As the leaves turn golden and the air takes on a crisp edge, there’s nothing quite like the comforting embrace of warm, spiced baked goods to celebrate the essence of autumn. Our Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf encapsulates this feeling in every bite, making it the perfect treat for cozy afternoons. This recipe brings together the classic flavors of apples and cinnamon in a moist, flavorful loaf that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat. Let’s dive into the details of creating this autumnal delight.
Ingredients
Before we begin, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients. For this recipe, you will need:
- ⅓ cup brown sugar: Adds a rich, molasses-like sweetness and helps create the cinnamon swirl.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: The quintessential autumn spice, lending warmth and depth.
- ⅔ cup white sugar: Provides sweetness and helps in creating a tender crumb.
- ½ cup butter, softened: Adds richness and moisture to the loaf.
- 2 large eggs: Essential for structure and binding the ingredients together.
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor with its aromatic notes.
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The base of our loaf, providing structure.
- 1 ¾ teaspoons baking powder: Ensures the loaf rises well and has a light texture.
- ½ cup milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth batter.
- 1 apple, peeled and chopped: Brings a burst of fruity flavor and natural sweetness.
Directions
Now, let’s go through the step-by-step process of bringing this loaf to life.
Preheat and Prep
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). This ensures it’s ready to bake as soon as your batter is prepared.
- Prepare the Loaf Pan: Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan. This step is crucial to ensure that your loaf doesn’t stick and comes out easily once baked.
Create the Cinnamon Swirl Mixture
- Mix Brown Sugar and Cinnamon: In a small bowl, combine the ⅓ cup of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. This mixture will be used to create the delightful swirl and topping in the loaf.
Prepare the Batter
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the ⅔ cup of white sugar and ½ cup of softened butter together using an electric mixer. Continue until the mixture is smooth and creamy, indicating that the butter and sugar are well combined and aerated.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Add the 1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla extract and mix well. This helps to evenly distribute the flavor throughout the batter.
Combine Dry Ingredients and Milk
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour and 1 ¾ teaspoons of baking powder. Stir these together to ensure the baking powder is evenly distributed throughout the flour.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Milk: Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed butter mixture, stirring to combine. As the mixture begins to come together, add the ½ cup of milk. Continue mixing until the batter is smooth and free of lumps.
Assemble the Loaf
- Layer the Batter and Apples: Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spread it evenly.
- Add Apple and Cinnamon Swirl: Sprinkle half of the chopped apple and half of the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture over the batter. Lightly pat the apple mixture into the batter to help it stick.
- Repeat Layers: Pour the remaining batter over the apple layer, spreading it evenly. Top with the remaining chopped apple and brown sugar-cinnamon mixture. Lightly pat the apples into the batter. Using a finger or spoon, swirl the brown sugar mixture through the apples and batter to create a marbled effect.
Bake and Enjoy
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean, the loaf is ready.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, slice and enjoy the comforting flavors of fall.
Tips and Variations
- Apple Varieties: Feel free to experiment with different types of apples. Tart varieties like Granny Smith can add a pleasant contrast to the sweetness, while sweeter varieties like Fuji or Honeycrisp will blend seamlessly with the brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Add-Ins: For a bit of crunch, consider adding a handful of chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, to the batter or sprinkled on top.
- Spices: Enhance the autumnal flavor by adding a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the cinnamon mixture.
Conclusion
Our Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf is more than just a recipe; it’s a celebration of autumn in every slice. The combination of tender, buttery batter, sweet and tart apples, and warm cinnamon creates a comforting, nostalgic treat perfect for the season. Whether enjoyed with a cup of coffee in the morning, as an afternoon snack, or as a cozy dessert, this loaf is sure to become a fall favorite in your household. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let the baking begin—fall is officially in the air!
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Fall in a Slice: Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (approximately 12 slices) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful homemade apple cinnamon swirl loaf that combines the sweetness of apples with the warmth of cinnamon. This moist and flavorful bread is perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack.
Ingredients
⅓ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
⅔ cup white sugar
½ cup butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ¾ teaspoons baking powder
½ cup milk
1 apple, peeled and chopped
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl.
Beat white sugar and butter together in a bowl using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, until incorporated; add vanilla extract.
Combine flour and baking powder together in a bowl; stir into creamed butter mixture. Mix milk into batter until smooth.
Pour half the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
Add half the apples and half the brown sugar mixture to the batter. Lightly pat apple mixture into batter.
Pour remaining batter over apple layer; top with remaining apples and brown sugar mixture. Lightly pat apples into batter; swirl brown sugar mixture through apples using a finger or spoon.
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes.
Enjoy
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60-70 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg