If you’re anything like me, you’ll love sinking your teeth into this cozy, comforting loaf — the Cinnamon Sugar Swirled Apple Butter Bread Recipe is truly one of those treats that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day. I absolutely love how the tender bread is perfectly laced with cinnamon sugar swirls, bits of sweet-tart apples, and a dreamy cream cheese swirl that makes every bite special. Whether you’re looking for a new fall breakfast idea or an impressive anything-but-basic snack, this bread’s got you covered.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Balance of Flavors: The cinnamon sugar swirls combined with fresh apples and apple butter create a beautifully layered taste.
Simple Ingredients: Easy to find pantry staples plus fresh apples, making it great for last-minute baking sessions.
Moist, Tender Texture: Thanks to yogurt or sour cream and cream cheese, this bread never feels dry or dense.
Show-Stopping Presentation: The swirled cream cheese and cinnamon sugar topping make it as beautiful as it is delicious.

The image shows several thick slices of dark brown bread with a moist texture, placed on a wire cooling rack over a wooden surface. Inside each slice, there are visible light cream-colored layers that look soft and spread unevenly, with chunks of white and light yellow fruits or nuts embedded throughout. One piece is held by a woman's hand, showing its crumbly texture. Small orange flowers and a dollop of light yellow butter are scattered nearby. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cinnamon Sugar Swirled Apple Butter Bread, apple cinnamon sweet bread, fall breakfast bread, apple butter loaf, cozy cinnamon swirl bread

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient was carefully chosen to create that warm, tender crumb and perfect cinnamon sugar swirl. I like to use Honeycrisp apples for a nice mix of sweetness and tartness, but other crisp apples work well too. Having quality apple butter also makes a noticeable difference!

Flat lay of chopped Honeycrisp apples with their red and yellow skin intact, a small jar of smooth apple butter, creamy white cream cheese blocks, golden melted coconut oil pooling gently, a mound of light brown cinnamon sugar mixture, a drizzle of rich honey, a pat of soft salted butter, and a splash of milky white yogurt arranged beautifully and naturally placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cinnamon Sugar Swirled Apple Butter Bread, apple cinnamon sweet bread, fall breakfast bread, apple butter loaf, cozy cinnamon swirl bread

Granulated sugar: For sweetness in the cinnamon layer; regular white sugar works best for that classic texture.
Cinnamon: The star spice that gives the swirl its signature warm flavor.
Coconut oil: Melted for moisture and a slight nutty note; you can swap it with melted butter if you prefer.
Apple butter: Adds fruity depth and moisture; homemade or store-bought both work.
Yogurt or sour cream: Keeps the bread super moist and tender — I usually go for Greek yogurt for a subtle tang.
Large egg: Helps bind everything together and adds richness.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its sweet, floral notes.
Honey: Natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with apple flavors.
Milk: Balances the wet ingredients; any milk you have on hand works.
All-purpose flour or whole wheat pastry flour: For structure; whole wheat pastry flour adds nuttiness if you prefer a healthier twist.
Baking soda: The leavening agent to help the bread rise perfectly.
Kosher salt: Just a pinch to help balance the sweetness and bring out the flavors.
Honeycrisp apples: Fresh and chopped, they add bursts of juicy sweetness throughout.
Cream cheese: At room temperature, making it easy to swirl and adding creamy tang.
Salted butter: For the honey butter glaze — it makes all the difference on top.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this Cinnamon Sugar Swirled Apple Butter Bread Recipe is. Feel free to swap out a few things and make it your own — that’s part of the fun! Here are some ways I’ve played around with it that you might want to try too.

Gluten-Free Version: I used a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and it still came out wonderfully moist and tasty — just watch the baking time as it may vary slightly.
Spiced Up: Once, I added a pinch of nutmeg and ground cloves to the cinnamon sugar for a little extra warmth, and my family went crazy for it.
Dairy-Free Alternative: I swapped coconut oil and dairy yogurt for plant-based versions to make this recipe vegan-friendly — still delicious and creamy!
Add Nuts: Toasted pecans or walnuts sprinkled inside add a lovely crunch and pair perfectly with the apple butter and cinnamon flavors.

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Swirled Apple Butter Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Cinnamon Sugar

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and butter your 9×5-inch bread pan. Trust me, a well-greased pan makes it so much easier to get the bread out without messy edges. Next, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon in a bowl for that iconic swirl – I like to mix it well so every bite has that perfect cinnamon-sugar hit.

Step 2: Mix Your Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, stir together melted coconut oil, apple butter, honey, yogurt or sour cream, egg, vanilla extract, and milk until everything’s blended. This mixture smells amazing — the apple butter gives it such a cozy aroma that gets me excited every time I bake this.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Batter

Add your flour, baking soda, and kosher salt to the wet mix, folding until just combined — don’t overmix here, or your bread can get tough. I usually use a spatula and stop as soon as there are no more streaks of flour.

