This Cinnamon Apple Bread combines fresh apples, warm cinnamon, and a soft, tender crumb in an easy homemade loaf. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, an afternoon snack, or a simple fall dessert.
Like moist homemade banana bread, this is a simple quick bread with no kneading or rising required. If you love apple and cinnamon together, try this Apple Cinnamon Cottage Cheese Bake too.
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Apple Bread
This easy apple cinnamon bread delivers plenty of flavor without complicated preparation.
- Moist and tender: Fresh apples add moisture.
- Full of apple flavor: Diced apples are spread throughout the loaf.
- Warmly spiced: Cinnamon complements sweet-tart apples.
- No yeast required: Simply prepare the batter and bake.
- Easy to customize: Add nuts, streusel, cinnamon sugar, or glaze.
- Versatile: Enjoy it for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
Ingredients for Cinnamon Apple Bread
For delicious homemade apple bread, you’ll need simple baking ingredients:
- Fresh apples: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, or Braeburn.
- All-purpose flour: Gives the loaf structure.
- Ground cinnamon: Provides warm, spiced flavor.
- Baking powder or baking soda: Helps the bread rise.
- Sugar: Use granulated or brown sugar for sweetness.
- Eggs: Provide structure and richness.
- Butter or oil: Helps create a tender crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the cinnamon and apple flavors.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness.
You can also add nutmeg, walnuts, or pecans. Cinnamon lovers may also enjoy this Cinnamon Brown Sugar Sourdough recipe.
What Are the Best Apples for Cinnamon Apple Bread?
Firm baking apples work particularly well because they maintain some texture while baking.
Good options include:
- Granny Smith: Firm and tart.
- Honeycrisp: Crisp and sweet-tart.
- Pink Lady: Firm with a slightly tangy flavor.
- Braeburn: Holds its shape well.
- Fuji: Sweet and juicy.
For more complex flavor, combine a tart apple with a sweeter variety.
How to Make Cinnamon Apple Bread
Making moist cinnamon apple bread is straightforward.
1. Prepare the Apples
Core and dice the apples into evenly sized pieces. Peel them first if you prefer a softer texture.
Toss the apple pieces with cinnamon.
2. Prepare the Pan
Grease a standard 9 × 5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients
Combine:
- Flour
- Cinnamon
- Baking powder or baking soda
- Salt
Add nutmeg or another warm spice if desired.
4. Mix the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, vanilla, and melted butter or oil.
5. Make the Batter
Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
Avoid overmixing, which can make quick bread dense or tough.
6. Add the Apples
Gently fold the cinnamon-coated apples into the batter.
Transfer the mixture to your prepared loaf pan. Add cinnamon sugar or streusel on top if desired.
7. Bake and Cool
Bake according to your recipe’s temperature and timing until the top is golden and the center is cooked.
Allow the loaf to cool before slicing.
How to Tell When Apple Bread Is Done
Fresh apples add moisture, so checking the center is important.
Your loaf should have:
- A golden-brown top.
- A set center.
- A toothpick that comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- No wet batter in the center.
Cooling also allows the crumb to set properly.
Tips for Moist Cinnamon Apple Bread
Follow these tips for a soft, tender loaf:
- Measure flour carefully. Excess flour can make bread dry.
- Don’t overmix. Mix only until the ingredients combine.
- Use firm apples. They retain their texture better.
- Dice evenly. Similar-sized apple pieces cook consistently.
- Avoid overbaking. Check the loaf toward the end of baking.
- Cool before slicing. This helps the bread hold its shape.
These techniques are also useful when making other quick breads, including this easy moist banana bread recipe.
Cinnamon Apple Bread Variations
Customize your apple cinnamon bread recipe with a few simple additions.
Apple Bread With Walnuts or Pecans
Fold chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter for extra crunch.
Apple Bread With Streusel
Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter to create a crumbly topping.
Cinnamon-Swirl Apple Bread
Layer cinnamon sugar between portions of batter for sweet cinnamon ribbons throughout the loaf.
Glazed Apple Bread
Once cooled, finish the bread with vanilla, cinnamon, or powdered-sugar glaze.
