Cinnamon Sugar Swirled Apple Butter Bread Recipe

If you’re a fan of cozy fall flavors and tender, delicious bread, then this Cinnamon Sugar Swirled Apple Butter Bread Recipe is going to make your kitchen smell amazing and your taste buds sing. Whether you’re baking for a lazy weekend breakfast or an afternoon snack with tea, this bread has that perfect balance of cinnamon sweetness, tangy apple butter, and creamy swirls of cream cheese that I absolutely love. Trust me, once you try it, it’ll quickly become a family favorite you keep coming back to.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this Cinnamon Sugar Swirled Apple Butter Bread, you’ll want fresh, quality ingredients that blend together seamlessly — from the sweet apples to the warm cinnamon, plus a touch of richness from cream cheese and butter.

• Granulated sugar: For that essential sweetness and to mix with cinnamon for the swirl topping.
• Cinnamon: Don’t skimp on this — it’s the star spice for that cozy warmth.
• Melted coconut oil: I love this for a subtle depth and moist crumb; you can substitute with melted butter if you prefer.
• Apple butter: Adds intense apple flavor and natural sweetness, making this bread sing with fall vibes.
• Yogurt or sour cream: Keeps the bread super moist and tender; Greek yogurt works great too if you want richness.
• Large egg: For structure and richness — at room temperature for best mixing.
• Vanilla extract: Just a splash to elevate all the flavors.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and pairs beautifully with the apple and cinnamon.
• Milk: To loosen the batter just enough; whole or 2% milk works well.
• All-purpose or whole wheat pastry flour: The base of the bread; whole wheat pastry flour adds nuttiness without being dense.
• Baking soda: Gives your bread a nice rise and light texture.
• Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Honeycrisp apples, chopped: I prefer Honeycrisp for their sweet-tart balance and crisp texture that holds up well in baking.
• Cream cheese, at room temperature: For those luscious swirls that melt perfectly into the batter.
• Salted butter, at room temperature: Used in the honey butter for spreading; room temperature ensures easy mixing.
• Extra honey: To sweeten the honey butter and drizzle if you want an extra touch of sweetness when serving.

Variations

I enjoy switching things up depending on the season or what I have on hand. Feel free to play with this Cinnamon Sugar Swirled Apple Butter Bread Recipe to make it your own and suit your taste buds.

• Nutty Twist: I once added chopped pecans on top of the apple layer for crunch — my family loved the extra texture.
• Dairy-Free Version: Swap the cream cheese for a vegan cream cheese and use coconut yogurt to keep it moist and allergy-friendly.
• Spice Up: Adding a pinch of nutmeg or ground cloves in the cinnamon sugar swirl gives it that extra festive punch.
• Fruit Swap: When apples run out, diced pears or even peaches work surprisingly well in this recipe.

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Swirled Apple Butter Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Mix Your Dry and Wet Ingredients

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your 9×5 inch bread pan well — I love using butter for that rich flavor. In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon; this mix will create the signature swirl and topping later on. Next, in a large bowl, whisk together your melted coconut oil, apple butter, honey, yogurt (or sour cream), egg, vanilla extract, and milk until everything’s nicely combined. Then, fold in the flour, baking soda, and kosher salt until just mixed — don’t overmix or the bread might get tough!

Step 2: Layer, Swirl, and Apple It Up

Pour half of your batter into the prepared pan and spread it out gently. Now the fun part: dollop teaspoon-sized spoonfuls of that soft cream cheese all over the batter. Grab a sharp paring knife and gently swirl the cream cheese through the batter — this is what creates those gorgeous ribbons of creamy goodness. Next, spread the chopped Honeycrisp apples evenly over the cream cheese layer. Sprinkle half of your cinnamon sugar mixture on top of the apples, then gently spoon the remaining batter over everything. It’s fine if the apples peek through a bit; that’s part of the charm! Finally, sprinkle the rest of the cinnamon sugar mixture on top for that sweet, crunchy finish.

Step 3: Bake and Make Honey Butter

Pop your pan in the oven and bake for 55-65 minutes. Around halfway through baking, I like to cover the bread loosely with foil to prevent the top from getting too dark—this little trick keeps the crust from burning but allows the bread to cook through beautifully. While it bakes, mix together the softened salted butter, honey, and a pinch of salt to create the luscious honey butter that’s perfect for spreading on slices warm from the oven.

Step 4: Cool, Slice, and Enjoy

Once your bread is done, give it time to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before slicing — this helps everything set and makes cutting cleaner slices easier. Serve warm with that homemade honey butter melting on top, and get ready for some serious compliments.

How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Swirled Apple Butter Bread Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple by adding a dollop of honey butter or even a light dusting of powdered sugar on the slices. Sometimes a smear of soft cream cheese on top makes it extra creamy and indulgent. Fresh apple slices or a sprinkle of chopped toasted nuts can add a nice crunch and fresh element.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs beautifully with hot tea or coffee for breakfast or afternoon snack. For brunch, try serving it alongside scrambled eggs, a light green salad, or even a bowl of spiced yogurt with granola for a balanced meal. The sweetness of the bread contrasts nicely with anything savory.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like to serve this bread on a wooden board lined with parchment, with small bowls of honey butter, whipped cream cheese, and fresh fruit around it so guests can customize their slices. It also looks stunning stacked on a tiered dessert stand, making it a centerpiece as well as a treat!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually wrap leftover bread tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays moist and fresh for 2-3 days — though in my house, it disappears faster than that!

Freezing

This bread freezes beautifully. Just slice it before freezing, then separate the slices with parchment paper in a freezer bag. When you want a quick treat, pop a slice out and thaw or toast it directly from frozen.

Reheating

I warm slices in a toaster oven or microwave for about 20 seconds until just warmed through. Adding a little extra honey butter on top right after warming makes it taste freshly baked all over again.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

What I adore most about this Cinnamon Sugar Swirled Apple Butter Bread Recipe is how it feels like a warm hug in bread form. It’s the kind of treat that makes your kitchen smell fantastic and your loved ones gather around the table with happy faces. If you love comforting, flavorful baked goods with a bit of sweetness and tang, this one is a must-try. Honestly, it’s become my go-to for weekend baking, and I can’t wait for you to try it and love it as much as I do.

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