Apple Cinnamon Bread
Total Time
2 hours
Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
1 hour
Rating
5 out of 5 stars
(8)
Ingredients
1 loaf
- 2 cups peeled and finely diced Honeycrisp apples, divided
- 3/4 cup (185g) milk
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups (265g) all-purpose flour or gluten free baking flour
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon, divided
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup (113g) + 1 tbsp unsalted butter, room temp (use a high butterfat butter or “European style” butter for the best flavor and texture)
- 1/2 cup (105g) + 1 tbsp light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (62g) unsweetened applesauce
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Demerara or raw sugar, for topping (optional)
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Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350F and grease the inside of a 9×5 loaf pan. Lay in a sheet of parchment paper so it covers the bottom and two long sides of the pan.
Step 2
Place 1 cup of diced apples in a medium microwave-safe bowl and the other cup off to the side.
Step 3
To the bowl of apples, add 1 tablespoon of butter and microwave until melted (30-60 seconds). Then toss in 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and 1 tsp of cinnamon. Set aside.
Step 4
In a measuring glass, measure the milk and stir in the vinegar. Set aside.
Step 5
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, the other 1 tsp of cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Step 6
In a large mixing bowl using a hand or stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or by hand with a wooden spoon), mix the remaining 1/2 cup of softened butter with the remaining 1/2 cup of brown sugar and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar.
Step 7
Then mix in the applesauce, egg, and vanilla.
Step 8
Pour in half of the dry ingredients and mix.
Step 9
Just before it’s fully incorporated, pour in the milk and vinegar mixture and stir to combine.
Step 10
Then dump in the rest of the dry ingredients and mix. Just before the flour is fully mixed in, toss in the other 1 cup of apples and fold to combine.
Step 11
Pour the batter into the loaf pan and spread even. Scatter the buttered cinnamon apples over the surface. Very loosely swirl them into the batter. Sprinkle with a few pinches of raw sugar (optional).
Step 12
Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs.
Step 13
Allow the loaf to cool for about 45 minutes. Then slice and enjoy while it’s still warm!
Step 14
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Chef's notes
When dicing the apples, chop them into tiny bite-size pieces. These smaller chunks ensure there’s a bit of fresh apple in every bite.
Measure the flour if you can. If a scale isn’t available, gently spoon the flour into a measuring cup and level it off for a light and fluffy cup of flour.
Use a really good quality rich butter. It is typically called European Style or Irish butter.
When stirring in the dry ingredients, only mix just until it’s combined.
Use a light-colored aluminum loaf pan for the best results. Avoid glass or ceramic.
The chilled apples can sometimes solidify the butter once everything is mixed together. If this happens to you, pop the buttered cinnamon apples in the microwave again for about 30 seconds to help loosen up that butter.
