Thank you, dear friend, for joining me in my cozy kitchen today! I’m thrilled to share this Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf, a heartwarming twist on a classic. This delicious loaf—with ribbons of cinnamon sugar and tender bits of apple—is bound to become your next weekend favorite. Don’t forget to subscribe for more soulful recipes straight to your inbox 📩
Overview of Recipe Content
This Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf is perfect for a comforting breakfast, a sweet brunch treat, or an afternoon snack with a warm cuppa. You’ll love the soft crumb, the sweet apple-cinnamon spiral, and the lightly crisp exterior. It tastes like fall in every slice—spiced, gently sweet, and utterly satisfying.
Why you’ll adore it:
- Taste: A soft vanilla-forward bread with fragrant cinnamon swirls and juicy apple pockets.
- Health-ish benefits: Apples add fiber; using light brown sugar keeps sweetness balanced.
- Seasonal pick: Ideal for crisp mornings or cozy holidays.
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅔ cup white sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1¾ tsp baking powder
- ½ cup milk
- 2 apples, peeled and chopped (any variety you love)
For the Old‑Fashioned Glaze
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 Tbsp milk
Tools Needed
- 9×5‑inch loaf pan (greased)
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer (or sturdy whisk)
- Rubber spatula and wooden spoon
- Cooling rack
Substitutions & Add‑Ins
- Swap milk with almond or oat milk
- Use melted coconut or light vegetable oil instead of butter
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans
- Stir in ½ cup raisins or dried cranberries for extra texture
How to Make Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf
- Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease and line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment for easy removal. - Mix Brown Sugar & Cinnamon
Stir together light brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside; this becomes your swirl. - Cream Butter & Sugars
In a larger bowl, beat white sugar and softened butter until pale and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes). Creaming gathers air for a fluffy loaf! - Add Eggs & Vanilla
Beat in eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. Mix in the vanilla extract—your batter will smell heavenly. - Dry Ingredients In
Whisk flour and baking powder together. Gradually fold into your creamed mixture, alternating with milk, until just smooth. - Fold in Apples
Gently stir chopped apples into the batter. They’ll offer juicy bites in every slice! - Layer with Cinnamon Swirl
Pour half the batter into the loaf pan. Sprinkle half the cinnamon-sugar. Add remaining batter, then top with the rest of the swirl. Gently swirl through the top layer using a butter knife for that beautiful effect. - Bake
Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean (a few moist crumbs are perfect!). If the loaf browns too fast, tent with foil after 40 minutes. - Cool Slightly
Let it cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes, then carefully lift it out and cool completely on the rack. - Glaze (Optional but Divine!)
Whisk powdered sugar and milk together. Drizzle over the cooled loaf, letting it drizzle down the sides as the final sweet touch.
What to Serve with Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf
Serve warm slices smeared with butter or cream cheese. Pair with:
- A steaming latte or chai for cozy vibes
- Fresh fruit salad or roasted pears
- Soft-boiled eggs for a balanced brunch
Tips for Making It Perfect
- Don’t overmix after adding flour—overmixing toughens the loaf.
- Soak apples: Toss chopped apples with a dash of lemon juice to prevent browning and stir-in moisture.
- Even swirl: Swirl the cinnamon gently to avoid overmixing batter layers.
- Make ahead: Bake ahead and double-wrap cooled loaf; it stays fresh 2 days at room temperature.
Storage Instructions
- Room temp: Covered, it stays moist for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Slice, flash-freeze on a tray, then bag. Keeps 3 months. Thaw at room temp or reheat from frozen in the toaster or oven.
General Information
This loaf draws from old‑school quick‐bread traditions—a lovely hybrid of cinnamon swirl coffee cake and apple bread. It’s perfect during apple season and makes a thoughtful handmade gift!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use whole-wheat flour?
Yes—replace up to half the flour for a nuttier flavor and added fiber.
What apple varieties are best?
Granny Smith holds its shape; Honeycrisp or Fuji add sweetness and juiciness.
Do I need a glaze?
No, but it adds that classic vintage charm and extra sweetness—totally worth it!
How to prevent the swirl from sinking?
Layer carefully and don’t swirl too deeply into the batter.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Bake in two pans, or one larger pan, increasing bake time to 65–70 minutes.
Conclusion
This delightful Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf is sure to become a family favorite. Its soft, pillowy crumb combined with the zing of apples and warm cinnamon is pure comfort in a slice. Once you’ve mastered it, try my Blueberry Lemon Drizzle Loaf or Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread for more loaf love. Enjoy every crumb, and happy baking!
Interactive Elements
I’d love to hear how yours turned out! Leave a review below or share a photo on Pinterest or tag me at poulefrecipe. Let’s bake delicious memories together!
Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Per Slice (12) |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~240 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | ~34 g |
| Sugars | ~18 g |
| Fat | ~10 g |
| Saturated Fat | ~6 g |
| Fiber | ~1 g |
| Protein | ~3 g |
| Sodium | ~110 mg |
Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
- Yield: 12 slices 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A soft, tender loaf swirled with cinnamon sugar and dotted with juicy apple bits. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack!
Ingredients
⅓ cup light brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
⅔ cup white sugar
½ cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1½ tsp vanilla extract
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1¾ tsp baking powder
½ cup milk
2 apples, peeled and chopped
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5 loaf pan.
2. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon; set aside.
3. Cream butter and white sugar until fluffy.
4. Add eggs and vanilla, beating until combined.
5. Whisk flour and baking powder; add alternately with milk.
6. Fold in chopped apples.
7. Layer half batter, sprinkle swirl, add rest of batter, top with remaining swirl and swirl gently.
8. Bake 50–60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then on a wire rack.
10. Whisk glaze and drizzle over cooled loaf.
Notes
Don’t overmix the batter after adding flour to keep loaf tender.
Toss apples with lemon juice to prevent browning.
Tent with foil if top browns too fast.
Loaf keeps 3 days at room temperature or freeze slices for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 55 mins
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
