Indulge in the heartwarming aroma and taste of autumn with this incredibly moist and flavorful Cinnamon Spiced Apple Bread Recipe. This easy-to-make quick bread is the epitome of comfort food, perfect for welcoming the crisp days of fall. Whether you’re seeking a delightful treat for tea time, a satisfying snack, or a comforting breakfast, this apple loaf is sure to become a beloved staple in your home.
Crafted with tender, diced fresh apples and infused with a harmonious blend of warm spices, a hint of vanilla, and rich brown sugar, this homemade apple bread transcends expectations. Its deep, comforting flavors and wonderfully tender crumb make it an outstanding choice for any occasion.
Why This Cinnamon Spiced Apple Bread Will Become Your Fall Favorite
There are countless reasons why this particular apple bread recipe stands out and deserves a spot in your baking repertoire this season. It’s not just a recipe; it’s an experience!
- Effortless Quick Bread Perfection: Unlike traditional yeast breads that demand extensive proofing times, quick breads like this one are designed for ease and speed. They are smaller than elaborate cakes but deliver equally satisfying slices of sweet, spiced deliciousness that can grace your breakfast table or serve as a decadent dessert.
- The Quintessential Autumn Treat: As leaves change color and the air grows crisp, there’s nothing quite like the comforting scent of apples and cinnamon baking. This apple loaf captures the very essence of autumn, making it the perfect seasonal indulgence.
- A Cake-Like Indulgence Disguised as Bread: Don’t let the “bread” in its name fool you. While it boasts the hearty texture of a quick bread, its inherent sweetness and incredibly moist, dense crumb often lead people to mistake it for a delightful cake. It’s the best of both worlds!
The proof of its appeal is in the empty plate! After sharing a few slices with friends, I returned home to find only crumbs remaining. The secret to its balanced flavor and texture lies in the careful selection of apples: a combination of tart Granny Smith and sweet Golden Delicious apples. This pairing of contrasting flavors and textures—firm and soft—always yields the most spectacular results in this cinnamon apple bread recipe.
Rave Reviews: What Others Are Saying About This Apple Bread
Don’t just take our word for it! Here’s a testament from a happy baker, shared on Pinterest, highlighting the simplicity and deliciousness of this recipe:
From Pinterest: “This was so quick and easy to throw together! I had been craving a quick, sweet bread for some time now, so I was pleased when I stumbled upon this recipe and had all the required ingredients! This is so sweet and moist; the perfect flavor for a breakfast bread but could even pass as dessert. Yum!”
These glowing reviews confirm that this Cinnamon Spiced Apple Bread is a crowd-pleaser, delivering on its promise of an easy, sweet, and wonderfully moist baking experience.
Baking Success: Expert Tips for Your Cinnamon Spiced Apple Bread
Having baked countless quick breads over the years, I’ve gathered invaluable insights to ensure your apple bread turns out perfectly every time. Follow these expert tips for a consistently delicious loaf:
- The Art of Mixing (or Not): Once you introduce the dry ingredients—especially the leavening agents like baking soda or baking powder—resist the urge to overmix. Stir just until the ingredients are barely combined. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to a tough, chewy loaf often characterized by undesirable “tunnels” within the bread. This principle applies equally when baking muffins, where a light hand is always best.
- The Perfect Apple Combination: For the most balanced flavor and delightful texture in your cinnamon apple bread, use a blend of apples. As mentioned, one tart Granny Smith and one sweet Golden Delicious apple create an ideal pairing. The Granny Smith offers a lovely tang that cuts through the sweetness, while its firm texture holds up well during baking. The Golden Delicious provides natural sweetness and a slightly softer bite, contributing to the overall moistness.
- The Toothpick Test is Your Best Friend: Ovens can vary significantly, so relying solely on the prescribed baking time might not always yield accurate results. Begin checking your apple bread about 15 minutes before the stated end time. Insert a clean toothpick into the very center of the loaf. If it comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached, or completely clean, your bread is done. If it comes out wet with batter, continue baking in 5-10 minute increments until it passes the test.
- Prevent Over-Browning: If you notice your loaf is browning too quickly on top before it’s fully cooked through, simply create a loose “tent” of aluminum foil and place it over the bread for the remainder of the baking time. This will shield the top from direct heat while allowing the interior to finish baking evenly.
- Check Your Leavening Agents: Baking powder, while essential for a light and airy quick bread, has a shorter shelf life than baking soda. It’s not always used as frequently, so make sure to check its expiration date. Using expired baking powder can result in a flat, overly dense, and disappointing loaf. Fresh leaveners are key to a perfectly risen bread.
- Effortless Loaf Release: To guarantee your beautiful apple bread slides out of the pan with ease, always grease your loaf pan thoroughly. For an extra layer of protection, especially for quick breads, line the bottom of the pan with a rectangle of parchment paper after greasing. Don’t forget to grease the top of the parchment paper as well. This double-layer ensures no sticking.
- Greasing Made Easy: I often use a non-stick spray like Bakers Joy, which conveniently combines oil and flour in one can. If you only have a regular oil spray, that works perfectly fine too – just ensure generous coverage.
