Description
Cinnamon Sugar Swirled Apple Butter Bread is a delightful fall-inspired treat featuring tender bread swirled with cinnamon sugar, chunks of fresh Honeycrisp apples, and creamy dollops of cream cheese. This moist, flavorful loaf is perfect for breakfast, snack time, or alongside your favorite warm beverage, topped with a luscious honey butter for an extra special touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread Batter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/3 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/4 cup apple butter
- 1/4 cup yogurt or sour cream
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour or whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 Honeycrisp apples, chopped (about 3/4 cup)
Cream Cheese Swirl
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
Honey Butter
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 9×5 inch bread pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Make Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon together until well combined. This will be used for swirling in the bread.
- Prepare the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine melted coconut oil, apple butter, honey, yogurt or sour cream, egg, vanilla extract, and milk, stirring until the mixture is smooth and uniform. Add the flour, baking soda, and kosher salt to the wet ingredients, mixing just until the ingredients are combined without overmixing.
- Assemble the Bread Layers: Spoon half of the batter into the prepared bread pan, smoothing it evenly. Dollop teaspoon-sized amounts of cream cheese over the batter layer. Using a sharp paring knife, gently swirl the cream cheese into the batter to create a marbled effect. Evenly arrange the chopped Honeycrisp apples over the cream cheese swirled batter. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the apples. Finally, spoon the remaining batter over the apples; it’s fine if some apples peek through. Sprinkle the rest of the cinnamon sugar on top to finish.
- Bake the Bread: Place the bread in the preheated oven and bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean and the center is just set. To prevent over-browning, cover the bread loosely with foil halfway through baking if needed.
- Make Honey Butter: While the bread bakes, combine softened salted butter, honey, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool slightly in the pan before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature, topped with the fresh honey butter for a deliciously sweet and buttery finish.
Notes
- This bread offers a slightly healthier alternative to coffee shop treats, incorporating wholesome ingredients like apples and yogurt.
- The cream cheese swirl adds a rich, creamy texture that complements the tender apple chunks beautifully.
- Covering the bread halfway during baking prevents the cinnamon sugar topping from burning and keeps the loaf moist.
- Honey butter can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator; bring it to room temperature before serving for easier spreading.
- Using Honeycrisp apples provides a crisp, sweet flavor, but you can substitute with your favorite apple variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/12th of loaf)
- Calories: 344
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
