This is the ultimate Cinnamon Apple Bread recipe, packed with warm spices and chunks of fresh apple in every bite. It’s incredibly moist, easy to make, and fills your home with the most amazing autumn aroma. Forget dry, bland loaves; this quick bread is tender, flavorful, and perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. We’ve tested this recipe tirelessly to ensure it’s a no-fail loaf you’ll make again and again.
Whether you have a bushel of freshly picked apples or just a few sitting on your counter, this recipe is the perfect way to use them. It strikes the perfect balance between a soft, cake-like crumb and the satisfying texture of real apple pieces, all swirled with a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture. It’s a truly comforting bake that everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Apple Bread Recipe
There are so many reasons to adore this simple yet impressive recipe. It’s a seasonal favorite that captures the essence of fall in a single loaf.
- Incredibly Moist Crumb: We use specific ingredients and techniques to guarantee a tender, moist loaf that stays fresh for days.
- Packed with Apple Flavor: This recipe uses two whole cups of diced apples, ensuring you get sweet, tender apple in every single slice.
- Perfectly Spiced: A generous amount of cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg create that classic, cozy flavor profile that pairs beautifully with apples.
- Easy for Beginners: This is a straightforward “quick bread” recipe. There’s no yeast, no kneading, and no complicated steps. Just mix and bake!
Key Ingredients for Perfect Apple Bread
The magic of this Cinnamon Apple Bread comes from simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for our bread.
- Baking Soda: Gives the loaf its beautiful lift and tender texture.
- Spices: A warm blend of cinnamon and nutmeg is essential.
- Salt: Balances all the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- Apples: The star of the show! Use firm, crisp apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature.
- Sugars: A mix of granulated and brown sugar provides the perfect sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Eggs: Binds the ingredients together and adds to the rich texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors in the bread.
- Buttermilk: The secret ingredient for an ultra-moist crumb. It adds a slight tang that complements the sweet apples.
How to Make Cinnamon Apple Bread (Step-by-Step)
Making this Cinnamon Apple Bread is incredibly simple. Follow these steps for a perfect loaf every time.
1. Prepare Your Pan and Ingredients
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In a separate small bowl, toss the diced apples with a tablespoon of the flour mixture to prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the loaf.
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, which is key to a tender crumb. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
3. Combine and Fold
Next, alternate adding the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix on low speed until just combined—be careful not to overmix! Finally, gently fold in the diced apples with a spatula.
4. Bake to Perfection
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can tent it loosely with aluminum foil for the last 15 minutes of baking.
5. Cool and Enjoy
Let the bread cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slicing it while it’s warm is tempting, but allowing it to cool ensures clean slices and lets the flavors settle. This cinnamon apple quick bread is delicious on its own or with a smear of butter.
Choosing the Best Apples for Baking
The type of apple you use can make a big difference. For this Cinnamon Apple Bread, you want apples that hold their shape when baked and offer a balance of sweet and tart flavors. Avoid softer apples like Red Delicious, which can turn to mush.
- Granny Smith: The classic choice for baking. They are firm and tart, holding their shape and balancing the sweetness of the bread.
- Honeycrisp: A wonderful option that is both sweet and crisp. They remain firm and provide a fantastic texture.
- Braeburn or Gala: These are also great choices that are firm and sweet, perfect for this recipe.
For more delicious apple recipes, check out our easy apple crisp or these amazing caramel apple cheesecake bars.
Pro Tips for the Moistest Apple Bread
Want to ensure your Cinnamon Apple Bread is bakery-quality every time? Follow these simple tips.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Mix until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a tough, dense bread.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Bringing your eggs, butter, and buttermilk to room temperature helps them incorporate smoothly, creating a more uniform batter and a better final texture.
- Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off. Scooping directly from the bag can pack the flour, resulting in too much being added and a dry loaf. For other baking staples, try our famous moist banana bread recipe.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also a great base for customization. Here are a few ideas:
- Add a Streusel Topping: Before baking, sprinkle a mixture of flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cold butter over the top for a crunchy, sweet crust.
- Mix in Nuts: Add a cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for extra crunch and nutty flavor.
- Drizzle with Glaze: Once the bread has cooled, drizzle it with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, a splash of milk, and a little vanilla extract.
How to Store Your Cinnamon Apple Bread
To keep your bread fresh and moist, store it properly. Once it has cooled completely, wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. It will keep at room temperature for up to 4 days.
For longer storage, you can freeze the bread. Wrap the entire loaf (or individual slices) in plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! A simple streusel topping made from flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cold butter is a delicious addition. You can also drizzle the cooled loaf with a powdered sugar glaze for extra sweetness.
Yes, this bread freezes beautifully. Wrap the entire cooled loaf or individual slices in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
To prevent soggy bread, peel your apples and dice them into small, uniform pieces. Also, tossing the diced apples in a tablespoon of flour before adding them to the batter helps absorb excess moisture and prevents them from sinking.
When stored properly in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap, your cinnamon apple bread will stay moist and fresh at room temperature for up to 4 days.
The best apples for baking are firm, crisp, and balance sweet and tart flavors. We recommend using Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Gala apples for this recipe as they hold their shape and won’t turn mushy.
Cinnamon Apple Bread Recipe
Cinnamon Apple Bread (The Best, Moist Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups of flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In a separate small bowl, toss the diced apples with the remaining 1 tablespoon of flour.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk in two additions (begin and end with the dry ingredients). Mix on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Gently fold the flour-coated apples into the batter using a spatula.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top is browning too quickly, tent it loosely with foil for the final 15 minutes.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Tip 2: Tossing apples in flour prevents them from sinking to the bottom of the loaf.
Tip 3: For an extra touch, sprinkle the top of the batter with a tablespoon of coarse sugar and a pinch of cinnamon before baking for a crunchy topping.
Share Your Creation!
We hope you love this Cinnamon Apple Bread recipe as much as we do! If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. We’d love to see your creations! For more recipe inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest.
