, friends, go bake some Cinnamon Apple Bread and then come back and tell me what you think! Leave a comment, rate the recipe, or share it on social media! I wanna see your creations!
Print
Cinnamon Apple Bread: Grandma’s Unforgettable Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy this delicious Cinnamon Apple Bread. It features a moist crumb, sweet apple filling, and a cinnamon sugar topping.
Ingredients
- 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
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1–1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 large apple, peeled, cored, and chopped into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour an 8.5 x 4.5 inch loaf pan.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- 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.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until incorporated.
- 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.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, ground cinnamon and apples. Set aside.
- To make the topping, in a small bowl combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Notes
- Use softened butter for best results.
- Adjust cinnamon to your taste.
- Cool completely before slicing for cleaner cuts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
