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.
Save This Recipe
Enter your email address, and we'll send it straight to your inbox!
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!
Made this a few weeks ago, and although I never had any (it was a thank you gift) I have heard how good it was. So easy to make and the house smelled wonderfully! The recipient wants the recipe because her husband loves apple bread, this one , in particular, so am going to make it again today.
I was wondering have you ever done this in muffins?
I”m gonna try this out on my sunday school class, we eat breakfast in class!! I”m always looking to try new breads!!
Lookingforward to the yummieness!! =)
Hi Mary, I haven’t tried making this into muffins, but I bet they would be delicious! Enjoy!
I’m very excited to try this recipe…looks delicious! I’m just wondering why it doesn’t have milk or buttermilk in it like a banana bread? How does it change the texture without it? After trying your mocha cupcakes with espresso buttercream, I can’t wait to try more recipes. They were a hit at work…people were begging for the recipe!! Thanks in advance!
Hi Melissa, A lot of quick breads use canola or vegetable oil instead of a buttermilk for the liquid, just a case of recipe preference. The texture isn’t changed – both create a moist bread.
Hi, this recipe looks fabulous and would love to try it using muffin tins. I have a 6 year old boy who is diabetic and its so much easier measuring the carbs if I am using a muffin tin. Do you think this would work?
Hi Michele, I don’t see why not. I would just start checking for doneness around 15 minutes or so, just to make sure you don’t overbake them.
I am a bread eater all the way. My normal breakfast is toast with butter, or English muffins with butter. I have been wanting to make muffins for a quick breakfast and had some apples on hand, and searching apple quick bread brought me to your website. I am so glad, this is the best apple cinnamon quick bread I’ve tried, and your other recipes are perfect for what I usually have on hand. I am making your american sandwich bread recipe as we speak!
Wow! This bread was amazing…the best I’ve ever made! Moist in the middle with a nice bit of a crust on the edge. I love it! I will certainly be making this when guests come over too! This is the first recipe I’ve made from your blog and now that I’ve looked at what you have to offer… I can’t wait to try your other recipes as they look fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing!
Just made this for the last camping trip of the year-this weekend. Just wondering if anyone has frozen it ?
Hi Angela, Yes, it freezes wonderfully! Wrap in plastic wrap, then foil, and place in a freezer bag. Should be good for a couple of months.
Made this bread today. By far the best apple bread I have ever made! Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
I replaced a little over half the oil with more apple sauce and half the flour with whole wheat flour and IT IS AWESOME. go make it. like right now. It’s bakery good.
I just made this bread and it smelled and tasted delicious. I used yogurt instead of applesauce. Thanks for the recipe :)
I made this tonight and it was Amaaazing! Thanks for another great recipe.
Great recipe! I couldn’t wait to try it and HAD TO EAT the first slice though the apple bread was still warm. The only thing, I don’t like that much is the oil in the dough. I think I try melted butter next time.
Thanks for that yumyum recipe! I love it …. and this blog, by the way!
Greatings from Germany
Carolin
I made this bread this weekend. Pretty awesome. The cinnamon/sugar crust is such a nice touch! The amt of vanilla was not listed in the recipe, I assumed it was a tsp. It turned out wonderfully.
Yummy! I made this off of the Two Peas and their Pod website a couple of months ago, this post reminds me that I want to make it again!!
Just made this today while kids were home for a snow day. DELICIOUS!!!!! My house smells wonderful. The bread is crisp on the outside and moist on the inside. The whole family loves it. Thank you!
Your website rocks! This is the second recipe going on my to do list.
I favorited your blog, and will definitely be checking back in.
Cheers,
John
This bread looks fabulous, and I love that it isn’t super sweet. I will add this to my list to bake as soon as I can get back in the kitchen!
I love a good quick bread! This one sounds great, apple is my favorite!
That bread looks perfect for any time of the day! Beautiful loaf!
A slight smathering of cream cheese would be awesone with this!
We had a snowday today and made this bread! It was fabulous! Keep up the great work!
Chunks of apples in bread looks AMAZING!!!! You always have the best recipes :)
Loving the big huge apple chunks!
This looks terrific! I’ve been trying to eat more fruit in the new year to curb sugar cravings. Well, “trying” at least.
Made the bread this weekend. Moist and delicious! Plus it smelled so good baking. Great recipe, thanks!
Wow, this looks incredible! I’m a complete bread addict and love quickbreads since I’m not always all that patient.
How much vanilla should be added? It calls for it to be mixed with the apple sauce and canola oil bu tthe measurement is not noted…
Hi Stefanie, 1 teaspoon. Sorry about that, I fixed it above.
This looks wonderful! Love the big chunks of apple in there!
Yum!!! This bread is soooo good! My picky 5 year old could barely wait for it to cool before having some…he’s already downed 3 slices! Thanks for the great recipe!
Beautiful photos! I love love love apple breads. This looks amazing