Cinnamon Apple Bread (Print Version)

Moist quick bread loaded with fresh apples and warm cinnamon, topped with a sweet sugar swirl.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
04 - ½ teaspoon salt
05 - 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

→ Wet Ingredients

06 - ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - ¾ cup granulated sugar
08 - ¼ cup brown sugar
09 - 2 large eggs
10 - ½ cup milk
11 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Apples

12 - 2 cups peeled, diced apples (about 2 medium, Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)

→ Cinnamon Sugar Swirl

13 - 2 tablespoons sugar
14 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl until well combined.
03 - Whisk melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl until smooth. Beat in eggs, then stir in milk and vanilla extract.
04 - Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
05 - Gently fold in the diced apples until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
06 - Mix the sugar and cinnamon for the swirl in a small bowl until combined.
07 - Pour half the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle with half the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Add remaining batter and top with remaining cinnamon-sugar. Swirl with a knife to create a marbled effect.
08 - Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
09 - Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cinnamon sugar ribbon running through the center creates those bakery-worthy swirls that make every slice different from the last
  • It stays incredibly moist for days, actually getting better as the flavors meld together
  • Simple enough for a weekday morning but impressive enough to serve to guests who think you spent hours on it
02 -
  • Overmixing the batter once flour is added makes the bread tough, so fold until just combined and walk away
  • The swirl might sink to the bottom if your cinnamon sugar layer is too thick, so use a light hand when sprinkling
  • If the top browns too quickly, tent it with foil after 40 minutes but keep baking until the center tests done
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients prevent the melted butter from seizing when it hits cold eggs
  • Letting the bread cool completely before slicing is torturous but prevents it from crumbling apart

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