Description
This Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf is a moist and flavorful bread perfect for breakfast or dessert. Packed with finely chopped apples and a delicious cinnamon sugar swirl, it offers a tender crumb with a sweet, spiced bite. Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients, this loaf combines the warmth of cinnamon and the freshness of apples for a comforting treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups peeled and finely chopped apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon until evenly combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil (or melted butter), unsweetened applesauce, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Add Apples and Milk: Fold in the finely chopped apples along with the 2 tablespoons of milk to the batter, ensuring even distribution without overworking the batter.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Swirl: In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1 teaspoon of cinnamon with 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar.
- Layer Batter and Cinnamon Sugar: Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over the batter, then pour the remaining batter on top. Using a knife or skewer, gently swirl the batter to create a marbled cinnamon effect.
- Bake the Loaf: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Before Serving: Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing to maintain texture and flavor.
Notes
- You can add chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for extra texture and a nutty flavor.
- For a heartier loaf, substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
