Every slice of this apple cinnamon loaf is like a warm, cozy, comforting hug. Enjoy it with a cup of coffee or tea for a delicious brunch or afternoon snack.
Warm, tender, and swirled with ribbons of cinnamon sugar, this apple cinnamon loaf is the kind of bake that makes the whole kitchen smell like comfort. Each slice is soft yet slightly dense, with pockets of baked apples that burst with juicy sweetness.
The crust is golden and sprinkled with a cinnamon sugar topping that gives every bite a light crunch. It’s a loaf that tastes just as good at breakfast as it does for dessert with a hot cup of tea or coffee.
Fall is the perfect season for this loaf. Crisp apples are at their peak, the weather calls for cozy bakes, and the aroma of cinnamon drifting through the house feels like an instant hug.
Table of Contents
Why you’ll love this family favorite recipe!
- easy to make with pantry ingredients
- fills the house with warm, inviting aromas
- a great way to use up fresh fall apples
- versatile enough for breakfast, snack, or dessert
- stays moist and flavorful for days
Ingredient notes
- apples: choose crisp, slightly tart varieties like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith
- flour: all-purpose flour gives the loaf a tender crumb
- brown sugar: adds a deeper, caramel-like sweetness
- cinnamon: the star spice that ties everything together
- baking soda and baking powder: for the perfect rise
- nutmeg: a small amount adds warmth and depth
- applesauce: keeps the loaf moist without making it heavy
- eggs: help bind and give structure
- vanilla: enhances the sweetness and rounds out the flavors
- butter: adds richness and a soft crumb
- sugar: balances the spices and sweetness of the apples
- cinnamon sugar topping: creates a crunchy, sweet crust on top
Step-by-step instructions
Here are some step-by-step photos to help you make this recipe. You’ll find the full list of ingredients with measurements, as well as more detailed instructions, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Mix the apples with the cinnamon and brown sugar. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter.
4. Add the sugar and cream together.
5. Add the eggs and beat together.
6. Add applesauce and vanilla and beat.
7-9. Gradually add half of the milk alternating with half of the dry ingredients, then continue alternating until all are incorporated. Note that before you add the dry ingredients, it will look almost curdled but it’s not! This is normal (see photo 8 above).
10. Once all of the dry ingredients are incorporated, it should look like photo 10 above.
11. Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Then top with most of the diced apple mixture.
12. Pour the remaining batter on top of the diced apples, then top with any remaining diced apples and drizzle any remaining sauce over it.
13. Bake at 350°F for 60-75 minutes.
Marlynn’s Tip
Recipe Tip
After about 30 minutes of baking, cover the top of the loaf loosely with aluminum foil. This can help prevent the top from burning while the rest of the loaf bakes.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, but crisp, tart apples hold their shape and flavor better in baking.
Yes, substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture may be slightly different.
Yes, you can reduce both white and brown sugar by 2–3 tablespoons without affecting the texture much.
Yes, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 or 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Serving suggestions
This apple cinnamon loaf is perfect with a cup of coffee or tea.
If serving this for brunch, consider serving it alongside something savory, like these eggs in puff pastry or egg vegetable scramble.
You can also serve it as part of a baked goods buffet. Try serving it alongside a banana crumb coffee cake, a coffee walnut loaf, and vegan cinnamon streusel muffins.
🍷 🥂 Wine pairings
Riesling: its crisp acidity and light sweetness complement the apples and spices beautifully.
Pinot Noir: a light-bodied red with bright fruit notes that balances the loaf’s sweetness.
More apple recipes
Pasta Recipes
Fall Pasta Recipes
Breakfast Recipes
Chili Crisp Eggs
Soup Recipes
Instant Pot Soup Recipes
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Apple Cinnamon Loaf
Equipment
- 1 Loaf Pan
Ingredients
- 1½ cups peeled and diced apples , about 2 medium apples
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
cake batter
- 1¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
- optional: cinnamon sugar topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper or spray with nonstick spray.
- In a medium bowl, toss together the apples, brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter until creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Add granulated sugar and beat together for another 2 minutes, until well combined, smooth, and creamy.
- Beat in the eggs until just combined.
- Beat in the applesauce and vanilla extract until combined.*
- Gradually add half of the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix just until combined, then lower the mixer to low speed and slowly pour in the milk while the mixer is still running. Beat just until combined.
- Then add the remaining dry ingredients and beat just until combined; do not overmix!
- Pour about 1/2 of the batter into the bottom of the prepared loaf pan. Use a silicone spatula to spread out the batter to the edges and corners.
- Spoon the apple mixture on top and spread out evenly.
- Pour the remaining batter on top and gently use a silicone spatula to spread the batter out to the edges and corners.
- Bake at 350°F for for 60-75 minutes. After about 30 minutes, you can loosely cover with aluminum foil to help prevent the top from getting too brown.
- The bread is done with a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. This can take anywhere from 60 to 75 minutes, so be sure to check on it regularly for doneness after one hour.
- Once fully baked, remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely. Once cooled, slice and serve.
Notes
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