Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf Recipe
Indulge in the cozy flavors of fall with this irresistible Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf recipe! This easy-to-follow guide will help you bake a moist and tender loaf, swirled with a gooey cinnamon-sugar filling and topped with a sweet glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, this loaf is guaranteed to fill your kitchen with a warm, inviting aroma and bring smiles to everyone's faces. Get ready to bake a cherished family favorite!
Equipment
- 2 Mixing Bowls Large stainless steel or glass bowls
- 1 Whisk For mixing dry and wet ingredients
- 1 Spatula or Wooden Spoon For folding batter and scraping bowls
- 1 Loaf Pan 9x5 inch loaf pan
- 1 Measuring Cups and Spoons For accurate measurements
- 1 Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer Optional, for easier mixing
- 1 Paring Knife For preparing apples
- 1 Cutting Board For preparing apples
- 1 Wire Rack For cooling the loaf
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups All-purpose flour (315g)
- ¾ cup Granulated sugar (150g)
- 1 tbsp Baking powder
- ½ tsp Baking soda
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp Ground nutmeg
- 2 Large eggs
- ½ cup Vegetable oil (120ml)
- 1 cup Buttermilk (240ml)
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 2 medium Apples peeled, cored, and diced
- ¼ cup Unsalted butter (57g), melted
- ½ cup Light brown sugar (100g), packed
- 2 tbsp Ground cinnamon
- 1 cup Powdered sugar (120g)
- 2-3 tbsp Milk or apple cider
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal of your beautiful loaf.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Make sure everything is evenly distributed for that perfect spice in every bite.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until well combined. These wet ingredients create the moist and tender crumb we're after.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix – a few streaks of flour are okay. Overmixing can lead to a tough loaf, and we want it soft and delightful. Gently fold in the diced apples.
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir until it forms a lovely, gooey paste. This is the heart of our swirl!
- Pour about half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Dollop half of the cinnamon swirl mixture evenly over the batter. Gently swirl it in with a knife or skewer. Pour the remaining batter over the swirl, and then dollop the remaining cinnamon mixture on top. Swirl again for that beautiful marbled effect.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Start checking for doneness around 45 minutes – ovens can vary! The top should be golden brown, and the loaf should spring back lightly when touched.
- Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. While it’s cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk (or apple cider) until smooth to make the glaze. Once the loaf is fully cooled, drizzle the glaze generously over the top.
- Once glazed (if using), let the glaze set for a few minutes. Then, slice into thick, generous pieces and prepare to be amazed by the deliciousness!
Notes
You can substitute whole wheat flour for up to half of the all-purpose flour for a slightly nuttier flavor and denser texture. For extra moisture, add ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce to the batter. If you prefer a less sweet loaf, reduce the granulated sugar in the loaf batter to ½ cup.