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Moist Cinnamon Apple Bread with Brown Sugar Swirl

Close-up of two moist slices of cinnamon swirl apple bread on a white plate.
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Make this moist apple bread featuring fresh apples, warm spices, and a rich brown sugar cinnamon swirl. It is a simple quick bread perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a cozy fall dessert.

Ingredients

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  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce or 1 cup finely grated fresh apples (like Granny Smith)
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup chopped fresh apples (peeled or unpeeled)
  • For the Swirl: 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • For the Swirl: 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • For the Glaze (Optional): 1 cup powdered sugar
  • For the Glaze (Optional): 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a standard 9×5 inch loaf pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set this dry mixture aside.
  3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step builds texture for your tender crumb apple bread.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. Alternate adding the dry ingredient mixture and the milk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix only until just combined; do not overmix.
  6. Gently fold in the 1 cup of chopped fresh apples.
  7. Prepare the swirl: In a small bowl, mix the 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon until combined.
  8. Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the entire cinnamon-sugar swirl mixture evenly over the batter. Top with the remaining batter.
  9. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the layers together a few times. Do not over-swirl.
  10. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top begins to brown too quickly, loosely tent it with foil after 40 minutes.
  11. Let the apple bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes before carefully turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  12. If using the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled loaf.

Notes

  • For the moistest results, use finely grated fresh apples instead of applesauce. If using grated apple, gently squeeze out excess moisture before adding it to the batter.
  • This sweet spiced loaf freezes well. Wrap the cooled, unglazed loaf tightly in plastic wrap and then foil for up to three months.
  • If you prefer an apple streusel bread, skip the swirl and top the batter with a mixture of 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup cold cubed butter, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon before baking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://completelyyummy.com/moist-cinnamon-apple-bread-with-brown-sugar-swirl/