Description
This best apple bread recipe features tender, moist bread bursting with flavorful diced apples and warm cinnamon spice. Topped with a sweet cinnamon-sugar butter drizzle, it makes a comforting treat perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. The bread combines a blend of all-purpose flour, brown sugar, sour cream, and melted butter to create a rich texture balanced by tangy apples and aromatic cinnamon.
Ingredients
Scale
For Apples and Topping
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 Tablespoons butter, melted (salted or unsalted)
For Apple Bread
- 1 ½ cups (215 g) finely chopped apples, peeled and cored (about 2 apples)
- 2 ⅓ cups (290 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, firmly packed
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup (170 g) sour cream
- ¼ cup (60 ml) whole milk
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5-inch bread pan with parchment paper to create a sling or lightly spray it with baking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Topping Sugar and Cinnamon: In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and cinnamon for the topping. Set this mixture aside for use in the apples and for sprinkling on top of the bread later.
- Prepare Apples with Cinnamon Sugar: Place the finely chopped apples in a bowl. Sprinkle them with 1 ½ tablespoons of the cinnamon-sugar mixture you made earlier and stir to coat evenly. Set aside—the remaining cinnamon sugar will be used later.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt so all dry ingredients are well incorporated.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the melted butter, sour cream, whole milk, lightly beaten eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
- Mix Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to gently fold the ingredients together until just mostly combined. Avoid over-mixing to keep the bread tender.
- Add Apples to Batter: Fold the cinnamon-coated chopped apples into the batter until evenly distributed, taking care not to over-stir.
- Transfer Batter to Pan: Pour the prepared batter into your lined or greased bread pan, smoothing the top gently.
- Add Butter and Topping: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and drizzle it evenly over the top of the batter. Then sprinkle the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture over the buttered top for a sweet, crunchy topping.
- Bake the Bread: Set the bread pan on a foil or parchment paper–lined baking sheet to catch any dripping butter. Bake on the center rack in the preheated oven for 65 to 70 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for at least one hour. Then carefully lift it out using the parchment sling and transfer to a cooling rack. Slice and enjoy the delicious apple bread warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Apple Varieties: Use firm, tart to semi-tart apples for the best flavor and texture. Granny Smith and Gala apples are excellent choices.
- Storage: Wrap the bread tightly or place it in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to 5 days to keep it fresh.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/10th of loaf)
- Calories: 352
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 352 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 74 mg
