Description
This delicious Apple Cinnamon Bread combines tender, sweet bread with the warm flavors of cinnamon and fresh apples. Topped with a smooth vanilla icing, this loaf is perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert. Easy to make and perfect for using tart apples, it’s a cozy treat that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
For the bread
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ cup milk
- 1 large apple, peeled and finely chopped (about 1 cup apple bits)
For the icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Mix brown sugar and cinnamon: In a small bowl, combine the packed light brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Set this mixture aside for layering later.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the granulated sugar and softened butter until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Add dry ingredients and milk: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and baking powder to the wet mixture, mixing gently. Then pour in the milk and combine until the batter is smooth but do not overmix.
- Layer batter and apples: Pour half of the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Spread half of the finely chopped apples evenly over the batter, pressing them slightly into the surface.
- Sprinkle cinnamon sugar: Evenly sprinkle half of the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture over the apple layer.
- Repeat layers: Pour the remaining batter on top of the first apple and sugar layer. Then spread the remaining chopped apples over the batter and top with the rest of the cinnamon sugar mixture. Use the back of a large spoon to gently pat the topping into the batter to create a nice crust.
- Bake the bread: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the bread: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
- Prepare icing: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth and pourable.
- Drizzle icing: Once the bread has cooled, drizzle the icing evenly over the top. Allow the icing to set for about 15 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Store the bread wrapped at room temperature to keep it fresh or freeze it for later use.
- Apple bread freezes very well. Freeze the whole loaf or slice and freeze individual portions. Thaw completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator, then warm slightly before serving.
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Golden Delicious for the best flavor and texture, but any baking apples will work.
- To make muffins instead of a loaf, adjust baking times and pan sizes accordingly; see blog post for detailed instructions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of loaf)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