Step 4: Layer and Swirl

Pour half the batter into your prepared pan. Then dollop teaspoon-sized blobs of cream cheese all over the top — here’s where that cream cheese swirl magic happens. Use a sharp paring knife to gently swirl the cream cheese into the batter; don’t overdo it or the swirls will disappear! Next, arrange chopped apples evenly over the cream cheese. Sprinkle with half the cinnamon sugar, then spoon the remaining batter over the apples. It’s okay if some apples peek through; that adds to the charm. Finally, sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar on top.

Step 5: Bake and Keep an Eye

Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until the center is just set — a toothpick inserted should come out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs. Here’s a tip: I usually cover the bread loosely halfway through baking with foil to prevent the top from burning while allowing the inside to cook through perfectly.

Step 6: Make the Honey Butter

While the bread’s baking, whip together softened butter, honey, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. This honey butter is my secret weapon — spreading a little on warm slices elevates the whole experience, trust me.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Once out of the oven, let your bread cool slightly in the pan before slicing. Or if you’re like me, you go straight for a warm slice with that honey butter melting on top — heavenly! It pairs perfectly with your morning coffee or afternoon tea.

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Pro Tips for Making Cinnamon Sugar Swirled Apple Butter Bread Recipe

Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese and butter are softened—it makes swirling and mixing so much easier and smoother.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: Stir just until ingredients come together to keep the bread tender rather than dense.
Watch Your Oven: Every oven varies—start checking around 55 minutes to avoid overbaking and drying out your loaf.
Use a Sharp Knife for Swirling: A sharp paring knife helps create distinct swirls rather than blending the cream cheese fully into the batter.

How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Swirled Apple Butter Bread Recipe

The image shows a stack of three square dessert bars on a metal cooling rack placed over a white marbled surface. Each bar has two visible layers: a thicker, moist, brown crumbly layer on top and a creamy white layer beneath it. The bars look soft and textured, with some crumbs scattered around them. In the background, there is a red and yellow apple and a few small yellow flowers adding color to the scene. The photo has a dark blurred background that highlights the dessert bars. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cinnamon Sugar Swirled Apple Butter Bread, apple cinnamon sweet bread, fall breakfast bread, apple butter loaf, cozy cinnamon swirl bread

Garnishes

I often garnish slices with an extra drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of powdered sugar to add a delicate touch of sweetness and a pretty finish. For a more indulgent approach, a small smear of softened butter or the homemade honey butter really ties it together.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of chai tea or strong coffee. For a brunch spread, I love serving it alongside scrambled eggs or a simple fruit salad to balance the sweetness with fresh brightness.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or holidays, I slice the bread into thinner, bite-sized pieces and arrange them on a rustic wooden board with bowls of extra honey butter and fresh apple slices. It’s a fantastic way to make something homemade look like it came from a fancy bakery.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, then place it inside an airtight container at room temperature. It stays fresh for about 2-3 days, but honestly, it rarely lasts that long in my kitchen!

Freezing

This bread freezes beautifully—slice it first, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap, then place all slices in a freezer bag. When you want a treat, just thaw a slice at room temperature or toast it right from frozen.

Reheating

I prefer reheating slices in a toaster oven or regular oven wrapped in foil to keep moisture in, which brings back that fresh-baked feel without drying it out. You can also microwave them for about 15 seconds if you’re in a hurry, but it’s not quite the same lovely texture.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple for this bread?

Absolutely! While Honeycrisp are my favorite for their balance of sweetness and tartness, you can use Granny Smith for more tang or Fuji and Gala for sweeter notes. Just make sure to chop them evenly so they cook well within the bread.
Is it okay to substitute cream cheese with something else in the swirl?

Cream cheese adds that tangy richness and creamy texture, so it’s the best choice here. However, if you want to skip it, you can try ricotta or mascarpone for a different but still lovely effect.
How do I know when the bread is fully baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf; it should come out with just a few moist crumbs but no raw batter. Also, the top should be golden brown and spring back slightly when pressed.
Can I make this bread vegan?

Yes! Replace the egg with a flax or chia egg, use dairy-free yogurt or sour cream alternatives, and swap cream cheese and butter for vegan versions. Keep an eye on baking time as it may differ slightly.
What’s the best way to slice this bread?

Use a serrated bread knife and cut gently with a back-and-forth motion to avoid squashing the loaf, especially while it’s still warm. Letting it cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing helps it set perfectly.

Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Sugar Swirled Apple Butter Bread Recipe holds a special place in my heart — it was the first time I nailed that perfect swirl with apples and cream cheese all in one loaf. Every time I bake it, I’m reminded how simple ingredients can come together to create something really magical. If you try it, I promise you’ll be making it again and again, sharing it with friends and family who’ll be just as delighted. So go ahead, bake this cozy loaf, and savor the sweet, cinnamon-ey goodness that will make your kitchen smell like pure happiness.