Apple Cinnamon Bread
Still no chocolate or copious amounts of butter or sugar to be found in the Brown Eyed Baker kitchen. I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m still operating in non-sweets mode over here. After the oatmeal muffins yesterday, I continued on with this ah-mazing quick bread recipe. Seriously amazing. As with just about all quick bread recipes, this one is, well, quick. Which is a welcome break after clocking some serious kitchen time over the holidays. The bread is tremendously moist, has awesome apple flavor thanks to both the chopped apples and applesauce in the batter, and last but not least – the topping. This bread gets a serious dousing of a cinnamon/sugar combo on top to create a fabulous crust. It all makes for, hands-down, one of the absolute best quick breads I have ever had.
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Granny Smith is the recommended apple for this recipe, but I think just about any would work. I’m always a big fan of using what you have on hand, so whatever your favorite apple variety is, go for it!
I can personally attest to this bread being perfect for breakfast, a snack and dessert. I haven’t attempted it for lunch or dinner, but I’m certain it would more than qualify for those meals as well. Also, I’m very tempted to toast a piece of this and smear some peanut butter on it. Because I can’t help myself with the peanut butter. I just can’t. You know this. Forgive me. But I seriously think this bread + peanut butter could be an amazing invention. Tomorrow morning, it’s on.
One year ago: Rugelach
Three years ago: Quintuple Chocolate Brownies
Apple Cinnamon Bread
Ingredients
For the Bread
- 1½ cups (187.5 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) salt
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) ground cloves
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup (56 ml) canola oil
- ¼ cup (61 ml) applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 2 cups (250 g) peeled and chopped apples, about 1½ to 2 apples
For the Topping
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8x4-inch loaf pan, line the bottom with parchment paper, then grease the parchment paper; set the pan aside.
- In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, allspice and cloves. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the eggs on medium speed for about 30 seconds. Add in the oil, applesauce and vanilla and mix until smooth. Next, add the sugar and mix until well-combined.
- With the mixer on low speed, gradually add in the flour mixture and mix until the flour is just barely combined. Gently fold in the apples with a rubber spatula. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- In a small bowl mix together the brown sugar, granulated sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over the batter in the loaf pan. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until the loaf is golden and a thin knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the bread in the pan for 10 minutes, then run a dull knife around the sides of the loaf and turn it out on a cooling rack, remove the parchment paper and place right-side up. Cool completely before slicing. Wrap leftover loaf in plastic wrap and store at room temperature.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
I just made this today- delicious, moist, I love the sugary coating. :)
Mmmm. This looks like a great breakfast bread! I love the apple chunks!
I made this bread this morning and it was awesome! Crispy and sweet on the outside…moist and delicious on the inside…very nice! The only thing I noticed is that the vanilla isn’t listed with the ingredients (though it is called out in the steps so it’s all good). Thanks for sharing this recipe. I love your blog!
Hi Chris, My apologies about the vanilla. I have updated the recipe above, but the amount is 1 teaspoon.
At our house, apple cake is always a huge hit. So naturally, any apple cake recipe is very welcome! Good luck with your peanut butter experiment ;)
This bread is in the oven and if the batter is any indication it is going to be phenomenal. I vegan-ized it by subbing 2 tbsp of unsweetened applesauce in place of the egg so it might need to cook just a tad longer, but I can’t wait. Thanks for posting this!
Oh man if I would have JUST waited a “day”!!! I made Cinnamon bread yesterday…it was a BOMB (not in a good way!) in my house…no one liked it but the apples and that awesome cinnamon, sugar topping would have made ALL the difference…ugh – and YES, I agree with you as I was making it yesterday I thought, what about adding peanut butter…lol.
This recipe was a huge hit! Yum, I’ll definitely make it again. Love the fresh apples in it and I’m always looking for a place to use my homemade applesauce.
Mmm, this would be so wonderful to wake up to on a weekend morning. It looks delicious, Michelle. Thanks for sharing!
This sounds like the perfect quick bread to go along with an afternoon cup of tea. Love the cinnamon sugar crust!
I am a big fan of home-baked breads of deliciousness. My mom always made zucchini, banana, or pumkin, but never apple! Great idea!
A bread perfect for this time of year. I make a bundt cake similar to this, and it’s amazing — kind of like Amish friendship bread meets tea cake. So moist and apple-cinnamon-y.
Cheers,
*Heather*
This apple bread just looks so healthy! My husband would love this!
wowee – think i’ll make this for breakfast tomorrow! YUM!
You couldn’t have hit my cravings more spot on! This bread is exactly what I wish I had for breakfast right this minute! Sigh, maybe tomorrow :)
This bread sounds perfect – no need for chocolate or copious butter and sugar! Apple and cinnamon are such a classic combination but now that I think of it I’ve never tried them as the main flavors in a quick bread. Those hunks of apple and a cinnamon sugar topping grabbed me immediately!
I could definitely eat my fair share of this fab looking bread!!
So glad you liked the bread!
The bread looks amazing. So moist and filled with apples.
I am also not into sweets lately. The container with the Puppy Chow just sits there staring at me, same with the chocolate covered whole grain krispy treats. No interest whatsoever. The only baking interest is either low calorie OR whole grain for my son. Anything to get more nutrients into his long & lean body.
Thanks for all the wonderful recipes.
honestly? My kitchen is in full savory mode too!! I’m cookie-d and cake-d out! HOwever, I did wake up with a yen for baking something today…something not too sweet, but just enough to ease back into the whole homemade baked goods thing…:) This looks perfect.
love,
cathy b. @ brightbakes
I wonder if one could use apple butter in place of the apple sauce? I have a jar in the pantry that needs attention!
Hi Kathy, Hmmm good question. I think apple butter has more of a consistency of peanut butter, but you could always give it a try. Let me know how it goes!
I love peanut butter toast for breakfast! It’s been my go-to choice for weeks now. I’m definitely going to have to give this recipe a shot. It just looks soooo good. Thanks for sharing!
I love apple bread with the big chunks of fruit like this. It’s such a fun variation on the usual quick breads…and especially so fun with freshly-picked apples in the fall :) Thanks for sharing your recipe.
I love the actualy chunks of apple instead of just using applesauce in the loaf – this looks hearty without me feeling guilt-ridden after eating a slice. I love apple cinnamon combos, so I know this bread would be a new favorite of mine!
mmmm…cinnamon, apples, and sugar, sounds delish! and one of my food goals is to bake more bread so perfect!
I love any baked good loaded with chunks of apples! This looks terrific, saving the recipe!
Mmm this bread looks perfect!!
I love apple-based breads. This looks delicious.
Glad to see I’m not the only one detoxing after the holidays!! :-P
Wonderful timing. I was just looking are a few apples and trying to think what I was going to do with them….I’m making bread!
I’ve yet to try making apple cinnamon bread, but I know I’d love it. Another great recipe to add my to growing list!
One of my favourite combinations! Apple and cinnamon- yum!