Description
This Best Homemade Apple Bread is a moist and flavorful loaf loaded with tender diced apples and swirled with a cinnamon-sugar mixture for a perfect balance of sweetness and spice. Ideal for breakfast or a cozy snack, it combines simple ingredients with easy steps for a delightful homemade treat.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup melted unsalted butter
- ½ cup milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
Filling and Topping
- 1 ½ cups peeled diced apple (about one medium Granny Smith apple)
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease an 8 ½ x 4 ½-inch loaf pan thoroughly and line the bottom with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Using a stand mixer with paddle attachment or hand beaters, beat the eggs and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and creamy, which should take about 2 minutes. Add the melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is evenly combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed to avoid overworking the batter. Once combined, gently fold in the diced apples.
- Prepare Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture: In another small bowl, mix the brown sugar with the ground cinnamon thoroughly to create a flavorful swirl.
- Layer Batter and Cinnamon-Sugar: Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan and evenly sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over it. Add the remaining batter and top with the rest of the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Create Swirl: Insert a butter knife into the batter and drag it through the pan in a single zigzag motion to create a cinnamon swirl effect. Be careful to do this only once to keep the distinct layers intact.
- Bake the Bread: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 55 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean or with just a few crumbs, but no wet batter.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, carefully run a knife around the edges to release it from the pan. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving. Enjoy your homemade apple bread!
Notes
- Use a sharp knife to dice the apple evenly for consistent texture in the bread.
- Granny Smith apples are recommended for their tartness, which balances the sweetness of the bread.
- Make sure to not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to keep the bread tender.
- This bread is best served fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- You can add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra texture if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
