This apple bread is absolute perfection! It’s soft and moist, loaded with apples, and topped with crispy cinnamon sugar. A loaf of apple bread on a white serving plate.

Why this recipe is so great:

  • Method – This apple bread recipe is super easy to make. There is no mixer required. Everything is made by hand with a whisk and a spatula.
  • Taste – Rich and buttery with a kick of cinnamon and warm notes of vanilla. The tender chunks of apples add a natural sweetness and loads of flavor.
  • Texture – The crumb is delicately dense and soft. The apples and cinnamon sugar give a nice subtle crunch, providing a lovely contrast to the tenderness of the bread.

A loaf of apple bread on a white serving plate with three slices cut.

Ingredients you’ll need:

  • All-purpose flour
  • baking powder & salt
  • ground cinnamon & nutmeg (or apple pie spice mix)
  • vanilla extract
  • granulated sugar
  • butter & eggs
  • sour cream or plain yogurt
  • lots of apples

How to make apple bread:

(the ingredient amounts are listed in the printable recipe card further below)

  1. In a medium bowl, toss together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar. Then add the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla. Whisk again until well combined.
  3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until almost combined. Fold in the apples until just combined.
  4. Spoon the batter into a 9×5″ pan lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top and gently swirl into the batter. Bake at 350F for one hour.

picture collage of how to make apple bread

Expert tips:

How to store:

Apple bread can be tightly wrapped or placed in an airtight container and stored at room temperature for up to 4 days.

How to freeze:

Tightly wrap the completely cooled bread in a double layer of aluminum foil or saran wrap and store in the freezer for up to 3 months

FAQ:

What is apple bread?

Apple bread is a quick bread made with fresh apples or applesauce.

What is the best apple for baking bread?

The best are Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Royal Gala for their firmness and flavor profiles.

Why does my apple bread fall in the middle?

There could be a few reasons like too much liquid or not enough leavening, but it’s most likely due to underbaking, causing it to sink and be soggy in the middle.

Why is my apple bread dry?

This is usually due to one of two reasons, not enough liquid or fat content in the recipe or overbaking.

Two slice of apple bread on a white plate with a piece on a fork.

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Best Cinnamon Apple Bread

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 7 reviews
  • Author: Lily Ernst
  • Prep Time: 20 min
  • Cook Time: 60 min
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 12
  • Category: dessert, breakfast, snack
  • Method: bake
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

This apple bread is absolute perfection! It’s soft and moist, loaded with apples, and topped with crispy cinnamon sugar.

Ingredients

Bread

  • 1 & 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 & 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
  • 1 & 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 cups apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 2 large apples)

Topping

  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, toss together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until well combined. Then add the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla. Whisk again until smooth.
  4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until almost combined. Fold in the apples until just combined. Spoon the batter into the prepared baking pan.
  5. In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon sugar and sprinkle on top. Using the tip of a small knife, gently swirl the cinnamon sugar into the batter.
  6. Bake at 350F for one hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool for 30 minutes, then use parchment paper to remove the bread from the pan and let cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Leftovers can be tightly wrapped or stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 253
  • Sugar: 21.1 g
  • Sodium: 70.8 mg
  • Fat: 10.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Protein: 3.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 54.7 mg