Delicious & Easy Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread: The Ultimate Fall Baking Recipe
Prepare to elevate your home baking with a truly exceptional treat: our irresistible **Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread**. This isn’t just any ordinary loaf; it’s a masterpiece of seasonal flavors, a delightful creation that promises to satisfy your sweet cravings and envelop your entire home in the most comforting, warm aroma. Imagine a tender, sweet bread, generously studded with fresh apple chunks and elegantly swirled with a fragrant cinnamon-sugar ribbon. It’s a perfect twist on classic sweet breads, embodying the very essence of cozy autumn days and the joy of baking from scratch.
The Allure of Homemade Apple Bread with Cinnamon Sugar
Autumn brings with it a delightful abundance of fresh, crisp apples, signaling the perfect season for cozy baking projects. The peak of apple harvest offers a selection of unparalleled sweetness and crispness, making it an ideal time to infuse seasonal flavors into our kitchens. This **cinnamon swirl apple bread** is not merely a recipe; it’s a celebration of these seasonal gifts, an embodiment of the joy found in creating something truly special from scratch.
Our recipe transforms simple ingredients into a rich, sweet bread, where the natural sweetness of apples harmonizes beautifully with the warm, aromatic embrace of cinnamon. As this magnificent loaf bakes, a sweet and spicy aroma will gracefully waft through your home, promising a blissful experience long before the first slice is even cut. It’s the kind of scent that invites family to gather and creates lasting memories.
Why This Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread Stands Out
What makes this particular apple cinnamon loaf so exceptional? It’s the perfect balance of textures and flavors. We start with a remarkably soft and fluffy dough, enriched with subtle notes that complement the fruit. The generous addition of apple chunks ensures a burst of fresh, juicy sweetness in every bite, while the mesmerizing cinnamon-sugar spiral woven throughout the bread adds a layer of warm spice and a hint of delightful crunch. This combination elevates the loaf from a simple bread to an extraordinary sweet treat.
This bread isn’t just for eating; it’s an experience. It’s a wonderful baking adventure that culminates in a sweet, aromatic loaf, perfectly suited for welcoming the cozy autumn vibes. Whether you’re planning your next brunch, hosting an afternoon tea, or simply in need of a comforting sweet treat to brighten your day, this **easy cinnamon apple loaf** is your go-to recipe. Enjoy the process, savor the aroma, and delight in every soft, flavorful bite!
Essential Tips for Perfect Apple Cinnamon Bread
Achieving a perfectly soft, flavorful, and beautifully swirled apple cinnamon bread is simpler than you might think with a few key techniques. These tips will help you master this delightful recipe and impress everyone who takes a bite.
Choosing the Right Apples
The type of apple you choose can significantly impact the flavor and texture of your bread. For the best results, opt for apples that hold their shape well during baking and offer a good balance of sweetness and tartness. Excellent choices for this **homemade apple bread** include:
- Braeburn: Known for its crisp texture and sweet-tart flavor, it bakes wonderfully.
- Jonagold: A popular baking apple, offering a honeyed sweetness and a firm texture.
- Honeycrisp: Exceptionally crisp and sweet, it adds a lovely bite to the bread.
Don’t forget the lemon juice! Tossing your peeled and diced apple pieces with a tablespoon of lemon juice is a crucial step. This prevents the apples from browning (oxidizing) as they wait to be incorporated into the dough, ensuring your bread has vibrant, fresh-looking apple chunks throughout.
Understanding Yeast and Rising
Yeast is the heart of any good bread, and this **apple cinnamon swirl bread** is no exception. This recipe calls for 1½ teaspoons (6 grams) of instant yeast, which can be added directly to your dry ingredients. If you prefer using other types:
- Fresh Yeast: Use 12 grams (double the amount of instant yeast). Remember to dissolve it first in lukewarm milk with a pinch of sugar to activate it before adding to the other ingredients.
- Active Dry Yeast: Use 6 grams (the same amount as instant yeast). Like fresh yeast, it typically needs to be dissolved in lukewarm liquid and allowed to bloom for 5-10 minutes before combining with the rest of the dough ingredients.
