This moist cinnamon apple bread will soon become your next family favorite. A simple and easy, oil-based recipe. And, with a combination of apples, spices, and both white and brown sugar. It takes just 10 minutes to mix and 40 minutes to bake.
Apple is an incredibly versatile ingredient to add to bread, and it adds a lovely sweet flavour that enhances the texture. Apples can be used in a variety of breads, from a classic apple-pie-like loaf to a traditional focaccia that has a hint of apples to accentuate the savoury flavour. For a completely unique take, you can even make an apple-and-nut bread that combines the sweetness of apples with the crunch of nuts for an unforgettable texture and taste. Whichever type of bread you choose to make, working with apples gives any dough a delicious boost of flavour.
Why is this the best recipe
- This recipe is so unique because it offers a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors.
- Using natural cinnamon and apples adds a delightful scent and flavor to the bread, enticing and tantalizing your taste buds.
- Not to mention, using freshly-grated apples and spices ensures that each bite is flavorful.
- Most of the ingredients in this recipe are simple pantry staples or easy to find.
- I highly recommend you cut the apples into small pieces so they cut into lovely slices.
- In short, this recipe is the perfect combination of sweetness and spice, making it an easy and delicious way to enjoy a classic treat.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Apples – Today, I used Gala and Granny Smith. Ideally, I like to use a mix of apples. The Granny Smith is tart, which helps offset some of the sugar. But, it also holds its shape well, which means you get pieces of apple that haven’t disappeared in the cake. Honey crisp and Gala soften and add moisture, sweetness, and texture to the cake.
- Flour – I think all-purpose flour works best for this cake. So, do not use anything else.
- Eggs – Always use large eggs, weighing about 60 grams, for the best results.
- Sugar – I am using a combination of brown and white. While you can also use all white sugar, I do like the little caramel-like flavor from the molasses in the brown sugar.
- Spices – The flavors we have here of cinnamon, ground ginger, and nutmeg remind me of an apple pie. You can also add 1/2 tsp of pumpkin spice or gingerbread spice to the apples and flour.
- Vanilla – Always use a good quality vanilla extract, as it makes a huge difference. It can be expensive, but you can also make your own vanilla extract, bean paste, or sugar.
Step-by-step: Cinnamon apple bread
Apples
- Apple – Use a vegetable peeler to peel the apples, and a corer to core the apples. Then, dice them into small 1/2-inch cubes.
Pro tip – It’s best to cut the apples into small pieces so you can cut the bread into neat slices. Or you will have rough edges.
- Apple pie mixture – Place the apples in a bowl, add the salt, cinnamon powder, ground ginger, and nutmeg, and combine well. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent oxidation and set aside.
- Oven / Pan – Preheat the oven to 325°F/165°F/Gas Mark 3. Next, grease one 9 x 4-inch loaf pan.
- Dry ingredients – In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon powder, ground ginger, nutmeg, and salt.
- Wet ingredients – In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer, whip the eggs for a minute. Then, gradually add both the brown and white sugar. Whip until sugar is almost dissolved. Next, gradually add the oil, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Wet to dry – Next, add the flour in three batches and combine well. Finally, add the chopped apples and nuts (pecans or walnuts).
- Bake – Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for at least 20 minutes before you slice it into this cake.
Troubleshooting
- My apple bread is dry. What went wrong? Overbaking or using too little liquid can result in dry apple bread. Make sure to measure ingredients accurately and keep an eye on the bread during the last few minutes of baking.
- Why is my apple bread too moist or soggy? Overly moist apple bread can be due to several reasons: too many apples, not baking it long enough, or using apples that release a lot of moisture. Follow the recipe closely and consider using a toothpick to test for doneness.
Frequently asked questions
How long will this apple bread keep? How do you store it?
This bread will keep at room temperature for 3 days in an airtight container. You can leave it in the fridge for up to a week. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil or in a freezer bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
What kind of apples are best for apple bread?
While you can use almost any variety, firmer apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji hold up well during baking and offer a good balance of sweetness and tartness.
How do I prevent the apples from sinking to the bottom of the bread?
Coating the apple chunks in a bit of flour before folding them into the batter can help prevent them from sinking.
Can I add a glaze to this bread?
Usually, I don’t add a glaze to my bread, but you certainly can add a sugar glaze or even a cream cheese glaze.
Can I make apple muffins instead of apple bread?
Yes, most apple bread recipes can be adapted to make muffins. Just adjust the baking time, as muffins will usually bake faster than a loaf.
Cinnamon Apple Bread Recipe
This moist cinnamon apple bread will soon become your next family favorite. A simple and easy oil-based recipe made from scratch with a combination of apples, spices, both white and brown sugar. It takes just 10 minutes to mix and 40 minutes to bake.
