Easy Apple Cinnamon Loaf Recipe
This easy apple cinnamon bread is soft, moist, and layered with sweet cinnamon apples in every bite. Perfect for fall baking, breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon coffee treat, this homemade apple loaf is filled with cozy warm flavors and simple pantry ingredients that make it a family favorite all season long and if you like this fall recipe, try these Apple Cinnamon Muffins next!
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Loaf
Start by preheating your oven so it’s fully heated and ready once the batter is prepared. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt until fully combined. This dry mixture helps create a soft, tender loaf with just the right amount of structure and spice. Set the bowl aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar on medium speed scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. This step helps create a light, fluffy texture while incorporating air into the batter. Once the butter mixture is pale and creamy, add the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Continue to beat on medium speed for another minute until everything is fully combined and smooth.
With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing, as this helps keep the loaf soft and fluffy. Add the milk and gently fold it into the batter until no dry streaks remain. The finished batter will be thick, creamy, and full of warm cinnamon flavor.
Lightly grease a 9×5 loaf pan and pour about half of the batter into the bottom of the pan, spreading it evenly. Spoon the cinnamon apple filling over the batter, creating a delicious layered center. Top with the remaining batter, gently smoothing it over the apples. As the loaf bakes, the apples soften beautifully and create a sweet cinnamon swirl throughout the bread.
Bake the loaf for about 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack to continue cooling completely. This easy apple cinnamon loaf is perfect for breakfast, dessert, coffee breaks, or cozy fall baking, served warm on its own or with a little butter spread on top.
How to Make the Apple Filling
In a small bowl, make the apple filling by combining the peeled and diced apples with the brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir everything together until the apples are evenly coated in the warm cinnamon sugar mixture. This simple filling adds sweet pockets of soft baked apples throughout the loaf and gives this homemade apple bread recipe its cozy fall flavor. If you like soft, sugary apple fillings, try this No-Bake Apple Crumble Cheesecake next!
Storage
Store covered for up to 3 days at room temperature.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Freeze sliced or whole loaf for up to 3 months.
Reheat warm slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds before serving.
Serving Suggestion: Delicious served warm with butter or also cream cheese.
Ingredients
Apple Filling
Apples: Granny Smith, Fuji, and Gala apples are perfect for this homemade apple cinnamon bread because they hold their shape well while baking and provide the perfect balance of sweetness and tart flavor. These apple varieties are also perfect in this Apple Cinnamon Porridge Recipe or this Homemade Apple Pie.
Brown Sugar: adds rich caramel sweetness and also helps create a soft, syrupy cinnamon apple filling.
Cinnamon: adds warm, cozy spice that gives this loaf its classic fall flavor.
Loaf Batter
All-Purpose Flour: creates the structure of the loaf while keeping the bread soft and tender.
Cinnamon: additional cinnamon in the batter enhances the warm spice flavor throughout the bread.
Baking Powder: helps the loaf rise and creates a light, fluffy texture.
Salt: balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors of the apples, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Unsalted Butter: butter adds richness, moisture, and buttery flavor while helping create a soft crumb.
Granulated Sugar: sweetens the loaf and contributes to the tender texture.
Eggs: provide structure, moisture, and richness while helping bind the batter together.
Sour Cream or Plain Yogurt: Sour cream or yogurt adds moisture and richness, helping create a soft, tender loaf that stays moist for days. The sour cream keeps this moist apple cinnamon bread rich, soft, and tender.
Vanilla Extract: vanilla enhances the sweetness and also adds warm bakery-style flavor.
Whole Milk: helps create a smooth batter and contributes to the loaf’s moist texture.
Try these other quick bread recipes!
Apple Cinnamon Loaf
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 2 apples peeled and diced best varieties are Granny Smith, Fuji, or Gala
- 1/2 c. brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Loaf Batter
- 1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 c. unsalted butter softened
- 2/3 c. granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 c. sour cream or plain yoghurt
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 c. whole milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉/175℃/Gas Mark 4.
- In a small bowl, mix together the apple filling: peeled and diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt together. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the unsalted butter with the granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed for about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Continue beating on medium speed until incorporated for about a minute.
- With the beaters on low speed, slowly pour in the dry ingredients and beat until just mixed. Then add the milk and gently fold in.
- Grease a 9x5 loaf pan and pour about half of the batter into the bottom of the pan. Spoon the apple filling onto the batter, then cover it with the rest of the batter.
- Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to continue to let cool. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Author: Sarah Young
Apple Cinnamon Bread FAQ
What apples work best for apple bread?
Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Fuji, or Gala apples work very well.
Can I freeze apple bread?
Yes, apple bread freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
Why is my apple bread dense?
Overmixing the batter can make the loaf dense instead of soft and tender.
Should apples be peeled?
Peeling is recommended for softer texture, but leaving the skin on also works.
Can I add nuts?
Yes, walnuts or pecans make excellent additions.
How do I know when apple bread is done?
Insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean.
Can I make this bread ahead of time?
Yes, the flavor often becomes even better the next day.
Why is my bread dry?
Too much flour or overbaking can cause dryness.
Can I add a glaze?
Yes, a simple powdered sugar glaze pairs beautifully with apple cinnamon bread.
Is apple bread considered a quick bread?
Yes, it’s a quick bread because it uses baking powder instead of yeast.