Proper rising (proofing) is essential for a light and airy loaf. Our recipe includes two rising stages. The first rise develops flavor and texture, while the second rise ensures the loaf is wonderfully puffy and soft before baking. Don’t rush these steps; patience is key to a superior **soft and fluffy apple bread**.
Kneading and Shaping for the Perfect Swirl
Kneading the dough for about 10 minutes helps develop the gluten, which gives the bread its structure and chewiness. Once kneaded and rested, shaping the dough correctly is crucial for that beautiful cinnamon swirl. Rolling the dough into a consistent 12 x 8-inch (30 × 20 cm) rectangle ensures an even distribution of the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Brushing with melted butter before sprinkling the cinnamon sugar helps the mixture adhere and creates a richer flavor. Rolling it tightly helps maintain the swirl during baking.
Baking to Golden Perfection
Preheating your oven correctly is vital. Baking at 390°F (or 350°F, depending on your oven and loaf pan) for 30-35 minutes should yield a golden-brown crust and a thoroughly cooked interior. To check for doneness, simply tap the bottom of the loaf – a hollow sound indicates it’s ready. If your bread starts to brown too quickly, a loose tent of aluminum foil can prevent over-browning while the inside finishes baking. The final touch of brushing with melted butter immediately after baking creates an incredibly soft, glossy crust that is simply divine.
Did you make this delicious recipe? We’d love to see your creation! Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I regularly share the most beautiful photos from my followers. Did you like this recipe? Then please leave a rating on the recipe card below! Your feedback is incredibly valuable, helping both other home cooks and me.
Need more baking inspiration?
- You can find a wide array of video recipes on my YouTube channel.
- And don’t forget to save your favorite recipes on Pinterest, so you can easily find them again next time you’re ready to bake!
📖 Recipe Card: Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
15 minutes
30 minutes
3 hours
3 hours
45 minutes
Bread Baking, Breakfast, Lunch
Other
8
slices
396
kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark
Ingredients
-
4
cups
all-purpose flour -
1½
teaspoon
yeast,
instant -
3
tablespoons
sugar -
2
tablespoons
butter,
unsalted room temperature -
½
cup
yogurt,
room temperature -
½
cup
milk,
room temperature -
1
egg,
size L -
4
teaspoons
salt -
2
medium
apples,
peeled and cut into small cubes -
1
tablespoon
lemon juice -
3
tablespoons
sugar -
1
teaspoon
ground cinnamon -
4
tablespoon
butter,
melted, unsalted
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
US Customary
Instructions
-
Combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, instant yeast, 3 tablespoons sugar, and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large mixing bowl.4 cups all-purpose flour,
1½ teaspoon yeast, instant,
3 tablespoons sugar,
2 tablespoons butter -
Using a stand mixer with a dough hook, begin mixing. Gradually add the room temperature yogurt, milk, and egg. Continue mixing for an additional 3 minutes until well combined.½ cup yogurt,
½ cup milk,
1 egg -
While the mixer is running, gradually add the remaining flour and salt, spoon by spoon. Once all ingredients are incorporated, knead the dough for approximately 10 more minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.4 teaspoons salt -
In a separate bowl, toss the diced apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. Add the lemon-coated apple pieces to the dough and mix briefly, just until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.2 medium apples,
1 tablespoon lemon juice -
Lightly grease a clean bowl with oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turn it over once to coat both sides with oil. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size. -
Gently transfer the risen dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Punch down the dough to release the air. Cover it with a damp tea towel and let it rest for 20 minutes. This rest period makes the dough easier to handle and contributes to a lighter texture. -
While the dough is resting, prepare your cinnamon-sugar filling. Melt the butter (4 tablespoons) in a small bowl. In another small bowl, mix together the sugar (3 tablespoons) and ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon).3 tablespoons sugar,
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon,
4 tablespoon butter -
After resting, flatten the dough gently and then use a rolling pin to roll it into a neat rectangle, approximately 12 x 8 inches (30 × 20 cm). Aim for an even thickness. -
Evenly brush the entire surface of the rolled-out dough with the melted butter. -
Generously sprinkle the prepared cinnamon sugar mixture over the buttered dough, ensuring it’s evenly coated. -
Starting from one long side, tightly roll up the dough into a log. Carefully transfer the rolled loaf to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover it again with plastic wrap and let it rise for a second time in a warm place for 1 hour. -
Approximately 30 minutes into the second rising time, preheat your oven to
390
°F
(200°C) or
350
°F
(175°C) if your oven runs hot. -
Place the baking sheet with the risen bread into the preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. If the top begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil for the remainder of the baking time. -
Once baked, remove the apple cinnamon bread from the oven. While still warm, brush the top generously with additional melted butter (if desired for extra softness and shine). Allow the bread to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Notes
1. Lemon Juice for Apples: Tossing your diced apple pieces with lemon juice is a simple yet effective trick to prevent them from browning inside your beautiful bread. This keeps your loaf looking as appealing as it tastes.
