On those days when you don’t feel like making apple pie, turn to this apple bread recipe! The warm flavors will have your house smelling like fall in an instant (and if you’re a cold weather girlie like me, there’s truly nothing better).
This amazing apple bread recipe has been one of my favorite late summer / early fall staples for years. It’s incredibly easy to make and requires one bowl + one loaf pan to make!
Why you’ll love this apple bread recipe
It’s incredibly flavorful. The cinnamon and nutmeg found in this apple cinnamon bread help to give it beautiful, warm flavors that you’ll crave all season long!
It’s so easy to make. When I tell you guys that this is an easy apple bread recipe… I mean it! The apple bread batter comes together in one bowl in less than 10 minutes. While I make my apple bread in a singular loaf pan, you’re able to divide the batter and place in individual mini loaf pans as well.
The texture is perfect. This apple bread is soft on the inside and perfectly crisp on the outside!
Ingredients
For this apple bread, you’ll need:
- Flour – For this apple bread recipe, I used all purpose flour. If you’re after a gluten free apple bread – feel free to use Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Gluten Free Flour. It’s the best gluten free flour I’ve used!
- Sugar – This apple bread recipe calls for both granulated sugar and brown sugar.
- Butter – You’ll need softened butter for this recipe – not melted butter!
- Chopped apples – The type of apples you choose to use is completely up to you, but I typically use Granny Smith. Other great choices are Honeycrisp, Galas, Fuji, and Pink Lady apples!
- Spices – For my apple bread I used freshly grated nutmeg and ground cinnamon!
- Baking powder – Helps the apple bread to rise properly. No baking soda is needed in this apple bread recipe!
- Milk – I really like using Oatly’s Full Fat Oat Milk in my baked goods. It’s a great substitute for whole milk.
- Eggs – Helps to make the apple bread light and fluffy!
That’s all you need to make the most perfect apple cinnamon bread out there! Feel free to add in some walnuts or pure vanilla extract as well. They aren’t needed for this recipe but do add a bit more flavor (and some added texture from the crunch).
You can also add some cinnamon sugar to the top of your apple bread before baking. Or, add some cinnamon sugar to melted butter to spread on the baked apple bread!
How to make apple bread
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a loaf pan with some non-stick spray and set to the side.
Tip: You can also add a bit of parchment paper to your loaf pan to help the apple bread slide out of the pan easier. This step is not necessary (and I very seldom do it) but wanted to pass the tip along!
In a medium sized bowl, add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and softened butter (not melted butter). Beat together with an electric hand mixer until creamy. Add the eggs and beat until incorporated.
Next, add the flour along with the spices (ground cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg). Beat once more and, with the mixer on low, slowly add in the milk until the apple bread batter is just combined. Dice your apple and add it to the apple bread batter and mix it in with a rubber spatula.
Add this mixture to your prepared loaf pan and sprinkle some extra brown sugar and cinnamon to the top of your apple bread if you’d like! Bake for an hour or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove the apple bread from the loaf pan and place on a cooling rack.
Let your loaf cool completely before slicing. This step is so important and will help to give you nice, clean slices. If you cut it warm, it may crumble and fall apart.
Tip – Pop your apple bread into the fridge to cool completely, then slice into it!
Frequently asked questions
Have a question not answered below? Feel free to leave a comment!
What apples are best for baking?
It sort of depends on what you’re baking.
If you’re making apple pie or apple crisp, it’s best to use tart apples. For making breads (like this one) I’ve found that both sweet and tart breads can be used.
I personally believe that Granny Smith apples are the best types of apples to use for this bread recipe.
Is this a quick bread recipe?
It is! Quick breads are made with baking powder and/or baking soda instead of using yeast.
That said, this apple cinnamon bread recipe is classified as a quick bread.
Can I freeze apple bread?
Yes! Feel free to freeze this apple bread in tin foil or plastic wrap for up to 3 months. Just make sure that you let the bread cool completely before freezing!
To enjoy after freezing, bring the apple bread to room temperature on the countertop. Alternatively, you can let the bread thaw overnight in the fridge. Slice and enjoy!
How can I store this apple bread?
This apple bread will last up to three days if stored on the countertop covered in saran wrap. If you place it in saran wrap and put it in the fridge, it’ll last up to six days!
The Best Apple Bread Recipe
If you’re craving all of those warm flavors that Autumn brings, this spiced apple bread will quickly become your bestie. It’s moist, easy to make, and will impress anyone who tries it!
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cooling Time: 1 Hour
- Cook Time: 1 Hour
- Total Time: 2 Hours & 10 Minutes
- Yield: 9 Servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 apple, diced
- 1 TBSP cinnamon
- 1 TBSP brown sugar
- 1 TSP each: ground ginger & ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a loaf pan with some non-stick spray and set to the side for now.
- Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and softened butter (not melted butter) to a medium sized bowl. Beat together with an electric hand mixer until creamy. Add the eggs and beat until incorporated.
- Next, add the flour along with the spices (ground cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg). Beat once more and, with the mixer on low, slowly add in the milk until the apple bread batter is just combined.
- Dice your apple and add it to the apple bread batter and mix it in with a rubber spatula. Add this mixture to your prepared loaf pan and sprinkle some extra brown sugar and cinnamon to the top of your apple bread if you’d like.
- Bake for an hour or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove the apple bread from the loaf pan and place on a cooling rack.
- Let your loaf cool completely before slicing. This step is so important and will help to give you nice, clean slices. If you cut it warm, it may crumble and fall apart.
Notes
Tip – Pop your apple bread into the fridge to cool completely, then slice into it!
