Bring the flavors of fall to your table with this cozy and delicious loaf. Sweet apples, warm cinnamon, and an old-fashioned glaze make it the perfect treat for autumn afternoons. Serve it with a cup of tea or coffee for ultimate comfort!
Ingredients
For the Loaf:
- ⅓ cup light 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
- 2 apples, peeled and chopped (any kind, such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
For the Old-Fashioned Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
1. Prepare the Pan and Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Make the Cinnamon Sugar Mixture:
- In a small bowl, combine the light brown sugar and ground cinnamon.
- Stir well and set aside.
3. Prepare the Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the white sugar and softened butter together until light and creamy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour and baking powder.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in the milk to create a smooth batter.
4. Layer the Loaf:
- Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Evenly spread half of the chopped apples over the batter.
- Sprinkle half of the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture over the apple layer.
- Pour the remaining batter over the top, smoothing it out with a spatula.
- Add the remaining apples and top with the remaining brown sugar-cinnamon mixture.
5. Bake the Loaf:
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
- Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Make the Old-Fashioned Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth and drizzle-worthy. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk (for a thinner glaze) or powdered sugar (for a thicker glaze).
7. Finish and Serve:
- Once the loaf is completely cool, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top.
- Slice and enjoy your cozy autumn treat!
Helpful Tips for Success:
- Apple Selection: Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a bright contrast to the sweet batter, or sweet varieties like Fuji for a naturally sweeter loaf.
- Extra Spice: Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for an even warmer flavor.
- Mix-Ins: Fold in ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter for added crunch.
- Storage: Store the loaf in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 310 kcal per slice
- Servings: Makes 8 slices
This Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf is like autumn in a slice: sweet, spiced, and irresistibly moist. Whether you enjoy it for breakfast, dessert, or a mid-day snack, it’s guaranteed to make your fall afternoons extra cozy. 🍎🍁