Cinnamon Apple Bread

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This Quick Cinnamon Apple Bread recipe is easy to prepare and ultimately delicious with the perfect touch of sugar, spice and everything nice!! This moist and tender apple loaf is bursting with chunks of real apples, overflowing with warming cinnamon sugar and filled with a thick, rich layer of cheesecake!! This heavenly quick bread is the perfect indulgence for breakfast, brunch, snack time and dessert!

Hello, friends! Happy October! But really, anyone else alarmed to realize we are now in the 10^th month of the year?! Seriously, where does time go?! I won’t lie, it gives me moderate to severe anxiety just thinking about how quickly the holidays are approaching. I need a hug. Or, more like all the carbs!

In case you too are in need of a sweet treat, I’ve got you! Trust and believe, you are going to want to make this sinfully delicious bread on repeat all season long!

About this quick apple bread

This fall flavored bread is nothing short of HEAVENLY BLISS.

This apple loaf is moist, fluffy, overflowing with tender chunks of real apples and speckled with inviting cinnamon spice! To take things to the next level of yum, it’s filled with a thick ribbon of rich cream cheese and generously sprinkled with a cinnamon sugar topping! This apple bread is slightly savory with the perfect amount of sweetness, plus a subtle tang and a beautifully tender crumb! Basically, it’s spectacularly delicious and the end all, be all of apple breads.

Apple bread is perfect with your cup of coffee or tea in the morning, mid-afternoon when you need a little sweet treat, or you can enjoy it for dessert! I highly recommend smothering it with some honey butter if you want to go all in!

Seriously, it is worth every single calorie and then some, my dear friends!

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Deliciously flavorful! This homemade apple bread is heavenly delicious! It’s so moist and tender, yet dense and bursting with warming cinnamon flavor and chunks of fresh apples!
• Cheesecake layer! Is there anything better than a thick, rich, velvety, decadent layer of cheesecake running through your bread!? I think not!
• Pantry Staples and Easy to find ingredients! This recipe requires common pantry staples along with three easy to find ingredients (apples, cream cheese and Greek yogurt!)
• Perfect way to enjoy or use up leftover apples! This bread is the perfect way to use up your apple haul from the orchard or Farmer’s Market!
• Simple and fast to make! This sweet quick bread recipe is straightforward and easy to prepare!
• Customizable! You can customize this recipe to your taste! Try adding in some walnuts or drizzling your loaf with a sweet glaze!
• Anytime Recipe! This bread is perfect for any (and every) occasion! Try enjoying it with a cup of coffee for breakfast, lightly toast it and slathered with honey butter or apple butter at snack time, or drizzle a slice with sticky caramel sauce for dessert!

What is apple bread?

Apple bread, also known as apple loaf, is quick bread made with real apples, sugar and warming spices, such as cinnamon. Since apple bread is a quick bread, versus a yeast bread, it is leavened with baking powder and baking soda, instead of yeast. Apple bread is typically tender in texture with a sweet and savory flavor.

If you’re looking for more therapeutic weekend baking recipes, try these delicious recipes next: New York Style Bagels, Cheese Danish Puff Pastry, and Lemon Blueberry Bars.

Ingredients for apples bread

This quick bread is made with pantry staples along with three common ingredients you may already have on hand, including apples, cream cheese and Greek yogurt!

(Please see below for substitutions and variations! And, scroll down to the bottom of the post for the precise quantities of ingredients, along with the full instructions. )

• Sugars: A combination of granulated sugar and light brown sugar gives this apple bread it’s sweet, rich flavor!
• Yogurt: Greek yogurt adds a delicious, subtle tang and helps keep the bread fluffy and moist! Make sure you use full-fat Greek yogurt for the best results!
• Eggs: Two large eggs help bind the ingredients and keeps the batter moist! I like to let my eggs sit on the counter for at least 30 minutes while I gather my baking utensils and measure my ingredients.
• Extract: Pure vanilla extract adds a touch of warm flavor! Use a good quality pure vanilla extract for the richest flavor.
• Flour: All-purpose flour provides a foundation, helping the bread batter remain thick and sturdy.
• Seasonings: Cinnamon adds a touch of warm, inviting flavor. And kosher salt helps balance out the sweetness while also enhancing all the flavors.
• Apples: You will need one large apple for this bread. I like to use a Granny Smith because the tart flavor beautifully balances and complements the sweet flavors in this bread! (See below for a guide on the best apple varieties for baking!)
• Cream Cheese: Use full fat cream cheese softened to room temperature for the best results! Remove your cream cheese from the refrigerator when you take out your eggs!

