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Moist Apple Cinnamon Bread with Brown Sugar Swirl

Close-up of a slice of moist apple bread with a visible cinnamon swirl and golden-brown crust.
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This recipe creates a moist apple bread packed with fresh apples and warm cinnamon spice, featuring a rich brown sugar swirl. It is a simple quick bread perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a cozy autumn dessert.

Ingredients

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  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, plus 1/4 cup for swirl
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 cups peeled and chopped fresh apples (about 3 medium apples)
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
  • For the Swirl: 1/4 cup brown sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • For the Glaze (Optional): 1 cup powdered sugar mixed with 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set this aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and the milk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry mixture. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
  6. Gently fold in the chopped apples and nuts, if using.
  7. Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the reserved 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon mixture evenly over the batter. Top with the remaining batter.
  8. Use a knife to gently swirl the top layer to create a pattern.
  9. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  10. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  11. If using the glaze, whisk the powdered sugar and milk until smooth, then drizzle over the cooled bread.

Notes

  • To keep your apple bread moist, use fresh, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith. The moisture from the apples helps keep the crumb tender.
  • Do not overmix the batter once you add the flour. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough loaf instead of a tender crumb bread.
  • This bread is excellent for breakfast or as an apple snack cake.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/moist-cinnamon-apple-bread-recipe/