Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread – Chunks of apple and swirls of cinnamon in this easy quick bread recipe that doesn’t even need a mixer!
Apple Quick Bread
If you like Cinnamon Quick Bread or Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Quick Bread, you’ll love this easy Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread!
I’m excited about this bread for a few reasons. First, I didn’t think I liked anything with baked apple (it’s a texture thing), but I’m trying to be an adult and try new things. Guess what? I now love baked apple desserts.
Last week we were at a cider mill and my mom bought a loaf of their apple bread. I tried it and actually liked it. Enough that I wanted to try to recreate it which leads to the second reason why I’m excited about it.
I think I did a pretty good job recreating it! I did some research and came up with this recipe that I think is really, really good.
I asked on Facebook what your favorite type of apples to bake with are and got mixed responses.
Like I said, I haven’t liked baked apples in the past (apple pie, apple bread, apple strudel…) so I wasn’t sure where to start. I ended up using Gala apples because they’re sweet and one of my favorites.
I diced the apples pretty small (though you can still see them in the pics and definitely still taste them) but if you like big chunks, chop big chunks. The streusel makes a crunchy, sugary crust that is so good.
Helpful Tools
- Loaf pans – you don’t have to get fancy, but remember that you need 2 for this recipe.
- An apple slicer will make your life easier – to get a jump on dicing the apples.
- So will a good peeler – I grabbed a random peeler from the drawer and almost immediately threw it away with the peels. Stick with the OXO one, it’ll make you happy.
- And a good silicone spatula – the beauty of this recipe (one of them, anyway) is that you don’t need a hand mixer, but you do need to mix it. I like the one piece silicone spatulas.
Ingredients
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe, why you need them, and possible substitutions. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card with measurements.
Jump- Apples – Use your favorite type of apple & chop them as big or small as you like. I used Gala apples & chopped them fairly small.
- Flour – All purpose white flour.
- Cinnamon – Use a good quality ceylon cinnamon for the best taste.
- Nutmeg – Nutmeg has a warm & spicy smell and flavor that pairs beautifully with cinnamon.
- Baking Soda – Baking soda gives the bread its rise.
- Salt – To bring out the other flavors.
- Vegetable Oil – You can use either vegetable oil OR unsweetened applesauce in this recipe. Applesauce makes a slightly denser bread. You swap them out on a 1:1 basis. I sometimes do half oil, half applesauce.
- Eggs – Three large eggs.
- Sugar – Granulated white sugar.
- Brown Sugar – Adding brown sugar leaves the bread soft & moist.
- Vanilla Extract – I know vanilla is expensive right now, but use a real vanilla, not imitation!
- Butter – You’ll use softened butter as the base of the streusel that you’ll swirl in.
This recipe makes two loaves – I immediately had to wrap one up to give away because there was a good chance I would have eaten it. By myself. The whole thing.
How to make Apple Cinnamon Bread
This section shows you how to make this recipe, with process photos showing the steps to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
Jump- Step One: First, peel and dice your apples into fairly small pieces. How many apples you need will depend on the size of your apples.
- Step Two: Next, whisk together the dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.
- Step Three: Then, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients.
- Step Four: Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir with a spatula until fully combined – it’s a very thick batter.
- Step Five: Finally, stir in the apples and then pour the batter into two loaf pans that have been lined with parchment paper.
- Step Six: Make the streusel topping by mixing together softened butter, cinnamon, and sugar and dropping it onto the batter. Lightly swirl it with a skewer and then bake for about an hour at 325°F.
Can I replace oil with applesauce in baking?
Yes, you can swap out oil with applesauce when you’re baking. The ratio is 1:1 for substituting. Use unsweetened applesauce to not alter the flavor of the recipe.
I make this bread both ways – sometimes using vegetable oil, sometimes using applesauce…sometimes using half and half. I find the applesauce version to be slightly denser.
How many apples are in 3 cups?
This is depend on the size of your apples, but it took two large Gala apples for me, diced, to equal 3 cups.
Have more apples to bake with? Try these recipes:
- The BEST apple desserts – a roundup of some great recipes.
- Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake
- Apple Pull Apart Bread
- Apple Peanut Butter Blondies
- Sheet Pan Apple Pie with Oat Crumb Topping
Did You Make This?
If you made this recipe, I’d love to know how it went in the comments section below.
You can also tag me on Instagram – @melissa_ppplates or share a pic in the Persnickety Plates Community Facebook group. I love seeing what you’ve tried!
Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Ingredients
For the Bread
- 3 cups Gala apples diced (this was 2 large apples for me)
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce or vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups granulated white sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Streusel
- 4 Tablespoons softened butter (I used salted)
- 4 Tablespoons granulated white sugar
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
To make the bread
- Preheat the oven to 325°F, line two 9×5 loaf pans with parchment paper and lightly spray with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- Peel your apples and dice into small pieces.3 cups Gala apples
- In a medium bowl, add the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt and whisk together.3 cups all purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt
- In another large bowl, add the applesauce (or vegetable oil), eggs, sugars, and vanilla and mix with a whisk until fully combined.1 cup unsweetened applesauce, 3 large eggs, 1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in batches (I did three parts) and stir with a spatula until fully combined. The batter will be very thick.
- Stir in the diced apples.
- Pour half of the batter into each prepared loaf pans – try to keep the amounts even.