Substitutions and Variations

Do you want to make a few changes or additions to this bread? Great – I totally encourage you to make this cinnamon apple quick bread recipe your own!! You can get as creative as you like, or simply eliminate the ingredients you don’t love and substitute them for the ones you do! Below are a few ideas to help get your creative juices flowing!

Substitutions

• Yogurt: I like to use Greek yogurt to add a bit of protein while also cutting some of the calories and fat. However, you can absolutely substitute full-fat sour cream if you prefer!
• Gluten-Free: For gluten-free apple bread, swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour – just make sure you use a brand that can be substituted in a 1:1 ratio for regular flour!

Variations

• Nuts: If you like a crunchy element in your bread, try adding your favorite roasted nuts to the bread batter! Either almonds, walnuts or pecans will work great – just make sure to give them a rough chop first!
• Raisins: If you love cinnamon raisin bread, try stirring a 1/4 cup of raisins into the batter!
• Dates: Do you prefer dates over raisins? Try adding chopped dates to the bater instead!
• Seasonings: I really love to play around with the seasonings in this recipe, depending upon what I have on hand in my pantry! Apple pie spice, allspice, ginger and nutmeg are all wonderful options!
• Streusel: If you love sweet, crumbly streusel you can generously top the bread batter with your favorite streusel before baking! (You may need to keep an eye on the bread and lightly tent it with tin foil to prevent the streusel from over-browning towards the end of baking!)

How to make cinnamon apple bread

If you aren’t a fan of cream cheese, or you simply do not want a ribbon of cheesecake throughout the bread, just omit it.

1. Preheat Oven: Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Prepare the cream cheese filling: Add all the ingredients for the cream cheese filling to a medium bowl. Whisk or use a hand-held mixer and beat until completely combined. Set aside in the refrigerator.
3. Prepare the topping:  In a small bowl stir together sugar and cinnamon.
4. Prepare the wet ingredients:   In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, yogurt, eggs and vanilla until well combined.
5. Prepare the dry ingredients:  In a separate medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
6. Mix the dry and wet ingredients:  Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Whisk together until roughly combined and then switch to a spatula and fold until ingredients are well combined. The mixture should be thick.
7. Add the apples.  Add the apples to the bowl. Use a spatula to gently fold apples into the batter. Set aside.
8. Add batter to prepared pan in layers:  Turn about 2/3rds of the batter into prepared loaf pan. Use a spatula to lightly smooth the top and push batter into corners and sides. Evenly pour the cream cheese filling mixture over the bread, lightly smoothing the top and pushing the filling into the corners and sides. Top with the remaining 1/3^rd of batter, smoothing the top lightly as to not disturb the cream cheese layer. Sprinkle the top with cinnamon sugar mixture.
9. Bake:  Bake in preheated oven for 55 to 65 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. (If the top starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover with foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking).
10. Cool and serve:  Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes. Turn out the bread onto wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Expert tips for the best success!

1. Customize it: You can easily customize the flavor of this bread to your liking by adding spices and nuts! (Scroll up for delicious variation and customization ideas!) 
2. Don’t over-mix the batter: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, make sure you mix the ingredients until the are just combined! Over-mixing the batter will cause the bread to be dense, dry and tough!
3. Baking: Try to avoid over or under-baking your bread! Oven temperature can greatly vary, so make sure you use a toothpick to test the bread for doneness. Insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf, if the toothpick comes out clean (a few crumbs is fine), then the bread is done baking.
4. Cool the loaf: You must allow the bread to cool completely to room temperature before slicing! Slicing the loaf warm will cause the cream cheese to ooze!

Step-by-step photos: making this recipe at home

Serving quick apple loaf

This homemade cinnamon apple bread is incredibly versatile! It’s perfect for every occasion – from breakfast on the go or elegant brunch spreads to afternoon snacks and easy sweet desserts!

While some baked goods are best warm straight from the oven, this quick bread with apples is best at room temperature or slightly toasted in the oven.

You can serve this sweet and savory apple bread plain or enjoy it with soft butter, caramel, apple butter, nut butter and ice cream! (See below for more delicious serving ideas!)

What to serve with it

Hearty cinnamon apple loaf is filling enough to serve as a stand-along breakfast, snack or dessert. However, you can also drizzle the bread with a glaze, smear it with your favorite butter or jam or serve it as part of a delicious breakfast spread! Below are just a few of my family’s favorite pairing ideas for this bread!

