Best Homemade Cinnamon Apple Bread

This cinnamon apple bread is the cozy, hearty breakfast you need this fall. After making it dozens of times, I’ve perfected the recipe for you. The trick I discovered is using a mix of granny smith and honeycrisp apples for the perfect balance of tart and sweet. The crispy golden crust and soft, moist crumb will make your kitchen smell like an apple orchard. Keep reading for my tips or jump straight to the recipe. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Raspberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars and Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe.

What You'll Need for Best Homemade Cinnamon Apple Bread

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups peeled and grated apples (about 2 medium apples)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Optional: Cinnamon sugar for sprinkling
• Optional: Cream cheese glaze (optional)

How to Make Best Homemade Cinnamon Apple Bread

1. Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in eggs, one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
6. Fold in apples and sour cream: Fold in grated apples and sour cream until just combined.
7. Pour batter into pan: Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
8. Bake: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Cool and serve: Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before serving.

Storing & Reheating Best Homemade Cinnamon Apple Bread

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Make-ahead tip: This recipe can be made ahead and frozen for up to 2 months.

Freezing Best Homemade Cinnamon Apple Bread

Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat slices in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes. Microwave: Reheat slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: Using a mix of granny smith and honeycrisp apples ensures a perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors.
• Best substitution: You can substitute the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
• Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead and frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Scaling: This recipe can be doubled and baked in two 9×5-inch loaf pans.
• Troubleshooting: If the bread is browning too quickly, tent the pan with aluminum foil after the first 30 minutes of baking.

Best Homemade Cinnamon Apple Bread

⏱

Prep

20 mins

🍳

Cook

50-60 mins

⏳

Total

1 hr 10 mins

🍽

Serves

1 loaf

🥗

Diet

Vegetarian

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups peeled and grated apples (about 2 medium apples)
• 1/2 cup sour cream

Seasonings

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt

Optional Toppings

• Cinnamon sugar for sprinkling
• Cream cheese glaze (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in eggs, one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
6. Fold in apples and sour cream: Fold in grated apples and sour cream until just combined.
7. Pour batter into pan: Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
8. Bake: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Cool and serve: Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before serving.

Notes

• Chef tip: Using a mix of granny smith and honeycrisp apples ensures a perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors.
• Best substitution: You can substitute the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
• Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead and frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Scaling: This recipe can be doubled and baked in two 9×5-inch loaf pans.
• Troubleshooting: If the bread is browning too quickly, tent the pan with aluminum foil after the first 30 minutes of baking.

Storage

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Oven reheat: Reheat slices in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
• Make ahead: This recipe can be made ahead and frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 280
• Protein: 4g
• Fat: 10g
• Carbs: 45g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 20g
• Sodium: 180mg
• Cholesterol: 60mg
• Sat. Fat: 6g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Best Homemade Cinnamon Apple Bread FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Best Homemade Cinnamon Apple Bread and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!