To make the streusel
- In a small bowl, add the softened butter, cinnamon, and sugar and mix together with a fork. Drop the streusel mixture onto the tops of the batter and lightly swirl.4 Tablespoons softened butter, 4 Tablespoons granulated white sugar, 2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Bake for 1 hour then check on your loaves. Insert a toothpick into the center – if it comes out clean, with moist crumbs, your bread is done.
- Let cool in the pan for about 10 minutes then lightly run a knife around the edges to loosen. Flip onto a plate, slice and enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe makes two (2) 9×5 loaves.
- Use your favorite apples – I prefer a mildly sweet apple like Gala. A tart apple like Granny Smith is also good.
- You can use all applesauce, all oil, or a mixture of the two to equal one cup. All applesauce makes for a slightly denser bread.
- Store leftovers covered at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag me on Instagram @melissa_pplates so I can see!Need more apple ideas?
Originally published October 13, 2014
I made this bread a few days ago. This recipe was simple and easy to put together in no time. Those who have eaten the bread said it was DELICIOUS!! A few things different which I did……I used a little less than a cup of vegetable oil and canola oil spray. Even using the vegetable oil the bread came out a little oily on the bottom once cooled and removed from the pan. I blotted the bread off with a paper towel and it was perfect! Also, there were several areas from the bottom of the bread which stuck to the pan. Next time I will slightly grease the loaf pan and not use the spray oil. The batter reminds me of a recipe which my mom makes called a Holiday Apple Pound Cake which is absolutely out of this world AMAZING!!!! It is ALWAYS a hit and everyone wants the recipe. I’m unable to eat due to having cancer and having my tongue removed in June 2014; however that hasn’t stopped my LOVE for being in the kitchen and cooking/baking for family and friends!! #cancersurvivor
Hi Shannon,
I’m happy to hear you’re a survivor – thanks for the comment =)
I made this for my kids this morning, it was a huge hit! Very delicious and we will add this to our recipe book.
I’m so glad they liked it! Thank you for reporting back 🙂
Hi. How does this recipe freeze?
Hi. I have not froze it, but wrapped tightly in plastic wrap then dropped into a freezer bag it should do well for a few months, then I would just let it thaw on the counter when ready.
This cake is so easy to make and it is delicious. Made it the first time with the oil. This time I made it with applesauce. I like it better with the unsweetened applesauce
Thank you for reporting back! I’m so happy you’ve made it twice 🙂
I made the recipe exactly as printed, it was delicious., moist with a punch of cinnamon. All ovens are different mine took 90 minutes to bake. Maybe lots of calories but sometimes a yummy treat with coffee is all you need to start the day.
I’m glad you liked it, Marie!
So delish! I used my homemade apple butter in place of the applesauce, and added almost a 1/4 cup extra (I like my baked goods moist). My family ate this up double quick! Definitely a keeper recipe! Next time I’m adding some candied ginger and/or nuts for fun.
Easy enough to make and everyone loved it. I like that it makes 2 loaves so I put one directly in the freezer and it thawed out nicely.
I’m glad it was a hit! Thanks for reporting back 🙂
I want to bake this apple bread for Christmas gifts. I purchased aluminum loaf pans 8.3.88 L x 2.47 W x 2.47 H. Will this recipe make 3 loaves this size?
Yes, I think it will make 3-4 since they’ll be so much shorter. Let me know how they turn out!
Made this today, it was a hit at my house. I did have to cook it 75 mins though.
Thank you for reporting back! I’m glad it was a hit.
I’ve made this twice now and it was a hit both times. I like that it makes two so I can give one away. I did have to cook it a little bit longer though. This recipe is definitely a keeper.
I love hearing that – thank you!
It’s delicious and smell so so good 😋😘😘😘
Will make it again and will try with gluten free flour ☺️, hope it works 🤞🤞🤞
I haven’t tested that so let me know 🙂
I made the base loaf without the streusel. Instead I threw in salted Carmel chips. It was easy and delicious! Also I didn’t use any oil- all apple sauce. Worked out great!
Yum! I use only applesauce sometimes, too. Thanks so much for reporting back! 🙂
I made the bread using half oil, half apple sauce. My family loved!!!
Have you used this recipe to make muffins? If so, are any adjustments to the recipe needed?
Hi Debra, I’m glad you like it! No adjustments for muffins, I’d just check them at 20 minutes bake time. They might need up to 30 minutes, just do a toothpick test.
I made this the first time using nutmeg. Had to bake it longer as it was not done after an hour. Made this again and used ground ginger instead of nutmeg and baked for 70 minutes. Perfect.
Hi Sondria how much of the ginger did you use.
Thank you Darlene
Best ever quick bread—threw out all older recipes for similar! Made with Honey Crisp apples-great. 6 Aluminum foil mini
pans–Bake for 30 minutes. We are seniors—one mini loaf shared is perfect. Great Recipe! TRY THIS ONE.
Thank you Bonnie!!
Try Aluminum Mini loaf Pans—dollar store—-Recipe will make 6 loafs—Tie with Ribbon! Great gift******
I love this idea 🙂
Love it!
Yay, thanks Lynn 🙂
My family LOVES this bread. It’s easy to make , you can’t go wrong with this recipe I did cut back on the sugar. But other than that no changes
=)