Few things make your kitchen smell as magical as freshly baked apple cinnamon bread. With its soft, moist texture and cozy autumn aroma, this bread is a crowd-pleaser you’ll want to bake again and again. Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a holiday treat — and it’s surprisingly simple to make!
Gather Your Ingredients
Before diving into the baking, let’s make sure you’ve got everything ready. You’ll only need a handful of pantry staples plus some fresh apples.
You’ll need:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg (optional, for warmth)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup milk (or buttermilk for extra tenderness)
- 2 medium apples (peeled, cored, and diced)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Tip: Use sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji for the perfect flavor balance.
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together your dry ingredients in a medium bowl. This ensures an even distribution of the baking powder, soda, and spices.
- Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Set aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.
Pro Tip: Sift the flour if you want your bread to have a lighter, fluffier texture.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a separate large mixing bowl:
- Beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add in the eggs, one at a time, and mix well.
- Stir in the vanilla extract for that lovely aroma.
This step is key — creaming helps create air pockets in the batter, making your bread soft and tender.
Step 3: Combine and Add the Apples
Now it’s time to bring everything together:
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk into the butter mixture, mixing just until combined.
- Fold in your chopped apples with a spatula.
Don’t overmix — you want those apple chunks to stay visible and juicy in every slice!
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a standard loaf pan. Pour in your batter, smoothing the top with a spoon.
Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
If the top starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover it with foil halfway through.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Once baked, let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Slice once it’s cooled slightly — the aroma will be irresistible!
Serve it:
- Warm with butter or honey drizzle
- Toasted with cream cheese
- Or simply as-is with a cup of tea or coffee
Tips for the Best Apple Cinnamon Bread
- Add a cinnamon sugar swirl: Layer half the batter, sprinkle cinnamon sugar, then add the rest.
- Top with streusel crumble: Mix butter, brown sugar, and flour for a bakery-style crust.
- Store right: Wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Bonus: This bread tastes even better the next day when the flavors have deepened!
Final Thoughts
Baking apple cinnamon bread is more than just making dessert — it’s creating comfort in your kitchen. Every bite brings warmth, nostalgia, and the sweet scent of homemade goodness.
So go ahead, preheat that oven, and treat yourself (and your loved ones) to this cozy classic. 🍎✨
Save this recipe for later — your future self will thank you!
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