Cinnamon Apple Quick Bread Recipe for Moist, Spiced Loaf

This easy Cinnamon Apple Bread is filled with cinnamon-spiced apple pieces folded through a tender, moist crumb. It captures the best flavors of fall in a single loaf.

We love everything about apple season. If you enjoy fresh-apple recipes, try other favorites like Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars, Apple Crisp, or Caramel Apple Pie Party Mix.

✔️ The Best Homemade Apple Bread

✔️ Flavor Profile

The loaf combines a buttery, moist, cake-like crumb with caramelized brown sugar, warm spices, and the bright tartness of fresh apples. A spiced brown sugar layer on top adds a crisp texture, while a light cinnamon glaze balances sweetness. The result is reminiscent of apple pie but less sweet—perfect for fall baking.

🔎 What’s in Cinnamon Apple Bread?

✔️ Ingredients and Substitutions

• Flour: All-purpose flour works best for texture and structure.
• Eggs: Use large eggs at room temperature for consistent volume.
• Baking Powder: Provides lift for a light crumb.
• Butter: Unsalted, softened butter is preferred. If using salted butter, reduce added salt.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar for the batter; brown sugar for the apple swirl and topping for a deeper caramel flavor.
• Flavorings: Ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. Sea or kosher salt is recommended.
• Milk: Whole milk gives the richest result, but 2% is fine.
• Apples: Baking varieties like Braeburn, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith are ideal. Aim for about 1 1/2 to 2 cups chopped apples.
• Confectioners’ Sugar: For the glaze.

🔎 How to Make Apple Bread

• Get Ready: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour an 8.5 x 4.5-inch loaf pan.
• Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
• Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla until smooth and pale (about 3–4 minutes). Scrape the bowl as needed.
• Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time until incorporated.
• Combine: On low speed, add half the flour mixture alternating with half the milk, then add the remaining flour and milk and mix until just combined.
• Prepare Apple Mixture: Toss apples with brown sugar and cinnamon; set aside.
• Make Topping: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon for the top and set aside.
• Assemble: Pour half the batter into the pan, spread half the apple mixture, and lightly swirl. Add the remaining batter, top with the rest of the apples, swirl a couple more times, and sprinkle the cinnamon sugar topping.
• Bake: Bake 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean. A few moist crumbs are normal because of the apples.
• Cool and Glaze: Cool in the pan 15–20 minutes, whisk glaze ingredients, remove the loaf to a rack, and drizzle with glaze. Cool completely before slicing.

🔎 Best Apples for Baking

While any apples can be used, Braeburn, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith are excellent choices for baking because they balance sweetness and tartness and hold up well when cooked.

• Honeycrisp: Juicy, crisp, and well-balanced—retains texture when baked.
• Granny Smith: Tart and firm; a classic for baking.
• Braeburn: Firm and flavorful with a good sweet-tart balance.
• Jonagold: Sweet-tart and large—great for cooking.
• Pink Lady: Tart with a sweet finish; crisp and flavorful when ripe.

🔎 Apple Size and Quantity

Apples vary in size; a large apple is roughly 3.5 inches in diameter. For this recipe use about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of chopped apples—small to medium dice works best.

🔎 Do I Need to Peel the Apples?

Yes. Peeling the apples is recommended for a softer, more uniform texture in the loaf.

🔎 Why Is My Apple Bread Dense?

Density usually results from overmixing the batter or using the wrong flour. Mix just until combined to keep the crumb light.

🔎 Why Does the Top Crack?

Top cracks are normal for quick breads. The surface sets while the interior continues to rise, causing cracks—this is expected and not a defect.

🔎 How Do I Know the Bread Is Done?

Insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center; it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs because of the apple pieces. An instant-read thermometer should register about 200°F in the center.

🔎 How Do You Store Apple Bread?

Store the loaf at room temperature, covered, for 2–3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate in an airtight container or well-wrapped for up to 6 days.

🔎 Can I Freeze Apple Bread?

Yes. Cool completely, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze up to 1–2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature or warm gently in a 300°F oven before serving.

Other Quick Breads to Try

• Easy Banana Bread
• Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chips
• Lemon Zucchini Bread
• Cranberry Orange Bread
• Buttermilk Biscuits
• Vegan Cornbread

Cinnamon Apple Bread

4.91 from 22 reviews

Kathy McDaniel

This Cinnamon Apple Bread has a swirl of brown sugar and apples through a tender loaf, finished with a cinnamon glaze for a touch of sweetness and spice.

Print
Pin

Prep 15 mins

Cook 50 mins

Total 1 hr 5 mins

Makes 10 servings

Equipment

• Loaf pan (8.5″ x 4.5″)
• Stand mixer or electric hand mixer

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup milk

Apple Mixture:

• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 large apple, peeled, cored, and chopped

Topping:

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Glaze:

• 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour an 8.5 x 4.5-inch loaf pan.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Beat butter, sugar, and vanilla until smooth and pale (3–4 minutes). Scrape the bowl as needed.
4. Beat in eggs one at a time until incorporated.
5. On low, add half the flour mixture alternating with half the milk, then the remaining flour and milk. Mix until just combined.
6. Toss apples with brown sugar and cinnamon; set aside.
7. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon for the topping; set aside.
8. Pour half the batter into the pan, top with half the apple mixture, and lightly swirl. Add remaining batter and apples, swirl a couple times, and sprinkle the topping.
9. Bake 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
10. Cool in the pan 15–20 minutes. Whisk glaze ingredients, remove the loaf to a rack, drizzle with glaze, and let cool completely before slicing.

Notes

• Cut apples into small to medium dice for best texture.
• Store at room temperature, covered, for 2–3 days.
• Any apple variety works, but baking apples hold up better in the loaf.
• This loaf resembles Dutch apple bread; the cinnamon sugar topping acts like a light streusel.
• Use a parchment sling to lift the loaf from the pan easily; grease the paper before adding batter.

Nutrition

Calories: 261 kcal, Carbohydrates: 40 g, Protein: 2 g

Love From-Scratch Recipes? Be Part of Our Community!

Leave a Comment

✔️ More Fall Favorite Recipes Below:

Appetizers and Snacks

• Caramel Pecan Clusters
• Carrot Top Hummus
• Fall Charcuterie Board
• Roasted Red Pepper and Crab Savory Cheesecake
• Sweet and Spicy Roasted Nuts

Breakfast and Baked Goods

• Apple Cranberry Pecan Overnight Oats
• Sweet Potato Pancakes

Soups and Salads

• Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
• Panera Autumn Squash Soup
• Salmon Salad with Grapes and Pecans

Side Dishes

• Apple Butter Dijon Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Candied Pecans and Green Apple
• Butternut Squash and Bacon Risotto
• Loaded Bacon and Kale Salad
• Roasted Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash
• Sausage-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Main Dishes

• Apple Cider Rubbed Pork Chops
• Thai Butternut Squash Curry
• Butternut Squash Parmesan Pasta
• Grape & Gorgonzola Pizza
• Honey Dijon Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
• Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potatoes

Desserts

• Butter Pecan Fudge
• Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake
• Easy Apple Crisp
• Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies
• French Apple Tart
• Individual Grape Crumble
• Pumpkin Roll
• Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
• Slow Cooker Apple Pear Crisp