How to Store Cinnamon Apple Bread
To keep your cinnamon apple loaf fresh:
- Cool it completely.
- Store it in an airtight container.
- Keep cut surfaces securely covered.
- Refrigerate if perishable toppings or fillings are added.
Can You Freeze Cinnamon Apple Bread?
Yes. Cinnamon apple bread is easy to freeze.
- Cool the loaf completely.
- Freeze it whole or in individual slices.
- Wrap it securely in freezer-safe packaging.
- Thaw before serving.
Individual slices are convenient when you only want one serving at a time.
What to Serve With Cinnamon Apple Bread
Enjoy this bread with:
- Coffee or tea
- Milk
- Butter
- Greek yogurt
- Fresh fruit
For a bigger brunch spread, pair it with these Banana Bread Buttermilk Cinnamon Rolls.
Cinnamon Apple Bread FAQs
What are the best apples for apple bread?
Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Braeburn, and Fuji are all good choices. Firm apples hold their texture better during baking.
Do you have to peel apples for apple bread?
No. Peeled apples provide a softer texture, while leaving the peel on saves time and adds texture.
Why is my apple bread dense?
Overmixing or using too much flour can contribute to dense quick bread. Mix gently and measure flour carefully.
Why is my apple bread gummy in the middle?
The loaf may be underbaked or contain excess moisture. Check the center with a toothpick before removing it from the oven.
How do you keep cinnamon apple bread moist?
Use fresh apples, avoid excessive flour, don’t overbake the loaf, and store the cooled bread in an airtight container.
Can you freeze cinnamon apple bread?
Yes. Freeze the entire loaf or individual slices in freezer-safe packaging and thaw before serving.
Final Thoughts
This Cinnamon Apple Bread is an easy way to combine juicy apples with warm cinnamon in a soft homemade quick bread. Serve it for breakfast, brunch, snacks, or dessert.
Keep it classic or add pecans, walnuts, cinnamon streusel, or glaze for your own variation. For another cozy cinnamon bake, explore this Cinnamon Brown Sugar Sourdough loaf.
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Cinnamon Apple Bread — Easy, Moist Apple Cinnamon Quick Bread
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf, approximately 10 slices 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Cinnamon Apple Bread is a moist, tender quick bread packed with fresh apples and warm cinnamon flavor. A golden crust and cinnamon-spiced apple pieces make every slice comforting and delicious. It is perfect for breakfast, brunch, an afternoon snack, or a simple fall dessert.
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
1 1/2 cups peeled and diced apples
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour for coating the apples
2 tablespoons brown sugar for topping
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon for topping
1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper.
Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium bowl.
In a separate large bowl, whisk the melted butter and brown sugar until combined. Add the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract and Greek yogurt or sour cream.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix gently just until combined. Avoid overmixing the batter.
Toss the diced apples with 1 tablespoon of flour. Gently fold the apples into the batter along with the walnuts or pecans, if using.
Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
Combine 2 tablespoons of brown sugar with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle evenly over the loaf.
Bake for approximately 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Transfer it to a wire rack and let it cool further before slicing.
Notes
Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Braeburn, and Fuji apples all work well in this recipe.
Cut the apples into small, relatively even pieces so they bake consistently.
Do not overmix the batter, as this can make the bread dense.
Begin checking the loaf around the 50-minute mark because ovens can vary.
If the top becomes too brown before the center is finished, loosely cover the loaf with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.
Allow the bread to cool before slicing so the crumb has time to set.
Store cooled Cinnamon Apple Bread in a well-sealed container for short-term storage.
The cooled loaf can also be wrapped securely and frozen whole or in individual slices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: Approximately 260
- Sugar: Approximately 18 g
- Sodium: Approximately 190 mg
- Fat: Approximately 11 g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approximately 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 38 g
- Fiber: Approximately 2 g
- Protein: Approximately 4 g
- Cholesterol: Approximately 55 mg
Keywords: Cinnamon Apple Bread, Apple Cinnamon Bread, Apple Bread Recipe, Moist Apple Bread, Cinnamon Apple Loaf, Apple Cinnamon Quick Bread, Homemade Apple Bread, Easy Apple Bread