Description
This Cinnamon Apple Bread is a moist and flavorful quick bread perfect for breakfast or a snack. Filled with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, tender chopped apples, and a hint of vanilla, this bread offers a delightful autumn-inspired taste. Optional nuts add a pleasant crunch, making each slice deliciously satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Additional Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups peeled and finely chopped apples (about 2 medium apples)
- Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a creamy base for the batter.
- Add Eggs and Dairy: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated. Then mix in the sour cream and vanilla extract until smooth, which adds moisture and flavor to the batter.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the bread.
- Fold in Apples and Nuts: Carefully fold in the chopped apples and, if using, nuts to evenly distribute without breaking them down.
- Transfer to Pan and Smooth: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula for even baking.
- Bake the Bread: Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 50–60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—it should come out clean when done.
- Cool Before Slicing: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes to set, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, sprinkle a cinnamon-sugar mixture on top before baking.
- This bread freezes well—wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
