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Moist Cinnamon Swirl Apple Bread with Brown Sugar Crust

Moist Cinnamon Swirl Apple Bread with Brown Sugar Crust

The ultimate cozy autumn breakfast quick bread! Extra-tender, spiced vanilla loaf loaded with juicy Honeycrisp apple chunks, layered with a gooey ribbon of cinnamon brown sugar, and topped with a crackly caramelized brown sugar crust that bakes into pure perfection.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 10 thick slices
Course: Autumn Baking, Breakfast, Brunch, Snack
Cuisine: American Autumn Baking, Cozy Breakfast
Calories: 295
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

For the Cinnamon Brown Sugar Swirl & Crust
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1 1/2 tbsp ground Saigon cinnamon fragrant spice
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter melted, for topping drizzle
For the Tender Spiced Apple Loaf Batter
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • 1 tsp baking powder for rise
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda for tender crumb
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt flavor balance
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 3/4 cup granulated white sugar for sweet vanilla crumb
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract flavor enhancer
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt secret for ultra-moist loaf
  • 1/4 cup whole milk moisture balance
For the Spiced Fresh Apple Inclusions
  • 2 large Honeycrisp apples peeled and diced into 1/4-inch cubes
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour to coat diced apples

Method
 

Step-by-Step Cooking Walkthrough
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8.5x4.5-inch metal loaf pan and line with parchment paper with overhang handles.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk brown sugar and cinnamon for swirl. In another bowl, toss diced apples with 1 tablespoon flour to prevent sinking.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg.
  4. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar for 2 minutes until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then beat in vanilla, sour cream, and milk.
  5. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing on low just until combined. Gently fold in floured diced apples with a spatula.
  6. Spread half of batter into pan. Sprinkle 2/3 of cinnamon sugar over top. Spread remaining batter on top, sprinkle remaining cinnamon sugar, and gently swirl with a knife.
  7. Bake at 350°F for 50 to 60 minutes until a skewer inserted in center comes out clean (tent loosely with foil after 35 minutes if browning fast). Cool 15 minutes in pan, then lift onto wire rack to slice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 295kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 4gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 195mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 2gSugar: 26gCalcium: 45mgIron: 1.5mg

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