Video
Ingredients
Apples
- 2 cups (250 g) Apples diced into 1/2- inch pieces
- ¼ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Cinnamon powder
- ¼ tsp Ground ginger
- ¼ tsp Nutmeg fresh grated
Cake
- 2 cups (250 g) Flour
- ¾ tsp Baking soda
- ¼ tsp Baking powder
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Cinnamon powder
- ¼ tsp Ground ginger
- ¼ tsp Nutmeg fresh grated
- ¾ cup Oil flavorless cooking oil
- ⅓ cup (75 g) Brown sugar
- ⅓ cup (65 g) Granulated sugar
- 2 Eggs large
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- ½ cup (70 g) Nuts Pecans or walnuts, finely chopped
Method
- Apple – Use a vegetable peeler to peel the apples, and a corer to core the apples. Then, dice them into small 1/2-inch cubes.Pro tip – It's best to cut the apples small so you can cut the bread into neat slices. Or you will have rough edges.2 cups Apples
- Apple pie mixture – Place the apple in a bowl, add the salt, cinnamon powder, ground ginger, and nutmeg – Combine well. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent oxidization and set aside.1/4 tsp Salt, 1/2 tsp Cinnamon powder, 1/4 tsp Ground ginger, 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
- Oven / Pan – Preheat the oven to 325°F/165°F/Gas Mark 3. Grease one 9 x 4-inch loaf pan
- Dry ingredients – In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon powder, ground ginger, nutmeg, and salt.2 cups Flour, ¾ tsp Baking soda, ¼ tsp Baking powder, ½ tsp Salt, 1 tsp Cinnamon powder, ¼ tsp Ground ginger, ¼ tsp Nutmeg
- Wet ingredients – In a bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachmnet or a hand mixer whip the eggs for a minute. Then, gradually add both the brown and white sugar. Whip until sugar is almost dissolved. Next, gradually add the oil followed by the vanilla extract.¾ cup Oil, ⅓ cup Brown sugar, ⅓ cup Granulated sugar, 2 Eggs, 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- Wet to dry – Next, add the flour in three batches and combine well. Finally, add the chopped apples and nuts (pecans or walnuts).½ cup Nuts
- Bake – Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for at least 20 minutes before you slice it into this cake.
Notes
Creating a moist apple bread involves a combination of the right ingredients, proper techniques, and careful baking. Here are some tips to ensure your apple bread turns out perfectly moist:
- Choose the Right Apples: Some apples have a higher moisture content than others. Using varieties like McIntosh, Braeburn, or Cortland can contribute to a moister bread.
- Do Not Overmix: Overmixing can lead to a dense, dry bread. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Use Brown Sugar: Brown sugar contains molasses, which can add moisture to the bread. Consider using it in place of or in combination with white sugar.
- Add Apple Sauce: You can replace some or all of the oil/butter with apple sauce. This will not only provide moisture but also enhance the apple flavor.
- Properly Measure Flour: Too much flour can dry out the bread. Use the “spoon and level” method: spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level it off with a knife.
- Cover with Foil: If you notice the top of the bread browning too quickly while baking, cover it loosely with aluminum foil. This prevents the top from over-baking while the inside continues to cook.
- Check for Doneness: Use a toothpick or a thin knife to check for doneness. When inserted into the center of the bread, it should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter. Remember, it’s better to slightly underbake than overbake for moister results.
- Avoid Overbaking: Overbaked bread can become dry. Check your bread a few minutes before the minimum baking time, especially if your oven runs hot.
- Cool in the Pan: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. This helps the bread retain its moisture.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Ensure that your baking powder and baking soda are fresh. Stale leavening agents can affect the rise and texture of your bread.
- Store Properly: Once cooled, store the apple bread in an airtight container or tightly wrapped to retain its moisture. If storing for more than a couple of days, consider refrigerating it to maintain freshness.
- Add Ins: Ingredients like chopped nuts or raisins can help retain moisture within the bread.
- Liquid Balance: Ensure that your recipe has a good balance of liquid ingredients. If you’re experimenting or trying a new recipe, be mindful of the wet to dry ingredient ratio.
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
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Hi, I’m Veena
I’m the recipe developer, baker, and food photographer behind Veena Azmanov Kitchen.
I’ve spent years developing and testing recipes, from everyday meals and homemade breads to cakes and desserts.
I share the practical tips and little details I’ve learned along the way so you can get great results in your own kitchen.
This was supposed to be a Banana Bread recipe 🙁
Not sure I understand. I do have a banana bread recipe – was it wrongly linked somewhere?
Your recipe looks wonderful, really looking forward tomgiving it a try. You mention in your tips that you also use apple sauce to enhance the texture but I can’t see it included in the recipe. Souls some be made from the 2 apples or more added to the mix?
Sorry, Sharmane. I wrote that by mistake. Sometimes I do use 2 tbsp of apple sauce in this recipe but today I did not in this recipe. Just corrected it. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. There is not need for apple sauce.. but you can add 2 tbsp if you want. I hope that makes it clearer.
Thankyou Veena that’s great! Had lots of apples from our tree this year so looking to use them up. Your recipe will be my next go to, awesome ????
Thanks, Sharmane
I’m already in love with this recipe and I haven’t even had a bite! It smells so amazing cooking – I can’t wait to try it! Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks Jenn.
Gala apples are my favorite and perfect for this recipe! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Whitney
I could go for a slice or two of this with my afternoon tea today. 🙂 Looks perfect!
It is the perfect afternoon snacks
This looks so delicious and yummy! My family is going to love this!
Thanks, Beth. I hope you try it.