Get into the fall spirit with the best apple bread recipe! This recipe makes a fluffy dessert bread, loaded with sweet apple chunks. Each bite of this quick bread is a medley of fall spices and is the perfect way to kick off apple season. 

Dessert bread is everything! From a classic banana bread to a more decadent lemon blueberry loaf – we really enjoy homemade sweet breads.

An apple bread loaf with the homemade drizzle on top, cut into slices.

This apple cinnamon bread is so full of flavors! The subtle notes of cinnamon and bursting apple flavor is all brought together in a moist and fluffy loaf. All you need are a few simple steps to get this apple bread in the oven. The finishing touch is a classic glaze that makes this the perfect fall treat.

Apples make the perfect dessert, from bread to homemade apple danishes and even an apple crumble recipe, you can’t go wrong!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy baking. This easy dessert bread comes together with just a few simple step. 
  • Seasonal favorite. This apple bread is a fall-favorite along with our classic pumpkin banana bread
  • Simple ingredients. We love desserts that use pantry staple ingredients that you most likely already have!

Ingredients for Homemade Apple Bread

Apple bread – 

  • Dry ingredients – a mix of all purpose flour, cinnamon, and baking powder. 
  • Sugar – sweetens the bread and gives it a fluffy texture. 
  • Butter – unsalted butter at room temperature.
  • Eggs – room temperature eggs are best for this recipe.
  • Milk – room temperature whole milk is perfect for this recipe.
  • Apples – peeled and diced into chunks. 
  • Nuts –  we love using walnuts and pecans for a nice crunch.
  • Glaze – a homemade buttered brown sugar glaze made thick and creamy with heavy whipping cream. 

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and quantities.

The baked apple bread with the drizzle on top.

What Kind of Apples are Best for Apple Bread?

For this recipe we recommend an apple that is on the more tarte side. Green apples, or granny smith apples help to balance the sweetness of the bread. You can also use honeycrisp apples.

How to Make Apple Bread From Scratch:

A glass bowl with the dry ingredients in it.
  1. Dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, sift together dry ingredients. 
A glass bowl with the batter.

2. Wet ingredients. Beat the sugar and butter together in a separate bowl. Add in the eggs one at a time. Add in the milk and vanilla. 

The glass bowl with the apple bread batter, and apples and nuts folded into it.

3. Combine. Add the dry ingredients into the wet batter. Fold in the apple chunks and nuts.

A load pan with the apple bread batter in it.

4. Bake. Pour the apple bread mixture to a prepared 5-inch loaf pan and bake at 355°F for 50-55 minutes. Allow to cool on a wire rack in the bread pan.

Make the Glaze:

  1. In a saucepan, melt butter, brown sugar, and vanilla. Simmer and remove from heat. Stir in heavy cream and set aside to cool. Once cooled, whisk in the powdered sugar. 
  2. Top the cooled bread with glaze. Finish with extra nuts for a garnish. Slice the bread into thick pieces and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

Slices of apple bread laid on top of each other.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do the apples need to be peeled?

Yes, peel the apples to prevent the skin from separating from the apple bread.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Substitute a gluten-free flour mix for all-purpose flour if you are gluten intolerant!

Is apple bread the same as apple fritter?

Apple fritters are more like a donut while this apple bread is similar to banana bread! The creamy glaze is similar to the one on traditional apple fritter!

Can I use frozen apples? 

Frozen fruit can release too much moisture when baking, so we recommend using fresh apples. 

Is apple bread sweet?

This apple bread is considered a dessert bread and is sweet. The tarte apples help balance the sweetness so it isn’t overwhelming. It’s the perfect fall dessert for people who don’t want anything too sweet.

How do you know if the bread is done baking?

You can use a toothpick to check the center of the bread. If the toothpick comes out clean, then the bread is ready!

How Do You Store Apple Bread?

  • Storage. Apple bread can be stored at room temperature for 1-2 days if wrapped tightly. 
  • Freeze. Apple bread can last longer when stored in the freezer! Wrap the apple bread tightly in plastic wrap place it into a large freezer bag, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw: Place the apple bread in the fridge or countertop overnight and serve!
A plate with the apple bread slices.

More Fall Dessert Recipes

If you enjoyed this apple bread recipe, be sure to try our other easy fall dessert recipes; here are some of our favorites:

If you tried this apple cinnamon bread recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below – we appreciate it!

Apple Bread Recipe

Print
5 from 10 votes
This apple bread recipe is the perfect quick and easy fall dessert. This apple bread has a delicate cinnamon flavor and the bursting apples bring so much flavor to this dessert.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

bread-

  • 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, measured then sifted
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temp (1 stick)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups apples, peeled and diced (3 apples)
  • 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans

icing-

  • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temp
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup powder sugar
  • ¼ tsp vanilla
  • 2 Tbsp heavy whipping cream

Instructions

prepare bread-

  • Prepare your loaf pan by lining it with parchment paper. Spray lightly with baking spray and dust with flour, and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, cinnamon, and baking powder. These will be your dry ingredients.
  • In a separate bowl, beat sugar and butter until light and creamy, about 2 minutes. Continue beating while adding one egg at a time.
  • Pour the milk and vanilla into the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
  • Add the dry ingredients into the wet and fold to combine.
  • Fold the apple chunks and nuts into the batter.
  • Pour the mixture into the bread pan and bake for 50-55 minutes at 355°F.
  • Set the bread on a wire rack to cool completely.

prepare glaze –

  • In a saucepan, melt the butter, brown sugar, and vanilla. Bring to a light simmer before removing the sauce from heat.
  • Stir in heavy whipping cream and set aside to cool.
  • Once the sauce has cooled, stir in the powdered sugar.
  • Once the bread loaf has cooled, drizzle on the icing.

Notes

  • Storage. Apple bread can be stored at room temperature for 1-2 days if wrapped tightly.  
  • Freeze. Apple bread can last longer when stored in the freezer! Wrap the apple bread tightly in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw: Place the apple bread in the fridge or countertop overnight and serve!
 

Nutrition

258kcal Calories43g Carbs3g Protein8g Fat3g Saturated Fat39mg Cholesterol43mg Sodium153mg Potassium1g Fiber27g Sugar185IU Vitamin A1mg Vitamin C57mg Calcium1.3mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Apple Bread Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 258 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 39mg13%
Sodium 43mg2%
Potassium 153mg4%
Carbohydrates 43g14%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 27g30%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 185IU4%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 57mg6%
Iron 1.3mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)