Sweet and Spiced Homemade Apple Bread Recipe
This classic homemade apple bread recipe is packed with sweet apple and cinnamon flavors, perfect as a cozy treat. It features finely diced apples mixed into a tender batter and baked to a moist finish. Leftovers freeze well, and the flavor improves if allowed to rest overnight. Ideal for breakfast or snack time, it can also be topped with your favorite icing or glaze.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 10 – 14 slices
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups flour (spelt, white, or oat)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 cup sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 2 cups finely diced apple
- 1 cup milk of choice
- 3 1/2 tbsp oil or applesauce
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Cinnamon Mix: You can add the cinnamon directly with the dry ingredients, or for a more visually appealing swirl, mix 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon into 2 tablespoons of the milk and hold this mixture aside to swirl into the batter before baking.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly stir together the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, cinnamon (unless using the swirl method), and sugar to ensure even distribution.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the diced apples, milk, oil or applesauce, and vanilla extract to the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix everything gently to form a smooth batter without overmixing.
- Swirl Cinnamon Mixture: If you prepared the cinnamon-milk mixture earlier, drizzle it over the batter in the pan and use a knife or skewer to gently swirl it through the batter for a marbled effect.
- Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan, smoothing the top, and bake for approximately 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for several minutes before removing it to a wire rack. For best flavor and texture, cover with a cloth and let it rest overnight before slicing and serving. Optionally, frost with your favorite icing or a simple glaze.
- Storage and Freezing: Leftover slices can be stored wrapped at room temperature for a few days or frozen for longer storage. Thaw before serving.
Notes
- Choose your preferred flour type: spelt, white, or oat flour work well.
- Use either oil or applesauce to keep the bread moist and slightly healthier if using applesauce.
- Adding cinnamon to milk and swirling gives a decorative touch and boosts cinnamon flavor.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender.
- Allowing the bread to rest overnight improves flavor and texture.
- Optional: Top with icing or glaze for added sweetness.
- Freezing leftover slices preserves freshness for longer periods.
