Description
This moist and fragrant Apple Bread features finely chopped tart apples combined with warm cinnamon and a tender crumb, topped with a buttery cinnamon sugar mixture. Perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert, this easy-to-make quick bread balances sweetness and spice for a comforting treat.
Ingredients
Scale
For apples and topping
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted (salted or unsalted)
For apple bread
- 1 ½ cups (215 g) finely chopped apples, peeled and cored (about 2 apples)
- 2 ⅓ cups (290 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, firmly packed
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup (170 g) sour cream
- ¼ cup (60 ml) whole milk
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×5-inch bread pan with parchment paper or lightly spray with baking spray for easy removal.
- Make cinnamon sugar and coat apples: In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon. Set aside. Place the finely chopped apples in another bowl, sprinkle with 1 ½ tablespoons of the cinnamon sugar mixture, and stir to coat evenly. Set both mixtures aside.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, remaining granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until combined.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl or large measuring cup, whisk melted butter, sour cream, whole milk, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Mix batter: Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and gently fold together with a wooden spoon or spatula until just mostly combined—do not overmix.
- Add apples: Fold in the cinnamon-coated apples until evenly distributed throughout the batter without overmixing.
- Prepare for baking: Pour the batter into the prepared bread pan and smooth the top evenly.
- Add topping: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and drizzle it evenly over the top of the batter. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture over the buttered top to create a sweet and spiced crust.
- Bake: Place the bread pan on a foil or parchment-lined baking sheet to catch any drips, then transfer to the center rack of the preheated oven. Bake for 65-70 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and serve: Allow the apple bread to cool in the pan for at least one hour before carefully removing it and transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- Apples: Use firm, tart to somewhat tart apples for best flavor and texture; Granny Smith and Gala are excellent choices.
- Storage: Wrap the bread tightly or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 352
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 352 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 74 mg