- Patience for Peak Flavor: While it’s tempting to slice into your warm apple bread immediately, quick breads often develop an even richer flavor and a more consistent texture if allowed to rest. Once your loaf has cooled completely to room temperature, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight. The flavors will meld and deepen. However, if you simply can’t wait, go ahead and dive right in – it’s delicious either way!
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Bread
For the most dynamic flavor and appealing texture, it’s highly recommended to combine both a sweet and a tart apple variety. Additionally, varying the texture with one firm and one softer apple works wonders. The classic and highly effective combination of Granny Smith (tart and firm) and Golden Delicious (sweet and softer) apples is often ideal for this cinnamon spiced apple bread, as they hold their shape beautifully while contributing distinct flavors.
The most reliable method is the “toothpick test.” Insert a clean wooden toothpick or a thin skewer into several spots across the top and into the center of the loaf. If the toothpick comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs attached, the bread is done. If it comes out wet with raw batter, return the bread to the oven for another 5-10 minutes before rechecking. A crack forming across the surface of the loaf is often a good visual indicator and an excellent spot to perform the toothpick test.
Once your apple bread has completely cooled to room temperature, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Stored this way, it will remain fresh and moist at room temperature for 3-4 days. For longer storage, especially if you haven’t devoured it by day 5, freezing is an excellent option.
Absolutely! Apple bread freezes exceptionally well. For best results, ensure the loaf is completely cool before wrapping it tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. This prevents freezer burn. Stored properly, it will maintain its quality for up to 3 months in the freezer. To enjoy, simply defrost it overnight in the refrigerator, then bring it to room temperature before serving. You can even warm individual slices slightly in a toaster oven for that fresh-baked feel.
Yes, nuts make a wonderful addition to cinnamon spiced apple bread! Toasted chopped walnuts or pecans would complement the apple and cinnamon flavors beautifully. Simply fold about 1/2 to 1 cup of your chosen nuts into the batter along with the apples. Toasting the nuts beforehand enhances their flavor and adds a delightful crunch.
While delicious on its own, you can elevate this apple bread further. Consider adding a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and a touch of milk or apple cider. A cream cheese frosting would also be decadent. For an extra spice kick, a pinch of nutmeg or allspice can be added to the dry ingredients. You could also sprinkle some streusel topping over the batter before baking for added texture and sweetness.
More Delightful Apple Recipes and Quick Breads
This versatile cinnamon-spiced apple bread is a culinary chameleon, perfect for countless moments throughout the day – from a hearty breakfast to a comforting evening snack, or even a late-night treat. If you’ve fallen in love with this recipe, explore these other fantastic apple creations and quick bread favorites:
- Crispy Apple Rings from Diethood for a unique apple snack.
- Indulge in a classic Deep Dish Apple Pie, bursting with apple goodness.
- Discover a collection of our Favorite Apple Recipes, curated for every apple enthusiast.
- For another take on a classic, try our Brown Sugar Apple Bread Recipe.
- Satisfy your sweet tooth with these delightful Cinnamon Apple Brownies.
- And for a different kind of quick bread, this Zucchini Bread Recipe is a perennial fan favorite!
- Explore more of the Best Bread Recipes for every craving and season.
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Cinnamon Spiced Apple Bread Recipe
20 minutes
1 hour 30 minutes
1 hour 50 minutes
1 loaf
A moist, delectable cinnamon-topped apple bread!
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups apples, peeled, cored, and diced (preferably one Granny Smith and one Golden Delicious)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Cinnamon sugar for topping the loaf (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC).
- Thoroughly grease a large loaf pan. For easy removal, place a rectangle of parchment paper on the bottom of the pan and grease the top of the parchment paper as well. Set the prepared pan aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until the mixture is well blended and smooth. Gently stir in the diced apples.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and ground cinnamon until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the apple batter, mixing only until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the batter will be thick.
- Scrape the thick batter evenly into your prepared loaf pan. If desired, sprinkle a generous amount of cinnamon sugar over the top of the batter before baking.
- Bake for approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean or with only moist crumbs.
- After about an hour of baking, check the loaf. If it begins to brown too quickly on the top, loosely tent it with aluminum foil for the remainder of the baking time to prevent over-browning.
- Once baked, let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, carefully remove it from the pan and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Remove the parchment paper if it has adhered to the bread.
- When the apple bread is fully cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to store. It may also be frozen for up to 3 months (see FAQ for freezing tips).
Notes
My loaf pan typically measures 9 x 5 inches. If your loaf pan is a different size, you may need to adjust your baking times accordingly. A smaller pan might require a slightly longer bake, while a larger one could bake faster.
Recommended Products
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- Nesting Mixing Bowls
- OXO Good Grips 11-Inch Better Balloon Whisk
- Stainless Steel Loaf Pan
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12
Serving Size:
1 slice
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 329Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 232mgCarbohydrates: 58gFiber: 3gSugar: 39gProtein: 3g
Thatskinnychickcanbake.com occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although thatskinnychickcanbake.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe. Also, many recipes on thatskinnychickcanbake.com recommend toppings, which may or may not be listed as optional and nutritional information for these added toppings is not listed. Other factors may change the nutritional information such as when the salt amount is listed “to taste,” it is not calculated into the recipe as the amount will vary. Also, different online calculators can provide different results. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information obtained is accurate.
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