Easy Apple Cinnamon Quick Bread Recipe: Moist and Delicious Every Time

This apple cinnamon quick bread is one of our all-time favorites! Packed with fresh apple flavor and a comforting cinnamon aroma, it’ll fill your kitchen with heavenly scents.

It’s also simple to make and perfect for a cozy breakfast or a tasty afternoon treat. Trust me. You’ll find yourself whipping up this quick bread every fall.

sliced quick bread with diced apples and glaze.

Apple Cinnamon Quick Bread

Fresh apples, plenty of cinnamon, and a simple glaze to top it all off. This quick bread is easy to make and makes your house smell amazing.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Serving Size 8 servings

Equipment

  • 8.5. x 4.5 x 2.5 loaf pan
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer

Ingredients 

For the Bread

  • ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • ½ cup milk or buttermilk
  • cups diced peeled apples (about 2 medium apples)

For the Glaze

  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1-2 tablespoons milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions 

Make the Bread

  • Prep. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
  • Make the batter. In a large bowl, beat the oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs until smooth and well blended. After that, gradually add the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Then, beat until just combined. A few lumps are okay, but ensure there are no dry spots.
    adding. dry ingredients and milk alternately to batter.
  • Add the apples. Stir the diced apples with a spatula to make sure everything is incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
    batter before and after mixing in apples.
  • Bake. Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
    loaf before and after baking.

Make the Glaze

  • Mix. While the bread is cooling, prepare the glaze. Whisk together the confectioners' sugar, 1 tablespoon of milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. If the glaze is too thick, add more milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
  • Drizzle. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread. Allow it to set for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
    small bowl of glaze being mixed and drizzled on top.

Video

Notes

Use firm apples such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor and texture. These apples hold up well during baking and add a nice mix of sweet and sour flavors.
You can use melted butter instead if you prefer, but oil is easier to work with and will make a moister cake.
Make sure that your apples are evenly diced to make sure they cook evenly.
Add some chopped nuts for extra crunch if you want to take this recipe further.
For a special touch, sprinkle a simple streusel topping made from butter, sugar, and flour over the batter before baking. This gives the bread a delightful crunch on top.
Calories: 379kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 368mg | Potassium: 115mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 456IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 107mg | Iron: 2mg

More Tips:

Remember not to overmix when combining the wet and dry ingredients, as this can make the bread dense and tough.

Since oven temperatures vary, check your bread at the 50-minute mark. Insert a toothpick into the center; your bread is ready if it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs.

To make sure the glaze sets nicely, make sure the bread is completely cool before adding it. The glaze may melt and run off if the bread is too warm.

If you’d like, you can add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the batter for a more complex flavor.

quick bread with apples on cutting board.

Serving Suggestions

This delicious quick bread is best served with freshly brewed coffee, warm apple cider, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or sliced fresh fruit, such as berries or grapes.

Key Ingredients and Tools

To make this quick bread, you’ll need a few important tools and ingredients for the best results. Here are some key items to keep in mind:

ingredients on marble counter.
  • Vegetable oil: This keeps the bread moist and tender; you can use melted butter for a richer flavor.
  • Baking powder: Essential for helping the bread rise properly, and you can find this in the baking aisle of any grocery store.
  • Diced peeled apples: Using fresh, firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp gives the best texture and flavor; peeling them prevents tough skin in the bread.
  • Confectioners’ sugar: Used for making the glaze, this fine sugar dissolves smoothly; it’s located in the baking section.
  • 9×5-inch loaf pan: The correct size ensures even baking; if you don’t have one, you can use two smaller pans but adjust the baking time.

These tools and ingredients will make your baking experience smoother, making your quick bread perfect every time.

If you don’t have these ingredients for the recipe, here are some alternatives you can use:

  • Vegetable oil: You can use melted butter instead for a richer taste.
  • Buttermilk: Use regular milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice.
  • Granulated sugar: Swap granulated sugar with coconut sugar for a slightly different taste.
  • All-purpose flour: Instead of all-purpose flour, try using whole wheat flour for a denser, healthier bread.

Remember that these substitutes might change the recipe, but you can always try different options to see what you like best!

Storage Instructions

Keep the bread in a sealed container or wrap it tightly in plastic.
It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days.

For longer storage, put the bread in a sealed container and store it in the fridge. It can last in the fridge for up to 1 week.

To freeze, wrap the bread tightly in plastic and then in foil. You can also put the wrapped bread in a freezer-safe bag. It will be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To defrost, leave the bread at room temperature for a few hours or overnight in the fridge.

Fresh pasta is versatile. Toss it with a simple sauce like marinara, pesto, or just olive oil, garlic, and parmesan. The pasta is the star, so keep the accompaniments simple.

I hope you enjoy making and sharing this apple cinnamon quick bread. It’s a simple, delicious treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, this bread will surely please everyone.

Try it out, and don’t forget to leave a comment below to let me know how it turned out for you!

finished loaf on parchmment.
picture of smiling female

By Katie Shaw

Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.

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4 Comments

  1. I made this twice last week. Had my son and great grandsons for soup and the apple bread. Only one piece left. The recipe is so easy that I made it again for jut my husband and myself. Thanks for a great recipe that used my granny apples.