This easy apple bread recipe is a fall favorite. With the cozy warmth of sweet baked apples and cinnamon, it’s an incredible variation of my famous sweet bread recipe. Readers have given it a 4.98 rating, so it’s time you try it, too!
This viral recipe doesn’t require yeast. In just five minutes of hands-on time, this simple quick bread is ready to enjoy after a spin in the oven! My apple bread is incredibly moist, because the juice from the apples bakes right into the loaf, creating a spongy texture. It’s also has a delicious cinnamon swirl for added fall flavor.
My catering years taught me how to celebrate seasonal produce – not only for the best flavor, but for affordability, too. Right now, I’m taking advantage of the abundance of fall and incorporating apples into all my baking!
This cinnamon-infused apple bread recipe is fragrant, moist and delicious. Even better, it’s SO easy and made with just a few simple ingredients you probably already have on hand! It has a tender crumb and can be served for breakfast, as a snack or dessert. No judgement here!
5 STAR REVIEW
“The best recipe! I’ve had many ladies at my book club tell me that it’s “fall in a bread”! It’s so moist, with a nice crusty top. Definitely a favorite in my house!!”
★★★★★
— ASHLEY —
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Sugar – Classic, granulated white sugar.
- Flour – All-purpose works well here, and I prefer bleached flour for a little finer texture.
- Baking Powder – All baked goods need a leavening agent. Make sure baking powder is not expired for best results.
- Salt – Adding a little salt to balance the sweet is essential for baking.
- Eggs – All of my recipes call for large eggs.
- Milk – Milk helps to retain moisture in this quick bread. You can use any type of milk- we generally have 2% in the fridge and it works well!
- Vegetable Oil – I prefer a basic vegetable oil for my quick breads so as not to alter the flavor.
- Cinnamon – Don’t skimp on ground cinnamon in this recipe.
- Diced Apples – Any apples will work, but Jonagold, Honey Crisp, Braeburn, and Pink Lady are all great for baking. Chop or grate apples, if you prefer!
How to Make Apple Bread
Prep Your Favorite Apples – Peel and dice your apples into small, bite-size pieces. You can also leave the skin on to add texture to this apple bread recipe, it’s whatever you prefer!
Mix Your Ingredients – Mixing your dry (sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt) and wet (eggs, milk, and oil) ingredients separately before combining ensures the dry ingredients are distributed evenly and prevents clumping.
Bring It All Together – Slowly add your wet ingredients to the dry and fold in your diced apples.
Prepare Loaf Pan – Grease your loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal. Pour in your apple bread batter and bake.
Cool, Slice, and Enjoy – Cool completely before slicing. Serve with a pat of butter and enjoy!
Tips From My Test Kitchen
- Best Apples for Baking – Softer apples don’t hold up well for baking. My favorite apples to bake with are Jonathan, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Golden Delicious, Gala or Pink Lady.
- Don’t Over-Mix – This can create a more dense, heavy finish. Mix it just until combined.
Baking Conversion Guide
Print this Measurement Conversion Chart for easy reference when halving or doubling a recipe.
Variations
- Add Nuts – Candied Nuts, walnuts or pecans are a delicious addition.
- Add More Flavor – Almond or vanilla extract will add another pop of flavor.
- Add a Topping – Simply combine cinnamon, brown sugar, flour and butter until crumbly and add just before baking.
- Lighten it Up – Replace half the oil with unsweetened apple sauce and eliminate the cinnamon sugar mixture on top.
Top it Off
Drizzle a glaze or sauce over this apple bread recipe for even more decadence!
Apple Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups white granulated sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- ⅔ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup apples diced and peeled
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Mix In
- ⅔ cup white granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease loaf pans.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk to combine sugar, flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.2 cups white granulated sugar, 4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt
- In the fitted bowl of a stand mixer or large mixing bowl and beater, beat eggs, milk and oil until just combined.2 large eggs, 2 cups milk, ⅔ cup vegetable oil
- Gradually add dry mixture to wet until just moist. Fold in diced apples and cinnamon.1 cup apples, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Pour mixture into loaf pans, filling to the ⅔ mark to compensate for rise.
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, stir to combine cinnamon and sugar. Spoon onto each loaf and gently swirl in with a knife.⅔ cup white granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Bake 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Julie’s Tips
Substitutions
- Milk – Whatever you have on hand, from skim to whole milk, even almond milk, to make it dairy-free.
- Vegetable Oil – Canola oil or melted butter can be used in a pinch.
Alternative Baking Ideas
- Large Loaves – Don’t want 6 miniature loaves? You can also make this apple bread recipe in 2 separate 1-pound loaf pans (or cut the recipe in half for just 1 loaf pan) and bake for 50-60 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test.
- Mini Muffins – If you prefer to make them into muffins, just grease miniature muffin tins and fill each to 2/3 full. Bake 12 minutes (up to 17 minutes, depending on your oven).
Storage Tips
Store quick bread in a sealed plastic bag or covered in saran wrap at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. Or, store in an airtight container refrigerated up to 5-6 days. Freeze loaves or slices by wrapping them tightly in heavy aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Then place them in freezer bags (I like to do at least 2 to prevent freezer odors from seeping in), and freeze for up to 3 months.Video
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
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I really like your recipes, presentation, family stories and you. I’d love to adopt you!!!
Oh gosh, you are too kind! Thank you for following along!
I made this apple bread today and was very happy with the way it turned out. I did add an extra apple to the batter and it was delicious. Definitely a great little gift in its own container.
Thank you for sharing! Happy Holidays, Loretta!
How big are the baking dishes supposed to be?
As for a standard loaf pan, there is no single standard. 8-inch or 9-inch?
2 1 pound loaf pans or a 1.5 pound loaf pan.
Can I incorporate apple butter in this instead of (or in addition to) the apples and cut some of the granulated sugar out? Not sure how it would turn out but just trying to think creatively with what i have 🙂
I haven’t tested it, sorry! You can just make it as cinnamon bread though if you prefer.
Your notes about the apple cinnamon mini loafs says to decrease the butter by half to make a healthier version. However, your recipe does not list butter as an ingredient. I planned to make this later today and want to make sure I have it correct. Thanks.
Oh gosh, my apologies. Oil. They’re interchangeable. I’ll correct immediately.