This cozy apple cinnamon bread is a great way to use up some apples this fall! Apple baked goods are some of my favorites. The way the apples get all soft, sweet, and caramelized is heavenly! This recipe comes together nice and quickly and is such a winner! The apples hidden in the middle with the cinnamon sugar and then topped with more is the best. Hope you enjoy!
What you need to make this cozy apple cinnamon bread + substitutions:
- Apples– We went apple picking and used jonagolds because that’s what they had at the orchard. You can also use varieties like honeycrisp, braeburn, fuji, gala, granny smith or a mix!
- Unsalted butter- You can use salted as well but I always go for unsalted in baking. If you use salted, you can still follow the recipe the same.
- Granulated sugar- A classic in any recipe. You can use white sugar, cane sugar, whatever you prefer. I haven’t tested coconut sugar.
- Eggs- The egg helps to bind the recipe and really helps give it taste and texture. I don’t know if flax eggs would work as an alternative.
- Vanilla extract- No baked good recipe is complete without vanilla extract in my opinion. It’s key!
- All-purpose flour- For the mixture with the apples, I used flour. You can always substitute with cornstarch but I’d check the measurements for that option. For the actual topping, I also used all-purpose flour. You could substitute with gluten-free 1:1 all-purpose flour. Almond flour and coconut flour won’t work.
- Baking powder- The baking powder helps the topping to rise and be nice and fluffy.
- Cinnamon- Cinnamon adds the perfect sweetness & spice!
- Nutmeg- A little goes a long way, another great spice addition.
- Ground ginger- This is optional but it does definitely really add to the spice and apple pie flavor.
- Sea salt- Salt is key in a baked good, because it really helps to bring out the flavor!
- Whole milk- Whole milk adds a sweetness and helps the topping of the apple cinnamon bread to be nice and fluffy as well. I love to use my local raw milk for everything these days, I get mine from Creambrook Farm!
If you love these, you may also love:
- The Easiest Apple Cobbler
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
- Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Alright, let’s get to making the recipe! Enjoy friends!
Cozy Apple Cinnamon Bread
This cozy apple cinnamon bread is a great way to use up some apples this fall! Apple baked goods are some of my favorites. The way the apples get all soft, sweet, and caramelized is heavenly! This recipe comes together nice and quickly and is such a winner! The apples hidden in the middle with the cinnamon sugar and then topped with more is the best. Hope you enjoy!
Servings 8
Equipment
- 9×5 baking pan
Ingredients
For the Bread:
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour spooned & leveled
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground ginger optional but highly suggested!
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ cup milk
- 3 cups apples chopped
For the Filling/Topping:
- ¼ cup brown sugar light or dark
- 2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350F degrees.
- In a medium mixing bowl, cream together the butter and cane sugar with a hand mixer. Add in the eggs and vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Next, add in the flour, baking powder, sea salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix until everything until combined. Pour in the milk and give another good mix!
- In a small separate bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon
- Grease a 9×5 loaf pan with butter or spray with oil. Pour half of the batter mixture into the pan. Layer half the chopped apples on top of the batter. Pour on half of the cinnamon sugar mixture. Repeat. Batter, chopped apples, cinnamon sugar. Or you can just mix the apples throughout the entire batter in the mixing bowl, but I prefer it layered.
- Bake for 50 minutes and then check the bread. You may need to lightly lay a piece of foil over the top so the bread doesn't brown too much. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean in the center. Mine took about 1 hour and 5 minutes, but I'd check it a little before that again! Don't over bake it or it'll dry out! Let cool, slice, and enjoy!
- To make dairy-free: replace the butter with EarthBalance butter and replace the milk with soy milk (the best alternative in my opinion) or any other dairy-free butter. Follow everything else the same!
Notes
For Storing: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. Pieces also freeze great. Individually wrap each piece in plastic wrap and then store in a freezer bag. To thaw, place in the fridge or the counter and feel free to warm it back up! You can also bake, cool completely, and freeze an entire loaf if needed!