Apple Cinnamon Bread – Easy Homemade Recipe
This Apple Cinnamon Bread is soft, moist, and loaded with tender pieces of fresh apples, warm cinnamon, and sweet brown sugar, with cinnamon sugar layered throughout and a simple glaze drizzled over the top. Every bite is filled with cozy fall flavors, tender apple pieces, and a deliciously sweet, comforting finish.
If you enjoy homemade quick breads, you might also like my Moist Banana Bread, Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Bread, and Fresh Strawberry Bread.
Quick Look: Apple Cinnamon Bread
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Baking Time: 55-65 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Calories: 360 per serving
- Flavor Profile: warm, cinnamon-spiced, with tender apples and a light vanilla glaze.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Why this Works: Moist, flavorful and packed with fresh apples.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
There's something about apples and cinnamon together that makes a homemade loaf feel extra special. The apples become soft and tender as the bread bakes, while the cinnamon and brown sugar add just the right amount of sweetness.
- Soft and moist - The bread has a tender crumb without being heavy.
- Lots of apples - You get pieces of sweet, tender apple in every bite.
- Cinnamon sugar throughout - Brown sugar and cinnamon add little pockets of sweetness throughout the loaf.
- Easy to make - This is a simple quick bread, so there's no yeast and no waiting for the dough to rise.
- Great with coffee - A slice is especially good slightly warm with a cup of coffee or tea.
Key Ingredients
Apples - I used Granny Smith apples in this bread, just like I do in my French Apple Cake. Their slightly tart flavor pairs beautifully with the sweet brown sugar and cinnamon, but you can use another apple variety if you prefer.
Brown sugar - Brown sugar adds sweetness and a slightly caramel-like flavor. Combined with cinnamon, it gives the bread those delicious sweet layers.
Eggs - Eggs help hold everything together and give the bread a soft, tender texture.
All-purpose flour - The base of the batter. Be careful not to pack the flour into the measuring cup, as too much flour can make the bread dry.
Cinnamon - Cinnamon adds a sweet, aromatic warmth to this bread and enhances the flavors of the apples and brown sugar. If you love the rich cinnamon and brown sugar combination, you may also enjoy my Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups.
How to Make the Perfect Apple Cinnamon Bread
Step 1. Make the Cinnamon Sugar
In a small bowl, combine the light brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir until well combined and set aside. This cinnamon sugar will be used to layer throughout the bread.
Step 2. Prepare the Apples
Peel and cut the apples into ½-inch cubes. Place them in a bowl and toss with the sugar and cinnamon until evenly coated. Set aside.
3. Make the Batter
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until light and creamy.Add the eggs and vanilla extract and beat until well combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated. Slowly pour in the milk and mix until the batter is smooth and just combined.
4. Layer the Bread
Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. Spread half of the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with half of the prepared apples and half of the cinnamon sugar. Add the remaining batter and spread it evenly over the apples. Top with the remaining apples and cinnamon sugar.
5. Bake
Bake at 350°F for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
6. Add the Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread before slicing and serving.
Expert Tips
Use the right apples.
Choose firm varieties such as Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady. They soften nicely during baking while keeping enough texture to prevent the bread from becoming overly wet.
Don't overmix the batter.
Once you add the flour, stir just until you no longer see dry streaks. A few small lumps are fine. Overmixing can make the bread dense instead of soft and tender. You can see the same tip in action in my Cinnamon Roll Muffins.
Don't skip the cinnamon sugar layers.
They add extra cinnamon flavor and little sweet spots throughout the loaf, so try to distribute them evenly.
Check the center for doneness.
Insert a toothpick into the center of the bread, avoiding the apple pieces. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If the toothpick hits an apple piece, test another spot.
Wait before adding the glaze.
Make sure the bread has cooled completely before adding the glaze. If the bread is still warm, the glaze can melt and slide right off. For a similar tip, check out my Apple Crumb Cake.
Cool before slicing.
I know it's tempting to cut into it right away, but giving the bread time to cool makes it easier to slice and allows the texture to set properly.
Storage
Store leftover apple cinnamon bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate it for up to 5 days, although it's best served at room temperature or slightly warmed.
Freezing
For the best results, freeze the bread without the glaze. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature, then add the glaze once the bread has completely thawed.
Easy Apple Cinnamon Bread FAQs
Absolutely! Granny Smith will give the bread a slightly tart flavor, while Gala and Golden Delicious will make it sweeter. You can also use Honeycrisp or another firm baking apple you enjoy.
The biggest things are not overmixing the batter and not overbaking the bread. Take it out of the oven as soon as a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Yes. Once the bread has completely cooled, cover it well and keep it at room temperature for 2-3 days. If you refrigerate it, let it come back to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Usually, it comes down to overmixing the batter or adding too much flour. Once the dry ingredients go in, mix only until everything is combined, and measure the flour carefully.
If you love the combination of apples and cinnamon, you may also want to try my Apple Cinnamon Roll Cake, Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake, and Cinnamon Sugar Apple Muffins.
More Apple Desserts You'll Love
Love the sweet apple and cinnamon combination? Keep the baking going with more of our favorite apple desserts, from simple cakes to cozy treats the whole family will enjoy.
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Apple Cinnamon Bread - Easy Homemade Recipe
Ingredients
Cinnamon Sugr
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Apples
- 1 ½ cup apples peeled and diced
- 2 ½ tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Batter
- 1 ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 ½ tbsp brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Glaze
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- Make the cinnamon sugar. In a small bowl, combine the light brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir until well combined and set aside. This cinnamon sugar will be sprinkled over the apples as you layer the bread.
- Prepare the apples. Peel and dice the apples into ½-inch cubes. Place them in a bowl and toss with the light brown sugar and cinnamon until evenly coated. Set aside.
- Make the batter. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until light and creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated. Slowly add the milk and mix just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Layer the bread. Spread half of the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the apples over the batter, followed by half of the cinnamon sugar. Add the remaining batter and spread gently into an even layer. Top with the remaining apples and cinnamon sugar.
- Bake. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Add the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the completely cooled bread before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Don't overmix: Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined once the flour is added. Overmixing can result in a denser loaf.
- Check the center: Because the bread contains apple pieces, make sure to test the center with a toothpick in a spot without an apple piece. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool before glazing: Make sure the bread is completely cool before adding the glaze so it stays on top instead of melting into the bread.
- For freezing: Freeze the bread without the glaze for the best results. Add the glaze after the bread has thawed completely.
