Cinnamon Apple Bread

Few baked goods capture the feeling of warmth, comfort, and nostalgia quite like Cinnamon Apple Bread. With its tender crumb, rich buttery base, and sweet cinnamon-apple swirl running through every slice, this loaf is the kind of recipe that feels instantly familiar—yet special every time you make it.

This Cinnamon Apple Bread is soft, moist, and deeply comforting, with chunks of fresh apple folded into a cinnamon-sugar mixture that melts beautifully into the batter as it bakes. A light cinnamon glaze drizzled over the top adds just the right amount of sweetness and warmth without overpowering the natural apple flavor. Whether served warm from the oven or enjoyed the next day, this bread delivers bakery-style results with simple pantry ingredients.

Perfect for breakfast, dessert, brunch spreads, or cozy afternoon coffee breaks, this loaf is a go-to recipe for fall baking—but it’s just as welcome any time of year. It’s easy enough for beginner bakers, yet impressive enough to serve guests, making it a true staple recipe you’ll come back to again and again.

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Why Cinnamon Apple Bread Is a Must-Bake Recipe

Cinnamon apple bread has earned its place as a classic for good reason. Apples and cinnamon are a timeless pairing, offering a balance of sweetness, warmth, and natural fruitiness that works beautifully in baked goods. When folded into a soft, buttery quick bread, those flavors shine even more.

Here’s why this Cinnamon Apple Bread deserves a spot in your regular baking rotation:

• Incredibly moist texture thanks to butter, eggs, and milk

• Rich cinnamon flavor layered throughout the loaf

• Real apple pieces for natural sweetness and texture

• Simple ingredients you likely already have on hand

• No yeast required, making it quick and beginner-friendly

• Freezer-friendly and great for make-ahead baking

Unlike yeast breads, quick breads like this one rely on baking powder for lift, which means no waiting for dough to rise. You can go from mixing bowl to oven in minutes, and still end up with a bakery-quality loaf.

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Cinnamon Apple Bread: Recipe Details

Servings: 10 slices
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

This loaf is designed to fit a standard 8½ x 4½-inch loaf pan, producing thick, satisfying slices that hold together beautifully.

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Ingredients Breakdown

Understanding each ingredient helps ensure consistent results and gives you confidence to customize the recipe if needed.

Bread Batter

• All-purpose flour – Provides structure while keeping the crumb soft

• Baking powder – Gives the bread lift without yeast

• Salt – Balances sweetness and enhances flavor

• Unsalted butter – Adds richness and moisture

• Granulated sugar – Sweetens the batter without overpowering the apples

• Vanilla extract – Enhances the warm flavors

• Eggs – Bind the batter and add tenderness

• Milk – Keeps the crumb soft and moist

Apple Cinnamon Swirl

• Light brown sugar – Adds caramel-like depth

• Ground cinnamon – The star spice of the recipe

• Fresh apple – Provides moisture, texture, and natural sweetness

Topping

• Brown sugar & cinnamon – Creates a lightly crisp, sweet crust

Glaze

• Confectioners’ sugar – Smooth and sweet without graininess

• Cinnamon – Reinforces the warm spice notes

• Water – Creates a pourable glaze consistency

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Choosing the Best Apples for Cinnamon Apple Bread

One of the most common questions when making Cinnamon Apple Bread is which apple variety works best. The good news? This recipe is forgiving and works with many types.

Best Apple Options

• Honeycrisp – Sweet with a slight tartness; holds shape well

• Gala – Mildly sweet and soft when baked

• Fuji – Juicy and naturally sweet

• Granny Smith – Tart and firm, great for balancing sweetness

For the best flavor balance, many bakers like to mix one sweet apple with one slightly tart apple. Regardless of the variety you choose, be sure to dice the apples finely so they bake evenly and don’t sink to the bottom of the loaf.

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Step-by-Step Instructions (Expanded)

1. Prepare the Pan and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8½ x 4½-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution and prevents clumps in the batter.

3. Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla on medium-high speed for 3–4 minutes until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, which helps create a tender crumb.

4. Add Eggs

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. This allows the batter to emulsify properly.

5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

With the mixer on low speed, add half of the flour mixture, then half of the milk. Repeat with the remaining flour and milk. Mix just until combined—overmixing can lead to dense bread.

6. Prepare the Apple Cinnamon Swirl

In a separate bowl, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped apples until evenly coated.

7. Assemble the Bread

Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan. Spoon half of the apple mixture over the batter and gently swirl with a knife. Add the remaining batter and apple mixture, swirling lightly again.

8. Add the Topping

Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar topping evenly over the loaf.

9. Bake

Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs.

10. Cool and Glaze

Cool in the pan for 15–20 minutes, then remove. Whisk the glaze ingredients and drizzle over the cooled loaf.

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Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Apple Bread Every Time

• Cut apples into small, even pieces

• Avoid over-swirling to keep a defined cinnamon layer

• Use room-temperature butter and eggs

• Check doneness at 45 minutes to prevent overbaking

• Let the bread cool fully before slicing for clean cuts

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Variations and Customizations

This Cinnamon Apple Bread recipe is wonderfully adaptable:

Add-Ins

• Chopped walnuts or pecans

• Raisins or dried cranberries

• White chocolate chips

Flavor Twists

• Add nutmeg or allspice

• Swap glaze for a vanilla drizzle

• Use maple syrup in the glaze

Healthier Options

• Replace half the flour with whole wheat flour

• Reduce sugar slightly for a less sweet loaf

• Use unsweetened almond milk instead of dairy milk

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Storage & Make-Ahead Instructions

• Room temperature: 2–3 days, tightly wrapped

• Refrigerator: Up to 5 days

• Freezer: Up to 2 months (unglazed)

Slice before freezing for easy grab-and-go portions.

Print

Estimated Nutrition (Per Slice)

• Calories: ~260

• Carbohydrates: 38g

• Sugar: 22g

• Fat: 11g

• Protein: 4g

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Final Thoughts

Cinnamon Apple Bread is more than just a quick bread—it’s a comforting classic that brings together simple ingredients and timeless flavors in the most satisfying way. From the moment it starts baking, your kitchen fills with the unmistakable aroma of cinnamon and apples, setting the tone for a cozy, homemade experience that feels both nostalgic and indulgent.

What makes this Cinnamon Apple Bread truly special is its versatility. It’s the kind of recipe that works just as beautifully for a slow weekend breakfast as it does for a dessert table, afternoon snack, or thoughtful homemade gift. The tender crumb, balanced sweetness, and rich cinnamon-apple swirl ensure that every slice feels intentional and indulgent without being overly heavy.