The best toppings, sauces and smears for bread

• Honey Butter: Creamy, sweet honey butter is a delicious spread for this bread!
• Cinnamon Sugar: This bread is already dusted with cinnamon sugar before baking; however, you can also sprinkle on more before serving!
• Caramel Sauce: Caramel and apples is a classic pairing! Try drizzling your favorite caramel sauce over a slice of bread for delicious twist on caramel apples!
• Vanilla Glaze: You can easily jazz up this apple loaf by adding a glaze! Just make sure you add the glaze after the bread has completely cooled to room temperature!
• Apple Butter: If you are looking for a cozy, fall eating experience, try generously smearing a slice of lightly toasted apple bread with glossy apple butter!

10 delicious pairing options

• Fresh Fruit: Fresh fruit is a great way to balance this decadent bread! I personally love the combination of apple bread with fresh apple slices, a handful of dates, and a few dollops of nut butter! However, macerated fruits, like apricots, blackberries, cherries, pears and plums all pair beautifully with apples.
• Cottage Cheese: Try keeping this on the light and healthy side by serving your bread with a cup of creamy cottage cheese. Try adding a dollop of jam for burst of sticky, fruity flavor.
• Yogurt: If you aren’t a fan of cottage cheese, try serving your bread with your favorite flavor of whipped yogurt. I love blackberry Greek yogurt as a side with this bread.
• Nuts: A bag of heart-healthy nuts or candied nuts are the perfect option if you want a complete grab-and-go breakfast.
• Granola: Crunchy granola offers a delicious textural contrast to this tender bread.
• Oats or Oatmeal: Creamy oatmeal or overnight oats are a great option if you want a super hearty and filling mea.
• Eggs: Add some protein to your meal by pairing this bread with your favorite style of eggs.
• Pork: If you are a meat eater, this bread with apples pairs fantastically with maple sausage! However, it’s also delicious with ham or crisp candy bacon.
• Ice Cream: If you want to serve this bread as dessert, it pairs perfectly with a few scoops of your favorite ice cream. I love lightly toasting a slice of bread and topping it with a scoop of butter pecan ice cream!
• Apple Cider or Cider Cocktails: A cup of warm apple cider or a cider cocktail and a slice of cinnamon apple bread are the perfect cozy pairing and a great way to a long day.

More apple recipes!

Lean into the fall season and serve your apple bread with more apple recipes! Try these fan favorites:

• Belgian Waffles with Apples
• Soup with Apples
• Meatballs with Apples
• Baked Apples Pork Chops
• Pork Tenderloin recipe with Apples

Storing leftovers

After going through the effort of making bread, you want to make sure you store your loaf so it stays as fresh and delicious as the day it was made!

After baking, allow the bread to cool to room temperature before storing. Once cool, place the bread in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

Since the cream cheese filling is baked into the bread, you can store it at room temperature; however, you can also store it in the refrigerator if you prefer.

Cinnamon apple bread will keep in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you don’t plan on eating the entire loaf within a few days of baking, I recommend freezing a portion of it! (See below for freezing this quick bread!)

Freezing instructions

Apple bread freezes beautifully! If you are looking to enjoy this bread at a later date, freezing for longer-term storage is your best bet! 

• Cool completely: Place the bread on a wire rack and allow the loaf to cool completely to room temperature.
• Wrap: Wrap the loaf of bread in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe zip-closure bag. (Double wrapping the bread will ensure no air gets in, preventing freezer burn!
• Freeze: Transfer the loaf to the freezer and store for up to 3 months.
• Thaw: When you are ready to enjoy your bread, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Pro-tip: After cooling the bread, cut the loaf of bread into individual servings (slices). Individually wrap each slice in plastic wrap and store the slices in a freezer bag for grab-and-go breakfasts, snacks and desserts!

Bust out your stretchy-waist pants and get your fall bake on with this Cinnamon Apple Bread. I pinky promise this bread won’t disappoint!

Until Thursday friends, cheers. To therapeutic baking!

Cheyanne

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Recipe testimonials – What people are saying about this recipe

Here’s what readers are saying about this quick bread with fresh apples!

• “This was so good! Definitely going to make again!” – Abby
• “So delicious and flavorful! Thank you!” – Cindy
• “Big hit with my kids!” – Debbie

More sweet recipes with apples!

• Apple Cinnamon Granola
• Apple Cider Baked Donuts
• Apple Bites
• Cake Mix Apple Cake

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