2. Yeast Variations: This recipe uses 6 grams (1½ teaspoons) of instant yeast. If you prefer to use fresh yeast, you will need 12 grams. For dry active yeast, 6 grams is also required. Remember: with fresh and dry active yeast, you must first dissolve the yeast in lukewarm milk (about 100-110°F or 38-43°C) and let it bloom for 5-10 minutes before adding it to the rest of the ingredients.
3. Best Apples for Baking: For a perfect apple cinnamon bread, choose firm apples that hold their shape well and offer a balanced sweet-tart flavor. Recommended varieties include Braeburn, Jonagold, or Honeycrisp.
4. Expert Baking Tips:
- Dough Rest: After the first rise, letting the dough rest for 20 minutes under a damp tea towel before shaping is crucial. This step relaxes the gluten, making the dough easier to roll and ensuring a more airy, tender final product.
- Soft Crust Secret: For an incredibly soft and glossy crust, brush the top of your freshly baked, warm bread with melted butter immediately after removing it from the oven.
5. Storage Guidelines:
- Room Temperature: This apple cinnamon bread can be stored at room temperature, tightly wrapped, for up to 3 days after baking.
- Freezer Storage: For longer preservation, you can freeze the bread for up to 1 month. To enjoy, simply let it defrost at room temperature.
- Reheating Tip: For a delightful warm bread with a crispy crust, warm defrosted slices in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for about 5 minutes just before serving.
Nutrition
Calories:
396
kcal
Carbohydrates:
66
g
Protein:
9
g
Fat:
11
g
Saturated Fat:
6
g
Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat:
3
g
Trans Fat:
0.4
g
Cholesterol:
47
mg
Sodium:
1271
mg
Fiber:
3
g
Sugar:
16
g
Vitamin A:
362
IU
Vitamin C:
3
mg
Iron:
3
mg
apple cinnamon bread, sweet bread, fall baking, homemade bread, cinnamon swirl
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Serving Suggestions and Creative Variations
This **Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread** is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways. It’s truly a delight on its own, but here are some ideas to make it even more special:
- Breakfast Delight: Serve warm slices for breakfast, perhaps with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a drizzle of maple syrup.
- Afternoon Treat: Perfect with a cup of coffee or tea during an afternoon break.
- Dessert Upgrade: Lightly toast a slice and serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple, yet elegant dessert.
- Gifting: This bread makes a thoughtful homemade gift for friends, family, or neighbors, especially during the autumn season.
Creative Variations
Feel free to experiment with this recipe to make it your own! Here are a few ideas:
- Nutty Crunch: Add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans to the cinnamon-sugar swirl for an extra layer of texture and flavor.
- Citrus Zest: Incorporate some orange or lemon zest into the dough for a brighter, more aromatic profile.
- Cream Cheese Glaze: For an extra decadent touch, whisk together powdered sugar, a splash of milk, and a bit of cream cheese to create a simple glaze to drizzle over the cooled bread.
- Spice It Up: Enhance the cinnamon with a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or allspice for a more complex spice blend.
More Irresistible Bread and Buns Recipes
If you loved baking this apple cinnamon bread, you’re in for a treat! Explore more delightful bread and bun recipes from our collection to expand your baking repertoire. From savory to sweet, there’s always something new to discover and enjoy.
- Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Croissants
- Zeeuwse Bolussen – Dutch Cinnamon Rolls
- Dutch Suikerbroodjes (Sugar Buns)
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