Description
This moist and flavorful Apple Cinnamon Bread combines the sweetness of fresh apples with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack, this easy-to-make quick bread features chopped apples and optional walnuts for a delightful texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Main Add-ins
- 2 cups peeled and chopped apples (about 2 medium apples)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan thoroughly and set it aside to ensure the bread does not stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. This blend ensures the spices and leavening are evenly distributed throughout the bread.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps to incorporate air for a tender crumb.
- Add Eggs and Liquids: Beat in the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, making sure each egg is fully incorporated. Then stir in the milk and vanilla extract to add moisture and flavor.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the batter which can make the bread tough.
- Fold in Apples and Walnuts: Gently fold in the peeled and chopped apples along with the chopped walnuts if using, to distribute the add-ins evenly without deflating the batter.
- Transfer Batter to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula to ensure even baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean, indicating it is fully cooked.
- Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes to firm up, then remove it from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For a nuttier flavor, try toasting the walnuts before folding them into the batter.
- You can substitute apples with pears or use a combination of fruits for variation.
- Make sure not to overmix the batter after adding the dry ingredients to keep the bread tender.
- The bread can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
- Use a mixture of tart and sweet apples for a more balanced flavor.
